FAB LA Spotlight-Raising the Barre

Eating healthily and sensibly has become a way of life for me. In other words, I've been on a never-ending diet since 2009. My days are food-filled with fiber rich smoothies, salads, and lots and lots of fruit and veggies. But I cheat. Often. The buffet binges, my unconquerable addiction to sweets, and my penchant for Flaming Hot Cheetos detrimentally interrupt my otherwise bird-like eating habits.

To counteract my inevitable spurts of falling off the healthy eating wagon,  I try to work out at least four times a week. Cardio workouts are a staple and I supplement them with isometric training in the form of barre classes. Living in LA, I'm bombarded with a myriad of different barre studios that offer similar workouts. Never content with just one option, I've tried almost all of them and have found that each is unique and bring something different to the "bar."


Bar Method: Integrates the fat burning format of interval training, the muscle shaping technique of isometrics, the elongating principles of dance conditioning, and the science of physical therapy to create

The Good:
  • Plethora of LA locations
  • You can buy the Bar Method DVD and work out at home
  • Each class is different which means you're never repeating the same exercises 
The Bad:
  • Holding the correct body position make or break the exercises. Precision and slight adjustments matter greatly but individual instruction attention are hard to come by due to the large class size
The Fabulous:
  • I don't break out in a sweat which means the classes can be easily integrated into my always unpredictable schedule

Cardio Barre: A unique, high energy/no impact exercise class that combines barre work and light weights with continual fat burning motion. Central to the workout are toning and resistance exercises for the butt. legs, torso and arms to sculpt muscles and elongate the appearance of your body.

The Good:
  • The upbeat music make the one hour sessions go by quickly
  • Great nontraditional cardio workout
  • The leg lifts are killer but create killer butts
The Bad:
  • The unavoidable wave of nausea that follows the leg lifts segment
  • Classes are packed which means if you get there late you risk being turned away. 
  • On a few occasions, my lower back stiffened and felt sore after class
The Fabulous:
  • I can feel my abs tightening and my "seat" lifting after every class

Pure Barre: Using small isometric movements at the ballet barre set to motivating music, Pure Barre lifts your seat, tones your thighs, abs and arms and burns fat in record breaking time.

The Good:
  • Great upbeat music
  • Love the high effective abs and leg exercises
  • Small classes means a greater focus on individual attention
The Bad:
  • Expensive! 
  • Fewer class locations (at the moment) as they've just recently expanded to LA
The Fabulous:
  • The exercises are so effective I can feel the fat burning and melting away during class which keeps me motivated to work through the pain

Pop Physique: Incorporates a ballet barre inspired exercise system into an efficient one hour class set to excellent music that blends elements of ballet, Pilates and light weight work into a methodical series of strengthening, isometrics, core shaping, and luxuriating stretches.

The Good:
  • Class size very small
  • Great music
  • The Silverlake location is close to all my favorite cafes and boutiques

The Bad:
  • Intensity level is too low for me
  • Not enough on the barre exercises
The Fabulous:
  • A lot of gazelle-bodied dancers take the class which make for great body envy/motivation

Fete For a Princess-Mont Blanc Grace Kelly Brunch at the Bel Air Hotel

A decadent brunch took place one Saturday morning during Oscars award season. Actually, to call it a brunch is to call a diamond a stone. It was more of a masterpiece created by the coming together of three timeless and legendary classics. Mont Blanc, the craftsmen of luxury pens, watches and jewelry hosted and footed the bill for the fete, which took place at Hotel Bel Air, an indulgent retreat tucked away in the heart of the enclave of the wealthy. The event celebrated the launch of the new Princess de Monaco jewelry collection, stunning pieces that exude opulence and grace.

While nibbling on caviar and delicate libations, I mingled with the celebrity guests, chit chatting with famous faces about fashion, life and awards season. Princess Albert and his new wife made an appearance. Everyone was in a chipper mood, enjoying the food, the bling-candy, and the beautiful ambiance. After all, it's nearly impossible to not be in a good mood when pints of caviar, endless bottles of champagne, and royalty are present.



the collection is inspired by the iconic and symbolic Grace Kelly pink rose


Rosario Dawson in Salvatore Ferragamo. She was super cute and down to earth. We talked about our brittle nails and her semi-permanent London residency. 

Giada de Laurentiis in Balenciaga. I asked if I could hang out in her Malibu home and watch her cook. Creeper alert.

Petra Nemcova in Mont Blanc jewelry. She is beautiful, inside and out. 

Funny girl Arden Myrin in Cynthia Rowley. My fav The Office gal Kate Flannery in Lela Rose. They create laughter while looking absolutely fab. Love!

David Haysbert, my favorite Prez! Seeing him made me feel safe and "in good hands."

I'm just a fat kid at heart.
Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Purse: Chanel




Weekend LA Sample Sales May 18-20




Line and Dot is having a one day sample sale on Saturday May 19. Expect tons of goodies from their spring/summer collections at heavy discounts. Food and drinks will be served. What a party! Saturday, May 19th | 10am-4pm 2807 S Santa Fe Ave. Vernon, CA 90058 


Fashion Industries Guild Charity Clothing Sale  is on May 18 and 19 at the Cooper Design Space  Participating designers include JBrand, Velvet, Romeo & Juliet Couture, Becca Swimwear, Karen Kane and many more. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Pediatric Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. You can't go wrong with shopping for a good cause!

The Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale is on May 18-20 at Confederacy. Friday and Saturday from 11am-7pm, Sun from noon-6pm. Save 30%-70% on samples and overproduction apparel, shoes, handbags and small leather goods. 4661 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles 90027.

The BCBG Max Azria Warehouse Sale is on May 19-20 from 8am-1pm. Save 70%-85% on women’s apparel. 2761 Fruitland Ave., Vernon 90058. Bring school supplies and get an additional 10% off as part of the proceeds go to a children's charity.