This week we have the Ivory top in Green, paired with the Lori Capri in Black. The Ivory top is fantastic to wear, and extremely versatile. While I think this top is comfortable and perfect for anyone to throw over her sports bra, I find it particularly appealing for pregnant women. The empire waistline, and the long flutter hem that pulls away from the body are both comfortable and flattering for a pregnant woman. However, that is that nature of bamboo fabric - always flattering, cool when you need it, warm when you want it, and always comfortable! So I encourage everyone to take a look at the Ivory top, and consider it as an addition to your personal lounge-wear collection.

xoxo -IVEE

Ivory Top: $62 Lori Capri: $80

Ivory Top: $62 Vivian Pant: $92

]]> http://www.iveestyle.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=583 http://www.iveestyle.com/blog/?p=578 http://www.iveestyle.com/blog/?p=578#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:12:50 +0000 admin http://www.iveestyle.com/blog/?p=578 This is it ladies, the last week of the Power House Series. Now I hope you have been working your abs each week. If you have, this criss cross exercise won’t be too difficult. This is a great one because it works your obliques. Those side muscles are important for your Power House. Now that you have the complete series, you can work it into your routine two to three times per week. If you do this for the next two months, you are sure to have a powerful Power House! Enjoy, xoxo - Ivee.

Exercise 5:

Criss Cross

Goal: Tone and stretch obliques

How to Do It:

1. Lie on back
2. Pull knees into the chest
3. Place hands behind the head
4. Extend the left leg out to 45 degrees
5. Twist left elbow to the right knee
6. Change sides extend the right leg
7. Touch the right elbow to the left knee
8. Repeat

Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Keep the lower back to the floor
2. Do not roll from one hip to another
3. Lengthen the extended leg away from the body
4. Touch the elbow to the knee or just outside the knee
5. Extend the elbow behind head
6. Keep abdominals engaged

Do 1-6 sets.

Double Straight Leg Stretch

Goal:  Strengthen lower abdominals and back

How to Do It:

1. Lie onto back
2. Extend both legs to the ceiling
3. Place both hands behind the head
4. Engage abdominal muscles
5. Press back into the floor
6. Lift head up stretching neck forward
7. Lower the legs toward the floor
8. Lift legs quickly

Do 5-10 repetitions

Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Keep abdominals engaged
2. Do not arch the back
3. Keep back pressed into the floor
4. Keep shoulders lifted
5. Keep thighs, bottom and heels together

Exercise 3: Single Straight Leg Stretch

Goal:  Strengthen upper and lower abdominals

How to Do It:

1. Lie onto back
2. Pull knees into chest
3. Straighten legs toward the ceiling
4. Lower left leg to 45 degrees
5. Lift head and shoulders
6. Grab the right leg with both hands and pull twice
7. Change legs and pull the left leg twice
8. Repeat

Do 5-10 sets.

Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Do not arch spine
2. Keep back flat
3. Do not lean too much on non-working side
4. Begin movement from the upper legs, hips and bottom
5. Try to straighten the legs

Exercise 2:

Double Leg Stretch

Goal:  Tone strengthen the lower back and powerhouse

How to Do It:

1. Lie onto back
2. Pull knees into chest
3. Legs extend to 45 degrees
4. Arms reach long by sides of body
5. Lift head up
6. Arms reach back toward ears and circle around to the sides of body
7. Reach past knees and pull the legs into the chest
8. Repeat

Do 5-10 repetitions.

Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Do not arch spine
2. Press ribcage into the floor
3. Keep abdominals contracted
4. Tighten bottom

Power House to Brick House

Every house must be built on a solid foundation.  How solid is your power house?  You might ask what is a power house?   Your power house is indeed your foundation.  The power house is also known as neutral spine, the core and deeper abdominal muscles.  There are many names, but let’s keep things simple.  The power house is what supports us standing upright and keeps us balanced throughout activity and movement.  More importantly it is the area that most of us are always aiming to improve.  Developing a strong power house will help you lose belly fat and obtain flatter and stronger abdominals.

Exercise 1:

Single Leg Stretch

Goal: Strengthen upper and lower abdominals

How to Do It:

1. Lie on back

2. Pull knees into chest

3. Hold below right knee with left hand and hold right ankle with right hand

4. Extend left leg to 45 degrees

5. Lift head up

6. Lengthen neck forward looking past the belly button

7. Change legs and hands pulling in left leg

Repeat

Do 5-10 sets.

Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Do not arch in spine
2. Press ribcage in the floor
3. Keep abdominals contracted
4. Tighten bottom

NOTE:  If your back continues to arch during the exercise lift the legs higher they may be too close to the floor.

This week we are featuring the Kayla Tunic in black paired with the Stella Capri in White. The great thing about the Kayla Tunic is the fit. The wide band hugs the hip to prevent riding up. The cap sleeve style and zipper that meets the belly button allow for breathability and versatility. You can run with this top as is, or use it for extra warmth over your tank or sports bra. The hip zip pockets allow you to store a credit card, cash, or keys if you are going to be gone of a while. The Stella capri is great to wear alone or underneath running shorts for extra support. Enjoy the photos! See you next week.

xoxo IVEE

It’s that time… the spring collection is just about ready, so we are going to give our readers a sneak preview of some of the items! The spring collection, as we have mentioned, is broken up between “active” and “lounge.” Through the previews that we show, you’ll see the more casual “soft dressing” direction that IVEE is leaning toward. We hope you enjoy the sneak peaks as much as we enjoy sharing them with you!

Drumroll please… Meet our new favorite coverup - the Grace Wrap. This wrap is quite fabulous. It can be thrown on while running errands or lounging in the house to keep you a bit warmer. Or, it works great to put over your workout top (say the Tami Tank and Stretch Denim Leggings, pictured here) while heading to the gym. This wrap looks great loose, or can be tied in the back for a more secure look. As always, the soft combination of bamboo and stretch of spandex makes this completely irresistible! Try it out, and you’ll never want to take it off.

We’d like to thank all of the bloggers for the fantastic posts about IVEE over the holiday season. We’ve had a whirlwind of a year, and all the blog posts were a perfect way to end it. Thank you to Bethany from LA Stylist Mom, Kelly from Design Crush, Charlotte from The Great Fitness Experiment, and Kristina with Spreadshirt. I hope all of you have a fantastic new year! Hopefully IVEE can help everyone with their fitness resolutions (I know it will help me!).

On another note, I was in San Diego for Christmas and had a great opportunity to go ziplining at the San Diego Zoo. I actually wore my black Trinity Bamboo hoodie for the ride. It kept me warm, but was thin enough so it didn’t feel bulky or uncomfortable while I was flying through the air. ; ) Take a look at a picture, it may give you a little chuckle!

Don’t forget to check with us in the new year to see the new spring styles. Expect to see a LOT more bamboo for comfort and style! And don’t forget to join our Facebook fanpage and follow us on twitter @Ivee_Style for updates and insider information.

xoxo -Dana

There should be a bunch of studio owners and some other vendors so this should be a great networking event as well. Can’t wait to see all of you!

xoxo IVEE