richardshaver1955

[richardshaver1955]

Heart: A History by Sandeep Jauhar

I am taking part in the Wellcome Book Prize blog tour today with a review of ‘Heart: A History’ by Sandeep Jauhar which is the final book I will be shadowing from this year’s shortlist. Jauhar is a cardiologist and … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books http://bit.ly/2XInT1n

[richardshaver1955]

Wellcome Book Prize: Mind on Fire and Murmur

I am approaching the end of shadowing this year’s Wellcome Book Prize, and I have followed two books which explore gender as the central theme (The Trauma Cleaner and Amateur) with two books primarily concerned with mental health. ‘Mind on … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books http://bit.ly/2PoWQ8w

[richardshaver1955]

Why We Get the Wrong Politicians by Isabel Hardman

With Parliament still in the grip of deadlock over Brexit, a book with the title ‘Why We Get the Wrong Politicians’ might sound particularly timely. However, even Isabel Hardman admits that the provocative title is slightly misleading. Rather than a … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books http://bit.ly/2VM71X4

[richardshaver1955]

Becoming by Michelle Obama

‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama is already one of the bestselling memoirs of all time selling nearly 10 million copies just four months after it was first published towards the end of 2018. Rebecca, Laura and I optimistically attempted to get … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books http://bit.ly/2I7TzcK

[richardshaver1955]

Your April Workout Calendar!

Hey guys!

Happy April and happy new POPFLEX launch! It’s our first collection of 2019 and we’re ringing in Spring with some major dreamy vibes. I’m really excited to share with you The Dream Collection. Inspired by my wedding, everything is super romantic, soft, and totally enchanted oasis.

Originally this collection was supposed to launch last October when I got to walk down the aisle and marry my Sam – but things got crazy and it didn’t happen! But I am glad we waited, because what was I thinking of launching a new collection and getting married at the same time!??? Sometimes I am just too much. So the universe has to step in and create complications to help me slow down :P

I wanted to design something that would remind me of my wedding day every time I slipped on my activewear. So that’s why you’ll see colors that represent this age old rhyme…”Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…”

This is the Muse Bra in Sky.

Which matches perfectly with these highness leggings in sky!

Imagine doing a wellness-inspired bachelorette party where everyone gets to wear The Dream Collection! OMG how cute would you and your bridesmaids look!?

This is literally the softest cardigan in the world.

The fabric is super duper stretchy, so you’d be surprised what will fit you! Customers are already saying that the 12’s are fitting up to a 14/16 because of how resilient the fabric is!

Also guys, if you’re not sure what your size is, buy what you think will fit you based on the size chart and the Stylist’s Tip (this collection fits similar to Dusty Blossom) and don’t worry about anything because we’ve got a new “At-Home Try-On Program” – which means free shipping and free exchanges in the US on all orders containing the Dream Collection! Until April 15th.

Yay! Now go check out all of the Dream Collection here.

Now, onto the April 2019 Calendar! Prepare for one of the most challenging cals yet!!! Make sure to check out the interactive Coda doc I made for this month too if you want to track your workouts and challenge your friends! Just click Copy doc to get started.

Click to download hi res cal!

SUNDAY: Unstoppable Upper Body

MONDAY: Perfect Peach

TUESDAY: Carefree Cardio

WEDNESDAY: Amazing Abs

THURSDAY: Total Body Takeover

FRIDAY: Rest ‘n Stretch

SATURDAY: Lengthened Legs

If you’re new around here, this is how it goes!

Click on the hi res link to download the calendar and print it out for your wall!

Head over to blogilates.com/calendar and click on the videos of the day. It’ll take you directly to the YouTube video! Or use the Coda doc.

Do each video once (unless otherwise stated)

Check off as you go!

The post Your April Workout Calendar! appeared first on Blogilates.

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[richardshaver1955]

Wellcome Book Prize: Amateur and The Trauma Cleaner

Gender is a notable theme on this year’s Wellcome Book Prize longlist and two of the books shortlisted this year (by the official judges and by the shadow panel) look at the lives and experiences of transgender individuals. ‘Amateur’ by … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books https://ift.tt/2U5DZES

[richardshaver1955]

Puppies & Planks happened and it was BEYOND.

My heart and soul are soaring. I took this entire week to let that feeling truly soak in.

Leading up to Puppies & Planks, we were battling the rain, vendors who canceled on us last minute, the sheer lack of time, and also I ended up in Urgent Care just days before. I really didn’t know what was going to happen.

But this weekend Puppies & Planks exceeded every single one of my expectations. WE RAISED OVER $20,000 for LA Animal Services, Much Love Animal Rescue, Karma Rescue, and The Dove Project!!! Huge thanks to every single person or doggy involved in making P&P a reality. Whether you physically were there or shared it on social media or bought a festival shirt to support…THANK YOU.

A huge thank you to PETCO for being my official partner for the inaugural Puppies & Planks fest! Below is the PETCO “Life’s a Ball!” installation, which included a pool FULL OF tennis balls for the takin’!

I’m so happy. I don’t even know what to say. I’m lost in these feels. The day was filled with so many dogs, so many friends, so many POSITIVE VIBES. I could not have asked for anything more.

So, I’d love to take you on a journey through the day! Ready?

7:50 AM: Here’s everyone entering the main stage under the official Puppies & Planks balloon arch!

8:00 AM: Anna Victoria led a huge warm up for everyone getting ready to do the 3K!

Doggies who signed up for the 3K got an official Puppies & Planks bandana!

Look at all the people and the doggies!

Humans were lining up all day to take plank pics at the official Puppies & Planks paradise installation!

And check out this art installation for humans and pups! It’s called “Dogs Can Fly and So Can I!” by Daniel Kordek.

9:30 AM: The first official class of the day was led by my good friend Joseph Corella of 567Broadway! I love his dance class so much. He always makes me laugh and he’s such a fantastic instructor.

10:30 AM: Next, my sister Jackelyn introduced me on stage as my heart was pounding! So many feelings were swirling in my body!

Starting off POP Pilates with some plié squats of course!

I can’t get over how cool that downtown LA skyline looks behind the stage!

After every class, we ended with a 1 minute plank challenge. I chose the opposite arm, opposite leg plank. Then my sister decided to put George on me. It was hard. REALLY HARD.

Then!!! We presented a GIANT check to the local animal rescues! Wed raised over $20,000 for them through the sale of the fitness class tickets! The check here says $17,700 because that was BEFORE we counted how much we made from on site ticket sales! Ahhh!!!

11:30 AM: Next up my friend Caleb aka The Fitness Marshall rocked the stage with his suave dance moves! I wish my body could move like that!

Lunch break!

We had lots of great food options including delish acai bowls from Amaze Bowls!

Food trucks lined up to feed the peeps!

Just Food For Dogs served up some fresh food for the pups – for free!

12:30 PM: After lunch, CRUNCH Fitness took the stage and leg “Ruff Yoga” – a yoga class made especially for you and your dog!

The dogs really loved it.

The dogs also really loved the Toy Distraction Field! Basically, any toy the dog would touch first it would be their’s to take home for free! We kept hearing owners say “NOT THE BALL!!! DO NOT PICK THE BALL!!!”

Everyone adored the doggo kissing booth from I Has Cupquake!

And the free caricatures from Arrival Fitness!

Oh and the agility course from LARPBO (Los Angeles Responsible Pit Bull Owners) was a hit!

    1: 30 PM: Then Luke Milton from Training Mate took the stage to teach his HIIT inspired Sydney Circuit!

2:30 PM: My sister ended the day with “Yoga for Tight Everything.”

People getting their flexy on.

That day we got sooooo many applications for people interested in adopting! And good news, 4 dogs from LA Animal Services were taken to their forever home that day! Yay!

I hope you enjoyed the Puppies & Planks photo story! I could not have done this without your enthusiastic support; without my incredible #Blogifam for spending countless late nights at the office putting this together; without our instructors Anna Victoria, The Fitness Marshall, Joseph Corella of 567Broadway, my lil sis Jackelyn Ho, and Luke Milton of Training Mate who donated their time and their talent to lead the classes; without my amazing event planner Linda and our incredibly creative event production team at Lurline; without Petco’s confident belief in us as our title sponsor; without the rescue organizations; without my husband Sam who at first thought I was totally insane for doing this (you promised in your vows you would support me no matter how crazy) but then was the one who drove me to the hospital when things got too much, and of course…I could not have done it without my baby, my love, my entire inspiration for Puppies & Planks Sir George.

The big question is…SHOULD I DO IT AGAIN!!!???

The post Puppies & Planks happened and it was BEYOND. appeared first on Blogilates.

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[richardshaver1955]

The Wellcome Book Prize 2019 Shortlist

The Wellcome Book Prize shortlist was announced earlier this week and the six titles are: Murmur by Will Eaves Mind on Fire by Arnold Thomas Fanning Heart by Sandeep Jauhar The Trauma Cleaner by Sarah Krasnostein Amateur by Thomas Page … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books https://ift.tt/2WmNT1I

[richardshaver1955]

The Man Booker International Prize Longlist 2019

I’ve been a bit out of the loop with translated fiction in the last few months as non-fiction seems to have taken over my reading recently and I am currently shadowing the Wellcome Book Prize. However, the Man Booker International … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books https://ift.tt/2u8WBoa

[richardshaver1955]

The Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist 2019

The Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019 longlist was announced earlier this week. The 16 nominated books are: The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker Remembered by Yvonne Battle-Felton My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite The Pisces by … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books https://ift.tt/2TLstxG

[richardshaver1955]

Puppies & Planks, the festival that nearly broke my heart.

You Guys!!!!

I can’t tell you how excited I am for Puppies and Planks!!! It’s been a lot of intense work to put on an outdoor festival (hmm why didn’t I realize that obvious fact!!??) and the journey has been full of obstacles telling me to quit, but I’m finally seeing it come together.

This all started last summer when I got the idea to put on a charity festival to raise awareness for dog adoption. Bringing my lil baby angel Sir George into my life has changed it in ways I never expected. Sir taught me to be more compassionate, to forgive more readily, and to honestly be WAY more chill! After all, it’s hard to dwell on the bad stuff when you have an adorable pup looking up at you with his irresistible puppy dog eyes!!

It’s really weird, but as my life gets more intense and I have less and less time, Sir knows how to slow it down. I don’t know how he does it, but when I pet him, hug him, and love him – time expands. I can’t quite explain it.

So umm, simply put, Sir’s love inspired me to put on a whole festival for him all the doggies in the land.

I’m looking at the statement now, shaking my head, (as we are only 15 days away from show time and I’m dying on the daily) and I’m asking myself some serious questions about the extremity of my love language.

Anyway you guys, it took A LOT to get to this point. So I am grateful I am even able to announce Puppies & Planks is happening on National Puppy Day, March 23…because just about 1 month ago, there was NO WAY it was going to happen.

The goal was to create this unforgettable experience for fitness lovers, dog lovers, and dogs in the community – all with the purpose of raising awareness for dog adoption. I was thinking we could kick off the day with a 3K Dog Walk, then immerse ourselves in top-notch fitness classes taught by my favorite LA instructors and some of my amazing YouTube fitness friends! Then afterwards we could cuddle adoptable pups, walk the shopping village with some of the coolest health, wellness, and doggy brands, have our dogs play in the pup carnival area, we could take pics at aesthetic Instagram stations, and then picnic on the grass after getting lunch at the healthy food trucks!!!

Doesn’t that sounds like the best time ever!?

So immediately, I started researching brands that loved animals. Then I researched local LA dog shelters. I asked my fitness instructor friends if they would want to teach. My friends were like YASSSSSS! So I put together a deck, thinking this would be easy peasy lemon squeezy.

I was SO WRONG.

After sending out hundreds of emails, getting on numerous phone calls, and pitching so many people, several months went by and NOT ONE organization was had signed on. It was most heartbreaking when even the dog shelters didn’t want to be a part of it! It was really weird and almost backwards at points. There was a particular shelter that did not want to bring their dogs out to the event to get adopted unless we paid them thousands of dollars. I had tried to explain that we’d be donating 100% of our ticket proceeds to them, but they still wanted the money up front. So after that phone call – I really felt heartbroken, and like this wasn’t something I should be involved in.

At this point, I had given myself the deadline of Dec 2018 as our we-need-to-stop-trying deadline. After Christmas had passed, I told my event planner Linda that we needed to seriously stop. But she told me no. She told me to not give up just yet. She said “Give it one more month Cassey.”

To be 100% honest with you, I had completely lost hope at the end of December. I didn’t want to invest more time, energy, or money into this thing that clearly no one wanted to be a part of.

But…

It’s the very moment when you’re about to give up, but don’t, that the magic happens.

The VERY last week of January, we secured our incredible title sponsor – PETCO!!! WHHAAAAAA!!!????? I CRIED.

You guys. Petco was my dream sponsor. They were on my vision board for the event from day 1. After numerous phone calls and emails with their marketing team, serendipitously meeting their CMO in person at a conference (and trying to casually pitch him the idea), and then just praying to the universe…they came on board. And they SAVED US! I feel so lucky, because had Petco not partnered with Puppies & Planks, I don’t think I would EVER attempt to put on this festival again. They saved Puppies & Planks, and now together, we’re going FULL SPEED.

Above are just some of my amazing friends that will be teaching at Puppies & Planks! From left to right, it’s Anna Victoria who will be leading the warm-up before the 3K Dog Walk, The Fitness Marshall who’s gonna teach you how to dance like you’re in a music video, me who will POP Pilates your abs to death, my lil sis Jackelyn who will stretch your body with her cool yoga class, and Joseph C0rella who will teach you how to dance like a Broadway star with 567Broadway! Not pictured, but you’ll also get to take Ruff Yoga with CRUNCH (aka yoga with your dog) and also Luke Milton’s HIIT class from Training Mate!

You can grab a fitness ticket here.

AHHH!!!!! You guys I CANNOT BELIEVE that it is FINALLY happening!!! General Admission is FREE! So, if you live in the Southern CA area, please please please can you come out to support!!?? Invite all your friends and fam. I’d love to see you.

You can grab a free ticket here.

I’ll be teaching POP Pilates at 10:30am that day at Los Angeles State Historic Park, but will be hanging out afterwards so lots of time to meet and chill! If you want to take any of the fitness classes, it is a $25 donation for an all-access pass and 100% of the ticket sales will be donated to LA Animal Services and other local rescues! (Yes, some finally came on board!) The rescues will be bringing their doggies to the event so you can meet them and maybe even adopt them on site!

If you’re not able to come…there are 2 other ways you can help out!

#1. Purchase a charity festival shirt!

100% of the profits from this sales of these 4 shirts will be used to pay for the hardworking staff and the hard production costs of putting on the festival. The sponsorships unfortunately don’t cover all the costs, so we are fundraising! The navy shirt and the coral shirt are unisex, so feel free to grab one for the boyfriends or hubs too! You can find these on popflexactive.com.

#2. Take the #puppiesandplankschallenge!

If you have a small dog, big dog, old dog or even a stuffed animal dog toy, take the #puppiesandplankschallenge to raise awareness for the Puppies & Planks Festival and to raise awareness for dog adoption! Then tag 5 friends who either love dogs or have a dog to join in. Let’s spread this and make it a movement! Please tag @blogilates and @puppiesnplanksfest so I can see your posts :)

I can’t believe this is happening!!! Here are the deets:

WHEN:

Saturday, March 23, 2019

3K Dog Walk begins at 8AM

WHERE:

Los Angeles State Historic Park

1245 North Spring Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

WEBSITE: https://www.puppiesandplanks.com/

TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/puppies-planks-festival-tickets-56752101062

We are also looking for volunteers, so if you or your school club or organization are interested in helping out, please email [email protected]. Thanks so much you guys!!!

The post Puppies & Planks, the festival that nearly broke my heart. appeared first on Blogilates.

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[richardshaver1955]

Chernobyl by Serhii Plokhy

Winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction last year, ‘Chernobyl: History of a Tragedy’ by Serhii Plokhy is a comprehensive account of the worst nuclear accident in history. The small Ukrainian city will forever be associated with the explosion … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books https://ift.tt/2GYEXvy

[richardshaver1955]

Your March Workout Calendar!

Hey guys!

It is MARCH! And that means it is CRAZY TIME for me and everyone here at Blogilates HQ! We are officially less than a month away from putting on our very first outdoor festival ever, Puppies & Planks! It’s a charity fitness festival for humans and dogs all with the mission of raising awareness for dog adoption! There will be adoptable furry friends, a 3K Dog Walk, food trucks, a shopping village, fitness classes taught by me, my sis, The Fitness Marshall, Anna Victoria (plus more!) and of course photo opp stations…aka Instagram heaven :)

Can you come!?? It’s happening in Downtown LA on National Puppy Day, March 23, 2019 at the LA State Historic Park! General admission is TOTALLY FREE! If you plan on coming, could you RSVP here so I know how many porta potties to get? :P K thanks.

If you want to take a fitness class with me or any of the other instructors, there is a $25 donation for the all-access fitness class pass! That means you get to take all the classes, all day long for the price of one class! And the best part is, the ticket sales are being 100% donated to LA Animal Services and local rescues :) You can sign up here.

If you can’t come, but still wanna help out, there are 2 other things you could do that I would love love love you forever for!

#1. Post a pic taking the #puppiesandplankschallenge to raise awareness for dog adoption!

These planks have been so cool to see! I simply cannot handle it.

#2. Purchase a festival shirt for a good cause!

Every single dollar of profit that we make from these shirts will be used to help put on Puppies & Planks! That means paying the hard working staff, paying for the event production (staging, signs, banners, booth materials, stage rentals etc.), and everything else that it takes to put on a festival!! We are learning SO MUCH this first year! Check out the shirts on popflexactive.com

Eek you guys. I’m so nervous. Because I have never done this before, it’s 1 part exciting and 1 part completely terrifying at the same time!!! I hope people will actually show up, and I hope that it will not rain! Ahhh!!

Anyway, please spread the word! Let’s sweat for a good cause!

Now, onto the March 2019 Calendar! Prepare for a total body sculpt extravaganza!!!

Click to download hi res cal!

SUNDAY: Toned Triceps

MONDAY: Bomb Booty

TUESDAY: Cardio Craze

WEDNESDAY: Uh-Oh Obliques

THURSDAY: Sculpt Up

FRIDAY: Revive n Recover

SATURDAY: Lucious Legs

If you’re new around here, this is how it goes!

Click on the hi res link to download the calendar and print it out for your wall!

Head over to blogilates.com/calendar and click on the videos of the day. It’ll take you directly to the YouTube video!

Do each video once (unless otherwise stated)

Check off as you go!

The post Your March Workout Calendar! appeared first on Blogilates.

from Blogilates https://ift.tt/2XxPDGT

[richardshaver1955]

Educated by Tara Westover

I had heard of ‘Educated’ before it was longlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize but hadn’t considered Tara Westover’s widely acclaimed memoir of her childhood growing up in a Mormon fundamentalist family in rural Idaho as a possible contender. Although … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books https://ift.tt/2E6u2ME

[richardshaver1955]

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

I really enjoyed watching the HBO TV mini-series adaptation of ‘Olive Kitteridge’ last year and have been keen to read the original book by Elizabeth Strout which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2009. It is a novel in … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books http://bit.ly/2SH7Jaj

[richardshaver1955]

#100AbChallenge Ultimate Progress Tracker!

Hi guys!

The #100AbChallenge is the biggest challenge we’ve EVER done! 100 reps of an ab exercise every single day, for 30 days! Thousands of POPsters jumped in and you guys totally killed it. Whether it was all 100 reps in one go, or 10 sets of 10 reps – it didn’t matter. YOU DID IT. Huge congrats.

Here are some pics of your results! GOOD JOB!!!

Clockwise from top left: @popster_kate, @manderrs_, @tancaliel, @inhalepaleo_exhalepilates, @blissful.fitness, @popster.kitty

Remember that physical achievements are only part of the equation! I saw a teeny bit of new definition in my abs, but for me, that wasn’t the point of the challenge. I know my mid section is a zone that likes to stay soft no matter what I do :) For me, my strength gains have been sooooooo significant. After completing the challenge, I feel a lot more confident, soooooo proud of my body that I have, and so impressed with the incredible things it can do!

Click for high res

I see a bunch of you guys are doing the #100abchallenge again, so I wanted to do something to make it EASIER for you to track your progress. I’m gonna make doing 100 reps a day like a little game. I’ve created a super cool interactive doc that will allow you to see all the videos and track your progress. PLUS it is a great hub to invite all your friends to for a lil challenge – to keep each other accountable!

I used a tool called Coda.io! It’s kinda like an app, but on desktop? And free? Yeah, it’s pretty amazing. Play around with this one to get a feel for it! But if you want a copy of the doc to start filling in, just sign up with your email and boom, that’s it! Sam and I are actually starting to use Coda in place of Excel because it’s so much more visually appealing, and honestly, you can do so much and it looks so professional!

Give it a try HERE! I’m thinking of making a Coda for the monthly calendar. What do you think? Is the current calendar ok or kinda clunky? It is ok to be honest!

The post #100AbChallenge Ultimate Progress Tracker! appeared first on Blogilates.

from Blogilates http://bit.ly/2Sto0Q6

[richardshaver1955]

The Wellcome Book Prize Longlist 2019

The 12 books longlisted for this year’s Wellcome Book Prize are: Amateur by Thomas Page McBee Astroturf by Matthew Sperling Educated by Tara Westover Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi Heart: A History by Sandeep Jauhar Mind on Fire by Arnold Thomas … Continue reading → from A Little Blog of Books http://bit.ly/2Du4aKn