Jenna Randall, Houston Texas

"!!GIRL POWER!!" is a good phrase to begin with when talking about one of my best friends Jenna. Not everyone can call this seriously sharp, motivated, effortlessly gorgeous, passionate and loving girl their close friend, and for that, I am extremely grateful. From Houston, TX, this power woman is as international as can be. She did her JYA in Madrid, lived there after graduating from Tulane (which is where I met her) and now lives in Peru and just got done with her work contract at Amnesty International. There are very few people I know personally who I can look at and say "they're going to save the world" and she's one of them.

Her style, I think, can be best described as sporty boho and the details of her looks follow.

• Picture 1: Sweater - knit by her grandma(aww!), boots - boutique in Brighton, England.
• Picture 2: Marrakech Central Market, Morrocco.
• Picture 4: On J: Shirt - H&M, headscarf - India. On M Madrid: shirt - boutique in Fuencarral Market, Madrid. The brand is the character shown on the shirt(cool!). Pictured in Ibiza.
• Picture 5: Jacket - Zara, pashmina - Turkey.
• Picture 6: Shirt - Abercrombie. Madrid, Spain.
• Picture 7: On J: Shirt - Forever 21. New Orleans ♥

Couscous With Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Feta and Mint

Ingredients 1 cup whole-wheat couscous, uncooked 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed 1/2 cup minced sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, with 1 tablespoon oil from jar 4 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint Salt and ground black pepper to taste Directions Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add couscous, remove from heat, cover and let stand 5 minutes.Transfer couscous to a large bowl and add peas, sun-dried tomatoes, reserved oil, feta cheese and mint. Toss to combine. Season with salt and black pepper. Divide evenly on 4 plates and serve warm, or refrigerate and serve chilled. _________________________________________________________ So my healthier take on this recipe from shape.com is to minus the cheese, substitute the sundried tomatoes in oil with fresh tomatoes (de-seeded) and olive oil. I also add diced yellow peppers and pine nuts to make it more mediterranean. DELIC!!!! Source: shape.com

Genius designer: JJ Valaya

Source: Ad - Vogue India, October 2008.

Article - Vogue India, June 2008.

Athletic grace

Doutzen Kroes is from The Netherlands and one of the main models for Victoria's Secret. She is considered to have 'too large thighs' in the fashion world - yeah, okay! It is just so refreshing to see an atheletic build rather than the same body type. And it's kind of comforting to know that she has to work out like crazy to stay in this shape as opposed to being naturally toned.

Source: Vogue US, April 2009.

celebritiesmodels.blogspot.com

Man style: Tim Hague

I love love love when straight men are fashion forward.

Meeting a stylish, charming and smart British boy with most excellent manners is the last thing I expected when I evacuated for Hurricane Katrina to one of my best friend's house in Houston. Tim had picked Tulane (in New Orleans) to do his year abroad which of course didn't happen thanks to the cursed storm. After working in finance in NY, this Royal Holloway Alum is currently travelling around the United States, gracing people with his hotness. Source: men.style.com fashionisto.com nitrolicious.com visit4info.com

Genius designer: J. Mendel

If you are annoyed by my "fashion tardee", you will have to forgive me because all tv shows are aired late in the UAE (it's pretty painful). I was watching the Rachel Zoe Project (Fashion Week To Die!), where she is visiting Gilles Mendel to preview his collection (Runway Fall 2008). And when he shows her the black shimmery dress (left) with the removeable skirt-like belt with pockets, I died! The strap is so sleek and has this cool silver buckle that you can't really see in the picture. While walking on the runway, the model didn't really demonstrate the best part about the outfit so I took it upon myself to make people aware of its coolness. Although late, I hope you will appreciate and covet it as much as I. I also went through the 2009 Fall collection and the skirt makes an evloved appearance. I want to die again. Source: style.com mb.fashionweek.com style-television.com

Age of Obama: Michelle O.

Source: Grazia Middle East.Volume 5, Issue 173

www.thehuffingtonpost.com

www.strylefrizz.com

Do it in Paris

This site covers everything a girl needs to know about the fashion capital in a format that is as stylish as the clothes, places and people it features. Très Chic ! Source: http://www.doitinparis.com/

Juxtapose this

Vogue India's (in)famous editorial that sparked major controversy.

Click here to read the New York Times article.

And here to read imomus's views and information on similiar photo shoots.

Source: http://imomus.livejournal.com/397381.html

Vogue India, August 2008

Decor: City Chic

Source: Elle decor and S

Effortlessly hot

Adriana Lima is my favourite model. I am obsessed with her. O.b.s.e.s.s.e.d! She's one of the handful of models in the industry who doesn't look like they are dying.

I like that in this shoot it looks like it's a day from her life. And what a fantastic life that would be, wearing Chanel, YSL, Balmain, Bulgari and Cartier all over the place!

Source: Elle Italy, June 2008

My dream body: Jessica Biel

I have not been blessed with good height and metabolism genes and have to work my butt off to stay fit. Until recently I would excercise and diet just to look good until I realized that it's my lifestyle that needs a permanent make-over. It is exhausting to go to the gym 6 days a week and eat healthy (considering my love for all kinds of food!); and that's why I always look for inspiration. My ideal body type is athetlic, but graceful and that's why I love Jessica Biel for her consistency. Here is how she does it...

Fitness Regime

Discipline - Jessica Biel exercises for an hour each session and 6 sessions a week. In a week, she does three days of cardio and spends three alternate days focusing on muscle development and toning. Rotation - In addition working out at the gym, Biel does outdoor activities. She has been seen wrapping a rubber exercise band around both ankles and takes lateral steps. She also does sprints on the track, martial arts and kickboxing. Compound Exercises - Jessica Biel does full body movement exercises. She trains with a medicine ball like doing lunges and twists while holding the ball.

Diet- She definitely does not cut down her food intake. Instead of junk food, she eats organic and natural food.

Workout:

Warm Up - 5 minutes of warm-up on the treadmill, followed by 3-5 mins light stretching. One of her favorite warm-ups is the walking lunge. This stretches the larger leg and glute muscles. With feet together, lunge first with right leg. Bring left foot alongside right. Lunge with left. Do 8 to 10 repetitions per leg. Cardio - First, she jogs for half a mile to warm up. After that, she does her intervals with 6 sprints. She rests about a minute between each sprint. She sprints for: 2 sets of 200 meter sprints 2 sets of 150 meter sprints 2 sets of 100 meter sprints This high intensity interval sprint is to prevent her body to get used to her normal cardio done in a steady state at the gym - it burns more body fat. Plyometrics training - Plyometrics is a specialized, high intensity training technique used to develop athletic power (strength and speed). Biel jumps from the bottom step of a flight of at least 20 stairs to the third 3rd. Another plyometric-type exercise she does is jumping squats - squat on a balance board, use a burst of power to leap into the air, then land back on the board and continue the squat position. She did 12 repetitions of this move that tightens her leg and core muscles. Weight Training - Her weight workout changes from week to week. Sometimes, she isolates a body part, such as her shoulders. Other times, Biel focuses on opposing body parts, such as chest and back, biceps and triceps, or quadriceps and hamstrings. She also trains with her body weight by squating, doing pull ups and push ups. She uses light weights but more repetitions. Her trainer admitted that it was more like a cardio workout. In fact, in order to burn fat it is advised to train in this manner. Abs - Leg raises, Russian Twists and crunches. Sample Diet: Breakfast: 1 cup of oatmeal with handful of berries or diced apple and cinnamon, and a side of protein (typically one egg scrambled with three egg whites). Snack: 1 slice whole wheat toast with almond butter and sliced bananas on top. Lunch: Vitamin-rich salad (spinach, asparagus, broccoli) dressed with lemon and a teaspoon of olive oil or vinaigrette plus with 5-6 oz of chicken . Snack: A banana or apple or strawberries or soy-based protein drinks made with nonfat milk or protein bars or a dozen unsalted almonds. Dinner: 6oz. of fish, plate full of veggies, 1/2 cup of low-glycemic basmati rice. A couple of pieces of dark chocolate. Biel always goes for non-processed food. She eats complex carbs at the beginning of the day and tapers off. Although Biel was in good shape to begin with, she lost 10 pounds and reduced her body fat by 10 percent before shooting "Blade Trinity". She does not even have a scale at home! I have successfully incorporated some of these 'practices' into my regime and they work!Examples: push-ups, lunges, light weights + more reps, and no carbs at night!

Source: Munfitnessblog.com