Soul & Body – Michelle Rivera Lifestyle https://michellerivera.com Official Blog of Michelle Rivera Tue, 16 Mar 2021 20:47:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.3 Interview With Melissa Bernstein, Co-Founder of Prestigious Toy Company, Melissa & Doug and Author of New Book LifeLines https://michellerivera.com/interview-with-melissa-bernstein-co-founder-of-prestigious-toy-company-melissa-doug/ https://michellerivera.com/interview-with-melissa-bernstein-co-founder-of-prestigious-toy-company-melissa-doug/#respond Tue, 16 Mar 2021 09:45:00 +0000 https://michellerivera.com/?p=14538 When I picture a successful woman like Melissa whose toy empire (Melissa & Doug, with her husband Doug is worth half a billion dollars, I imagine that she has the perfect life or at least something pretty close to it.  However, despite Melissa's successful business, 28 year marriage, children, and beautiful home, she had a secret that she carried within her, it was her lifelong battle with severe depression and anxiety.

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 ‘Melissa & Doug’ toys are beloved by so many children and parents. My children have enjoyed their toys and back in December when I posted my 2020 Holiday Gift Guide, of course a Melissa & Doug toy landed on the list. That’s why when I was given the opportunity to share with you an interview with Co-Founder Melissa Bernstein of Melissa & Doug about her new book LIFELINES: An Inspirational Journey from Profound Darkness to Radiant Light, I was so excited to do so. 

Melissa Bernstein, Co-Founder of 'Melissa & Doug' Toys and Author of LifeLines
LifeLines by Melissa Bernstein will be out in March of 2021

When I picture a successful woman like Melissa whose toy empire, with her husband Doug is worth half a billion dollars, I imagine that she has the perfect life or at least something pretty close to it.  However, despite Melissa’s successful business, 28 year marriage, children, and beautiful home, she had a secret that she carried within her, it was her lifelong battle with severe depression and anxiety.

Mental health awareness is very important to me because I myself have had my own bout with anxiety and even situational depression at times throughout my life. And with depression and anxiety being at an all time high right now during this pandemic, I think stories like Melissa’s are very important to share, so I hope you all enjoy the interview.

Q&A WITH MELISSA BERNSTEIN

1. From the outside, your life looks perfect: you started a business from scratch, used your creativity to design toys, and made hundreds of millions of dollars doing it. You’ve been married for 28 years, have 6 kids, 2 dogs, a cat, a beautiful house. Did the fear of shattering the image others have of you make it harder for you to seek help?

 Melissa:

Anytime you open yourself up and let people see a truer you, it’s scary. But I think in many ways, the ability I have to shatter the image of outward “success” is actually a gift. On paper, I had everything you could ever want, but I was still miserable because I hadn’t accepted myself. At some point, the suffering becomes so great that you have to surrender. You have to say, I can no longer deny this despair, I have to dive in. I decided to reach out to one of my favorite podcasts, The Good Life Project, and share my story. I was terrified, but I also felt crazily, strangely empowered. After the episode aired, I received hundreds of letters saying things like ‘You spoke to me, this is exactly how I feel, you gave words to something I’ve been feeling my entire life.” I felt a lot of communion with all the people who wrote to me. I spent my entire life thinking that no one knew what I was going through, so this was really powerful. It took me 6 months, but I wrote back to every single person who wrote. It was a tremendously meaningful experience. That’s why I’ve included my personal email in every copy of this book—I want to have this conversation with anyone who wants to reach out.

 2. What has this journey been like for you? And what made you want to support people dealing with mental health challenges?

 Melissa:

For five decades of my life, I was racing outward, looking for success and validation. I was imprisoned by my own perfectionism. It was only as I got older, and the cry of my own soul to be seen and accepted got louder and louder, that I finally started my personal journey inward. It’s been the most incredible, profound experience, and I felt compelled to show others that path as well. If I could take my mental anguish and channel it in a way that gave my life meaning and made me want to get out of bed each day, then I knew deeply in my heart that others could do the same.

3. You talk in the book about the depression and anxiety you lived with even as a young child. Do you think those experiences gave you special insight as a toy designer?

Melissa:  

Being a highly sensitive person has many not-so-positive aspects, but also allows me to be very attuned to people. I channel it into my verses, where I try to take really big things that are complicated and hard to understand into something very simple. I do that with toys, too. Toys had gotten very complicated, masked in bells and whistles, and I tried to distill them and make the experience of engaging with a toy and having it captivate your imagination the most powerful thing. Our toys are very straightforward; they’re not hard to understand. I always called them ‘low skill, high impact’, so that they would quickly engage a child in the beautiful experience of play.

 4. How has your immediate family reacted to learning about the depth of your depression and anxiety?

Melissa:

This was a very deep secret that I hid from everyone, and until the dots started connecting, I didn’t even understand it myself. But when I opened up to my family about it, they were very understanding. I was worried about two of my daughters because I didn’t want them to see themselves in me and then think, “Oh, my gosh, I’m doomed.” But they were both really chill about it, which was incredibly freeing. They were like, “Okay, whatever, this is who you are…so are you going to drive me to my practice?” Nothing dramatically changed except that I could see a little more compassion in their eyes. I have many flaws as a parent, but my biggest is that I wasn’t able to fully give emotionally to my kids because I was so repressed. I gave with my actions but I never was able to express how I felt about them. And that was because my own emotional well was empty, which made it really hard to bestow that honest love on others. So I was happy that—and no excuse, I take full ownership of it—but it comforted me that my children could understand it had nothing to do with them.

5. What is your ultimate goal for LIFELINES—the book and the online hub? What does success look like for you?

Melissa: 

I want those who are in darkness to know they aren’t alone. I want those folks who are truly struggling, who feel like there’s no meaning in their lives, to know that there is a group of people—a community—that sees them and accepts them as they truly are. We want to create a community that accepts people in their totality: in their ups and their downs, their good and their bad. People say you have to love yourself before you can love others, but I think it can work the other way too. If you have a community that fully accepts you, I think you can begin to find that acceptance within yourself.

6. How will your approach be different than some others who are trying to help people in the mental health space?

Melissa:

One of the words that best describes LifeLines is “duality”. In society today, we try so hard to show only the shiny side of life and make other people believe that everything has to be perfect. But being human is imperfect. And part of self-acceptance is recognizing that fact. Striving for an ideal you can never achieve leads to utter misery. We have to realize that every day is going to have its share of failures and mistakes, and that’s okay. I admire women who are brash and confident and ready to take on the world, but that’s not who I am. I’m an introvert and sometimes we lack a voice. Despite the personal success, I’m still the kind of person who’s terrified to go to a sporting event because I don’t like social interaction. I’m the woman who’s running with toilet paper stuck to her shoe and something in her teeth. This is all I got—take it or leave it! It took me 50 years to learn that was okay.

The only promise we will give the Lifelines community is that we will show you that you are not alone. We will support you without judgment. We can’t promise answers. All we can do is show you that there is light within you if you have the openness, curiosity, and self-awareness to take the journey inward. We will support you and offer resources and tools to remain steadfast in the face of everything life throws your way.

You can Pre-Order LifeLines HERE!

BOOK INFO:

Title: LIFELINES: An Inspirational Journey from Profound Darkness to

Radiant Light

Author: Melissa Bernstein

Publisher: LifeLines, LLC

Pub Date: March 16, 2021

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Melissa Bernstein, Co-Founder of 'Melissa & Doug' Toys and Author of LifeLines
Melissa Bernstein, Co-Founder of ‘Melissa & Doug’ Toys and Author of LifeLines

LIFELINES is an unfiltered and authentic reckoning with how Melissa’s anxiety and depression—which started in childhood and continue to this day—have manifested and how she coped. Born of a desire to forge community, LIFELINES features Melissa’s story, as well as three of the “lifelines” that saved her: the rhyming verses that have been filling her head for decades (many of which became her mantras), her deep connection to nature (depicted throughout the book with awe-inspiring photography), and stories of how she wrangled her pain into positivity through the act of creating toys. Melissa is sharing her innermost experience and the lifelines that saved her because millions of Americans are struggling with mental health issues—now more than ever—and she believes her personal story can inspire and bring light to those shrouded in darkness.

The publication of LIFELINES also heralds the launch of LifeLines.com an online community, resource center, and content hub which Melissa and Doug Bernstein are developing and underwriting to offer support and authentic connection for those on their own journeys toward mindfulness and a sense of purpose and meaning.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melissa Bernstein, Co-Founder of 'Melissa & Doug' Toys and Author of LifeLines
Melissa Bernstein, Co-Founder of ‘Melissa & Doug’ Toys and Author of LifeLines

Melissa Bernstein, along with her husband Doug, is the Co-Founder of the toy company Melissa & Doug, which has created over 5,000
children’s products and sold billions of dollars of toys since its inception. Raised by educators, Melissa and Doug started the business
in their garage in 1988, and they’ve been on a mission ever since to provide open-ended, inventive, non-technologically driven playthings for young children. Throughout Melissa’s remarkable career, she kept secret her lifelong battle with severe depression and anxiety. She reveals her struggles in LIFELINES, her first book, which she wrote to help others who are also suffering. Melissa’s book heralds the launch of LifeLines.com, an online ecosystem she and Doug are underwriting to support those seeking support, guidance, and community on their mental health journeys. Melissa lives in Connecticut with Doug and their six children.

fOLLOW Melissa On Social

Instagram @MelissaBernsteinOfficial and @seeklifelines

 

 

 

  

 

    

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My Vision/Dream Board….Manifesting My Dreams Into Reality. https://michellerivera.com/my-vision-dream-board-manifesting-my-dreams-into-reality/ https://michellerivera.com/my-vision-dream-board-manifesting-my-dreams-into-reality/#respond Mon, 02 Dec 2019 18:33:15 +0000 https://michellerivera.com/?p=13146 I believe in Manifesting…. And I have been told, and I have heard time and time again, that a Vision Board is one of the best ways of manifesting goals and dreams. So I am finally going to make one, however, I have decided that a digital version on my blog is the best way...

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I believe in Manifesting…. And I have been told, and I have heard time and time again, that a Vision Board is one of the best ways of manifesting goals and dreams. So I am finally going to make one, however, I have decided that a digital version on my blog is the best way for me to personally do so.

So my first positive manifestation on my Vision/Dream Board is a picture of my family. We are happy, together, and in good health, and that is my prayer, wish, and dream that we always remain this way.

My family
My family

My second positive manifestation on my Vision Board is that I would love a new “Forever Home.” I would love for it to be a newer build, 4 or 5 bedrooms, with character. I dream of a beautiful all white kitchen, beautiful bathrooms, and the home in general would be very Joanna Gaines inspired.

I love this home. It has so much character.
I love this home. It has so much character.

My third positive manifestation is My Dream Kitchen. So beautiful.

My Dream Kitchen

My fourth positive manifestation is my dream Master Bathroom.

My Dream Bathroom
My Dream Bathroom

Next on my positive manifestation is to see my businesses thrive, after all, having a thriving career is what will make my dreams of a new home a reality. I love working in Real Estate and in Digital Content Creation with both my Blog and Podcast, my dream is to see my entire brand of Michelle Rivera Lifestyle, L.L.C really come together and take off to the next level.

Michelle Rivera Lifestyle, L.L.C
My Business Michelle Rivera Lifestyle, L.L.C was originally known as ‘Mommyhood to Hollywood,’ created in 2010.

My Real Estate's Headshot
My Real Estate Headshot

Animated Michelle Rivera and Lara Scott! Artwork by Aldo Barbagiovanni
‘Searching SoCal’ Podcast Cover….Animated Michelle Rivera and Lara Scott! Artwork by Aldo Barbagiovanni

Speaking of taking my career to the next level, do you know that I have always had the dream to host my own Real Estate Show on HGTV? I’ve always thought what a perfect way to merge my love of Real Estate with my love of T.V. Hosting. I have been writing a Mini-Pilot for quite some time now, so my next positive Manifestation is to shoot that Mini-Pilot and finally get it to H.G.T.V. with the continued positive Manifestation of getting my own T.V. Show on H.G.T.V. I know it seems like a HUGE DREAM to make come true, but isn’t that the point of vision boards, to manifest our biggest dreams into reality?!

One day soon I will have my own Real Estate show on HGTV…… “Manifesting my Dreams!”

Last on my Positive Manifestation Vision Board (last just for now) is to travel the world with my husband and my kids. I definitely need more travel in my life.

I’m Ready To Travel The World!

So now I ask my readers, do you believe in Positive Manifestation? Have any of you ever created a Vision Board to help bring your dreams into reality? Did it work for you? Comment on the blog!

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AB-EZE…Mom’s Get Your Core Muscle Strength Back! https://michellerivera.com/ab-eze-moms-get-your-core-muscle-strength-back/ https://michellerivera.com/ab-eze-moms-get-your-core-muscle-strength-back/#respond Wed, 20 Mar 2019 02:01:10 +0000 https://michellerivera.com/?p=13080 As many of you know my Post-Pregnancy issues were not ideal health wise. Not only did I suffer from a massive Diastasis Recti, I also suffered from a major Ventral Hernia too. After 6 months of Physical Therapy I ended up having surgery to correct both and the 6 week recovery was not fun. You can...

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Before and After
Before and After

As many of you know my Post-Pregnancy issues were not ideal health wise. Not only did I suffer from a massive Diastasis Recti, I also suffered from a major Ventral Hernia too. After 6 months of Physical Therapy I ended up having surgery to correct both and the 6 week recovery was not fun. You can read my whole story about that here.

Even after surgery I had weight to lose and still needed to rebuild the core muscle strength that was now lost after all of my abdominal trauma, and to this day, almost 4 years later, I still work on keeping my core muscle strength strong and healthy.

That’s why I am so excited to share with all of you AB-EZEI really wish I had found this product before my surgery because I believe it would have helped me tremendously.

All Parts
All Parts of AB-EZE

AB-EZE is a smart, new way to strengthen your core. The revolutionary design supports your body against gravity to specifically activate the muscles of your abs, back, glutes, and legs. 

Simply place the anchor over any door, lean on the comfortable support pad, and your muscles will instantly engage. Intensity changes with the press of a button to lengthen or shorten the strap. Change your body position to quickly switch between exercises that will get you fast results. 

AB-EZE targets the exact areas you need to tone. Firm and lift your butt. Sculpt your abs and shrink your waistline. Strengthen your back. Shape and define your legs. 

Don’t have a door? AB- EZE attaches to any fixed point or interchanges with your favorite fitness system. The well crafted, intuitive technology, use, storage, and portability a breeze. In just seconds, AB-EZE conveniently turns your home, office, dorm, or hotel room into your personal gym.

AB-EZE will transform your physique without changing your lifestyle. No time to workout? In just minutes, you can efficiently strengthen your core wherever and whenever your schedule permits. Use AB-EZE between meetings, while baby is napping, as dinner cooks, when taking a study break, or even while you’re watching tv or talking on the phone… AB-EZE is the perfect solution for busy people because it turns unused minutes into body changing moments without breaking a sweat or even changing into workout clothes!

Everyone can use AB-EZE whether you are just starting out or a fitness pro. Choose from a variety of exercises proven to tone your tush, sculpt your abs, and strengthen your back. With AB-EZE you can shape the backs of your legs and shrink your waistline. Tightening your core will relieve back pain, too. 

You can enjoy more traditional movements or a fun, dance style workout. Challenge yourself with advanced exercises. You can even strengthen your entire core without ever having to get down on the floor. The choice is yours. The adjustability and open belt design make AB-EZE the perfect solution for people of all ages and fitness levels to look and feel their best.

For more information on AB-EZE visit www.ab-eze.com.

Working my Obliques with AB-EZE
Working my Obliques with AB-EZE 

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Rock Body Moms Is Here! Presented by Diet Free Life and Michelle Rivera Lifestyle. https://michellerivera.com/rock-body-moms-is-here-presented-by-diet-free-life-and-michelle-rivera-lifestyle/ https://michellerivera.com/rock-body-moms-is-here-presented-by-diet-free-life-and-michelle-rivera-lifestyle/#respond Thu, 27 Sep 2018 23:51:31 +0000 https://michellerivera.com/?p=12736 MICHELLE’S PERSONAL STORY ON WHY SHE HAS LAUNCHED ROCK BODY MOMS: I’m so excited to share my new Healthy Lifestyle program with all of you that I’m launching with Nationally Renowned Certified Nutritionist and Fitness Expert Robert Ferguson. Our new program is called Rock Body Moms.  Rock Body Moms is designed to help moms live their...

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MICHELLE’S PERSONAL STORY ON WHY SHE HAS LAUNCHED ROCK BODY MOMS:

After Michelle's 2nd pregnancy, she was left with a major ventral hernia, Diastasis-Recti (separation of abdominal muscle and 40 lbs overweight on a 5'1 small boned body frame).
After Michelle’s 2nd pregnancy, she was left with a major ventral hernia, Diastasis-Recti (separation of abdominal muscle) and was 40 lbs overweight on a 5’1 small boned body frame.

I’m so excited to share my new Healthy Lifestyle program with all of you that I’m launching with Nationally Renowned Certified Nutritionist and Fitness Expert Robert Ferguson. Our new program is called Rock Body Moms.  Rock Body Moms is designed to help moms live their healthiest and best life without dieting! The challenges that us moms face when it comes to our weight can be overwhelming to say the least. Taking care of kids, maintaining the home, running errands, while many of us are also balancing careers too, can all be very exhausting. So of course the last thing we want to do is not eat what we want to eat and be on some crazy diet. Seriously, enough is enough. LET’S STOP THE INSANITY!

The reason why I am leading this charge is to help change lives and empower you with information that will not only make weight loss easier, but give you the knowledge of nutrition that you can benefit from for a lifetime.

I, myself have had a difficult time losing weight after having two babies. After my second pregnancy I found myself with a major Ventral Hernia and a huge Diastasis recti (which is the separation of your abdominal muscles). After 6 months of Physical Therapy, the Diastasis did not correct itself. Eventually, I had to have surgery to repair both the hernia and the Diastasis, which my doctor said was one of the worst he had ever seen.

After my surgery and 6 week recovery, I was happy to have that all behind me, but I was still 40 pounds overweight and had absolutely no core muscle strength at all. That’s when I began my own health and fitness journey, but I never went on a diet. I made healthier lifestyle choices and I never deprived myself of anything. I exercised (but not insanely, honestly I hit the gym about 3 times a week, on a good week).  I lost the weight and I also restored much of my core strength too through core strengthening exercises that I did and by simply making healthier choices for myself without dieting (as I stated). I’ve never believed in going on diets. I only believe in implementing healthier lifestyle choices. There is a difference.  

When I first met Robert Ferguson, the Creator and CEO of  Diet Free Life, his program fell perfectly into my own philosophies about health and fitness, and so I’m absolutely thrilled to be working alongside his expertise. Robert Ferguson is a nationally recognized certified nutritionist; and fitness expert, as well as Nutritionist Author. His bio of all the work he has done is so impressive, that I have included it below, so that you may get to know more about Robert (if you don’t know who he is already).

So join me in NEVER dieting again! Robert and I are making his Diet Free Life available through an 8 Week Fat Loss Challenge that’s going to blow your mind. The first step is registering for the FREE report on the 8 Proven Ways To burn Fat Faster!
You’ll LOVE this report, it’s packed with AMAZING information to jump start your healthy lifestyle journey. So thanks for joining me and I’m excited for us to begin! Get your FREE report HERE!

FREE REPORT: 8 Proven Ways To Burn Fat Faster!
FREE REPORT: 8 Proven Ways To Burn Fat Faster!

 

Robert Ferguson, CEO of Diet Free Life and Michelle Rivera of Michelle Rivera Lifestyle team up to create Rock Body Moms!
Robert Ferguson, CEO of Diet Free Life and Michelle Rivera of Michelle Rivera Lifestyle team up to create Rock Body Moms!

ROCK BODY MOMS PRESS RELEASE:

Diet Free Life and Michelle Rivera Lifestyle will present an 8 Week Fat Loss Challenge for Rock Body Moms.

Go to www.RockBodyMoms.com for more information.

Sign up for a FREE online report, 8 Proven Ways To Burn Fat Faster, written by Author, Nutritionist, and America’s Fat Loss Coach, Robert Ferguson.

Founder of Michelle Rivera Lifestyle Michelle Rivera partners up with Diet Free Life Creator and CEO Robert Ferguson to offer a fat loss and lifestyle program designed for moms. It’s no secret that being a mom can be challenging at times, and unfortunately, one of the draw backs is weight gain. We all know why.

Finally, a program that is not about dieting, but living your best life – even when you find yourself constantly putting everyone else first.

Powered by Diet Free Life and inspired by Michelle Rivera, our programs and challenges show you how to lose weight eating food you love (whatever you have available) in fat-burning combinations.

“The giveaways provided on this site and our 8 Week Fat Loss Challenge is a great place to start.”
Michelle Rivera

Michelle with her daughters Madison and Mia!
Michelle with her daughters Madison and Mia!

ROBERT FERGUSON BIO:

Robert Ferguson, CEO of Diet Free Life
Robert Ferguson, CEO of Diet Free Life

Robert Ferguson is a nationally recognized certified nutritionist; fitness expert; producer and host of The Robert Ferguson Show; motivational speaker; comedian; author and CEO of Diet Free Life. He has written three books on nutrition and fitness, authored two evidence based studies on reversing childhood obesity; he currently serves on the Presidential Task Force on Obesity for the National Medical Association; he consults for Let’s Move Nation, serves as the National Wellness Director for SOBA Recovery Centers and co-founded the Show Me Better Health initiative with Aetna, which is an evidence based practice that is implemented to under-resourced communities. He’s been dubbed as “America’s leading voice on wellness and weight loss.” For more than 20 years Robert has helped thousands lose weight and improve overall health with his methodology of eating the food you love and still losing weight every week. His successes include creating, developing and branding the number one infomercial product in the country – generating nearly $100 million in just two years. He continues to work closely with Fortune 500 companies (e.g., Aetna, Anthem, United Healthcare, McDonald’s Corp) as a speaker and consultant, as well as a growing list of celebrities and professional athletes to include Chaka Khan, Toni Braxton, Daniel Baldwin, Ricki Lake, Chuck D of Public Enemy, La Toya Jackson, Bobbi Bonilla and the Days Of Our Lives cast to name a few. In what Robert refers to as his “SPARE TIME” he serves as CEO of the Malibu Media Group, which specializes in video production and streaming, website and mobile app development, and digital and social media promotions and monetization for individuals and companies. You can learn more about Robert at his commercial website: www.DietFreeLife.com.

 

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Step2’s 7th Annual Celebrity Red CARpet Safety Event by New Bloom Media. https://michellerivera.com/step2s-7th-annual-celebrity-red-carpet-event-by-new-bloom-media/ https://michellerivera.com/step2s-7th-annual-celebrity-red-carpet-event-by-new-bloom-media/#respond Sat, 22 Sep 2018 01:48:34 +0000 https://michellerivera.com/?p=12772   I had a blast at the Celebrity Red CARpet Safety Pre-Event with Saarah Samadani of Beauty Momme and Actress/Host Ali Landry. Saarah and Ali are The Co-Founders of the Celebrity RedCARpet Safety Event and they are advocates for child safety. So the Pre-Event took place at Barre Belle in Los Angeles on La Brea...

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Saarah Samadani, Michelle Rivera, and Ali Landry
Saarah Samadani, Michelle Rivera, and Ali Landry

I had a blast at the Celebrity Red CARpet Safety Pre-Event with Saarah Samadani of Beauty Momme and Actress/Host Ali Landry. Saarah and Ali are The Co-Founders of the Celebrity RedCARpet Safety Event and they are advocates for child safety.

My favorite sign out front of Barre Belle
My favorite sign out front of Barre Belle.

Soulful Sculptor of Sweaty Bodies and Founder of La Barre Belle Marnie Alton: Photo Credit: Marnie Alton
Soulful Sculptor of Sweaty Bodies and Founder of LA Barre Belle, the beautiful Marnie Alton: Photo Credit: Marnie Alton.

Ali Landry putting in an AMAZING workout at La Barre Belle: Photo Credit La Barre Belle
Ali Landry putting in an AMAZING workout at L.A. Barre Belle: Photo Credit L.A. Barre Belle

So the Pre-Event took place at Barre Belle in Los Angeles on La Brea with their amazing Founder and Instructor Marnie Alton. Marnie was so sweet and gave us the workout of our lives. As many of you know I’m very much into working out, but this was by far the BEST and most challenging workout I’ve ever had. I have never taken a barre class before and if you haven’t either then I’ll do my best to describe it to you. The class was like a combination of Dance, Cardio, and Core-Strengthening (similar to Pilates) all in one. It was upbeat and fun, but at the same time had very Zen moments of Meditation, like you would find in Yoga. I don’t know if that’s typical of most Barre Studios, but at Barre Belle it was, and I absolutely loved it and I highly recommend that you check it out. This 60 minute workout is the COMPLETE REAL DEAL. It will burn fat, increase your flexibility, raise your heart rate, and it will target your entire body. You don’t have to be a dancer to take it either and if you’ve never taken a barre class before (like I never had), don’t fret, it’s for all levels and a very friendly, fun, and non-intimidating environment. So you MUST absolutely go check it out. To schedule a class go to labarrebelle.com.

Now we were all Barre Belle working out for a good cause and that was to benefit the wonderful organization Baby2Baby, as well as raise awareness about child safety, particularly, Car-Seat Safety for children. Now this Pre-Event is leading up to the main event, which is Step2’s 7th Annual Celebrity Red CARpet Event by New Bloom Media, which also benefits Baby2Baby during September’s Child Safety Month. It takes place on Saturday, September 22nd from 10:30am-4pm (10:30am-1pm VIP reception and 1-4pm for ticket holders). 

The Celebrity Red CARpet Event is a fun-filled, educational, inspiring and engaging event for parents and kids!  The event aims to help spread awareness about Car Seat Safety as well as other areas of safety (Activity Safety, Car Seat Safety, On-The-Go Safety, Home Safety, Body Care Safety, and Kitchen Safety) that affect parents and their precious loved ones.  New highlights this year include a new seasonal category at Step2 full of classic holiday favorites, Diono’s next generation of luxurious Rainier and Radian convertible car seats, award-winning super-compact Traverze Stroller, Carus Complete 4-in-1 Carrying System with Detachable Backpack, NEW Tableware Hero Products and a car seat that converts into a stroller.

Discover many of the best safety products for maternity, baby and toddler from national and local companies such as event sponsors Step2, Diono, Munchkin, Nuna, Cybex, UPPAbaby, Babyganics, and OXO Tot as well as a sneak peek into some of the latest innovative products yet to hit the market.  And on top of inspiring lectures, seminars and, demonstrations from renowned experts in the world of family and parenting, there will be fun activities like sensory play, arts and crafts, fun on our mini up & down roller coasters, playhouse fun, cookie decorating, indoor play and carnival games!

Tickets are around $300 for VIP Tickets (some include car seats and others include carriers) and $20 for a basic family ticket.  For additional information and tickets, visit: http://www.celebrityredcarpetevent.com/

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Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Stanley Poulos Gets Real on Secrets Most Keep Under Wraps https://michellerivera.com/plastic-surgeon-dr-stanley-poulos-gets-real-on-secrets-most-keep-under-wraps/ https://michellerivera.com/plastic-surgeon-dr-stanley-poulos-gets-real-on-secrets-most-keep-under-wraps/#respond Fri, 07 Sep 2018 00:14:10 +0000 https://michellerivera.com/?p=12729 With popular TV shows such as “Botched” and the old favorite NipTuck, plastic surgeons are seen as the perfect specimen of looks, wealth and a fabulously crafted and curated lifestyle. They’re impeccably dressed, have gregarious personalities and their significant others are the epitome of perfection. Is there more to the story? Are there practice secrets...

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With popular TV shows such as “Botched” and the old favorite NipTuck, plastic surgeons are seen as the perfect specimen of looks, wealth and a fabulously crafted and curated lifestyle. They’re impeccably dressed, have gregarious personalities and their significant others are the epitome of perfection. Is there more to the story? Are there practice secrets that are kept more confidential than the facelift of a 50-year-old socialite? Dr. Stanley Poulos, a San Francisco Bay area board certified plastic surgeon gets real on secrets many plastic surgeons prefer to keep under wraps.

1)Sometimes you will have more than just “a little discomfort” managed with some light dosage of pain medication.

Everyone has a different pain threshold and post-op bruising and swelling vary so certain procedures will take longer to recover from. Abdominoplasty, body lifts, and combination surgeries like “mommy makeover” are just a few examples of procedures where recovery may be extended.

Many people who have had procedures can think of a time a few days post op where they wanted to curse their surgeon or ask “why in the world did I do this?”

Just because it’s an elective aesthetic surgery doesn’t make it any less of an operation. Dr. Poulos explains that there are two very important things you want to get clear on, the actual level of pain and recovery time. Recovery time to return to ranching or running marathons may be a lot different than being able to drive or get out.  He advises speaking to a few friends or references who had the same procedure. Just remember that like childbirth as time goes by the experience may seem easier than it was.

“You need to know so you can make necessary arrangements with work and childcare or elder care if need be. Some procedures can take at least a week or two before resuming normal activity so the more realistic the expectations the better,” adds Poulos.

2) There may be more than just “minimal scarring.”

“Scarring has nothing to do with the surgeon’s skill and everything to do with the patient’s genetics,” clarifies Dr. Poulos. He goes on to explain that a highly skilled plastic surgeon can do the same exact procedure with closure on two different people. One will have minimal scarring while the other will not.” People with darker complexions should consider this before deciding to do a procedure and certainly consult with your doctor’s team who can recommend remedies that help with scarring.

3) Cellulite removal isn’t just easily “zapped away” with a laser.

Today there are many options available, each claiming to treat cellulite effectively. Some are a bit more invasive. Cellulaze, for example, is a highly promoted actual surgical procedure using an invasive laser that must be threaded under the skin. “Even though this is considered minimally invasive, it’s not an easy zap. Even with the improvement the results often will not meet expectations so be realistic.

 

4) There’s an expiration date on results due to the aging process.

We see celebrities who desperately battle mother nature. Aging is inevitable. The average “shelf life” of a facelift is about 10 years. “A facelift is a large financial investment along with significant recovery time. The better the skin elasticity the closer to a decade you’ll get. Odds are even better you’ll have a more enduring result if you don’t smoke or sun-worship,” says Dr. Poulos. He goes on to say that he believes it’s really important to lay out the real expectations given skin texture and volume. Some people may notice the lower quadrant of their faces aging just a few years post facelift. While a person will still look youthful post facelift, it’s not going to prevent aging.

About the Doctor:

Dr. Stanley Poulos is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon and Co-Founder with Yngvar Hvistendahl, M.D of Plastic Surgery Specialists recognized as one of the premier aesthetic surgery clinics in Northern California, with over 30-years’ experience in aesthetic procedures, and mastery of facial and body symmetry. Dr. Poulos offers weight loss procedures such as the gastric balloon that allow patients to achieve optimal health and when combined with exercise and proper nutrition, and ongoing consultation with a specialist (an option few surgeons offer before considering surgery) the results have been exceptional.

A graduate of the University of Texas Medical School, Dr. Poulos completed his internship and residency at UC San Francisco. He completed surgery and plastic surgery training in San Francisco prior to entering private practice in Marin County where he co-founded PSS (www.psspecialists.com)

 

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Get Radiant Skin With JERGENS® Shea Beauty Oil! #Luminousskin #Jergens https://michellerivera.com/get-radiant-skin-with-jergens-shea-beauty-oil-luminousskin-jergens/ https://michellerivera.com/get-radiant-skin-with-jergens-shea-beauty-oil-luminousskin-jergens/#respond Wed, 02 Jul 2014 00:09:00 +0000 http://mommyhoodtohollywood.com/wp/?p=9563 This is part of a product review campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and JERGENS; complimentary products were provided.  However, all opinions expressed are my own. Summer is here and it’s that time of year when we are all showing our skin more than ever!  That is why it’s so important to make sure our skin...

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This is part of a product review campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and JERGENS; complimentary products were provided.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.

Jergens Logo

Summer is here and it’s that time of year when we are all showing our skin more than ever!  That is why it’s so important to make sure our skin is hydrated and healthy, not just during the summer months, but all year round too.

Now in my family, my daughter and I are often battling Eczema and anyone who has Eczema knows that the best way to control it is to prevent it all together.  The best way to do this is by keeping your skin as hydrated as possible.  Now my Abuelita used to tell me to spread avocado on the skin, but if you would rather eat that delicious avocado then I have another skin plan for you instead.

JERGENS® is helping us to attain the hydration that we need with products that help create five visible skin perfecting benefits in just five days.  Now, for the very first time in the U.S., consumers can enjoy skin that’s deeply hydrated, illuminated, visibly firm, even, and virtually flawless just by using the JERGENS® Shea Beauty Oil  all-in-one moisturizer.  It has triple action beautifying power for radiance, sheen, and hydration!

JERGENS® Shea Beauty Oil is the latest addition to the JERGENS® Shea Butter Collection and it really delivers amplified radiance that you can see!   It also has the added bonus of indulgent moisture and coveted sheen.  I have been using it right after I shower when my skin is still a little damp, then I apply it and it truly has been locking in moisture.  Its unique body luminizer also leaves skin with not just six times more hydration, but also six times more radiance and sheen too!  Now, all the skin-loving benefits of intensely hydrating Shea Butter are paired with the exclusive sheen of body oil.

Now I know that when people think oil, they think of greasy skin, but this is absolutely the FURTHEST thing from it.  JERGENS® Shea Beauty Oil is a lightweight, fast absorbing beauty oil for the body, which harnesses the nourishing and sheen enhancing ingredient, Argan Oil, and the conditioning and illuminating ingredient, Shea Butter. Skin is left lush, illuminated and deeply conditioned with a beautiful sheen, leaving you with beautiful skin.

Try JERGENS® Shea Beauty Oil on its own to illuminate your skin, or use it together with your favorite JERGENS®  Shea Butter Moisturizer for the optimum combination of radiance and hydration.

JERGENS® has other great products too that can be used with your JERGENS® Shea Beauty Oil.  For instance, check out  JERGENS® BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream.

JERGENS® BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream also has five visible skin perfecting benefits in just five days. This cream gives you that coveted, effortlessly perfect look of a facial, but it’s for your body instead!  Enjoy skin that’s deeply hydrated, illuminated, visibly firm, even, and virtually flawless just by using this all-in-one moisturizer. The JERGENS® Skincare experts believe that women can and should expect more from their moisturizer. So, these innovative pioneers developed a breakthrough, never-before-seen category in American beauty, JERGENS® BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream, to hydrate plus deliver noticeable skin enhancing benefits all in one simple step.

So now that you know all about these two AWESOME JERGENS® skin illuminating products make sure to pick them up.  They are available nationwide in your grocery store, mass retailers and drugstores!

Find out more information at JERGENS®: Official Website for their Beauty Shea Oil and at JERGENS® Official Website BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream!

Get Connected and join JERGENS® Radiance Facebook page too!   

 

 

 

 

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