New Release Tuesday

I can't believe I'm doing this again. By "this", I mean acknowledging that I like a song by Jennifer Lopez. It's so shameful... :)

This song is the perfect addition to the playlist I'm using for fast walking running. I may or may not fist pump while doing said running on my treadmill...don't judge...just try it...you might like it!

Jennifer Lopez...damn it....how have I fallen under her dance track spell??

The Wonder Woman Suit

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If you don't know who Wonder Woman is or love her deeply, you should stop reading this post ahora! I'm serious, go find something else to do!!

I have always loved Wonder Woman #realtalk She was a warrior princess. She had superhuman strength. Her accessories (aka her bracelets & tiara) were indestructible and could be used as a weapon. The woman was badass, plain and simple. Beauty, brains, and brawn - everything I aspired to be!

During my off-season (2011), I decided that I wanted to purchase a new suit for the 2012 season. This was not because I did not love my Tamee Marie suit (because I do, deeply!) but I had worn it for three shows including the same show in my hometown I planned on competing in again.

2011 Orange County Muscle Classic

2011 NPC Terminator

2011 NPC Border States

I wanted to present a whole new package to the judges and that included a new suit. I spoke with The Boss #1 and she said that if I found a suit and fell in love with it, then I should buy a new one. She also told me that if I didn't find one that I loved, it would be perfectly fine for me to wear my blue suit again.

I wasn't "actively" searching for new suits but I would definitely check out the new postings in the "Suits for Sale" forum on Siouxcountry, facebook, and Diva Exchange. One morning while on Siouxcountry, I saw a post from a member who was selling two suits she had previously used while competing in figure. I opened up the post and instantly fell in love with one of the suits shown. I was hesitant to contact her because I didn't know if I loved it right at that second or really really loved it. After three days of constantly looking at the picture of the suit, I decided I would contact her and see if she would be interested in renting the suit to me. Long story short, I had waited too long. She was totally interested in renting the suit to me  but that would only happen if the person who had contacted her before me changed their mind. In the end, the person didn't change their mind and I was back to square one.

The Boss #1 then suggested a suit maker she had recently worked with and had a wonderful experience with. The person she recommended was Ellen from Crystallini Bikini. I emailed Ellen and asked if she would be willing to send me some swatches of colors I thought I might want. It took me longer to decide on the color of my suit than it did for Ellen to send me the swatches! After multiple email exchanges with The Boss #1, I decided on a red suit.

Y'all know I'm not one for fluff and saying things just for the sake of saying them so trust that I am being completely honest when I say Ellen is nothing short of amazing. She promptly replied to every email, answered my questions thoroughly, and had my suit in my grubby hands W-A-Y before I expected to receive it! She's so incredible that when I emailed her a week ago about possibly altering my suit, she replied and explained me what my options were.

After receiving my blank suit from Ellen and making sure that my badonkadonk would fit into it, I sent it off to be stoned. The person stoning it for me was none other than The Boss #1.

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She has stoned many of her own suits including those pictured above and graciously offered to stone mine! After we argued agreed upon a price and I sent her pictures of suits I liked, I packed up my blank suit and sent it off to the other side of the country.

A couple of times, she sent me a sneak peek of the suit but I really didn't know what it was going to look like once I received it back. After many years and months two measly weeks, it arrived!!

I tore into the package the same way The Princess tears into her gifts on her birthday and Christmas! Once I had the package open, I sat there and just stared. It was beautiful and utter perfection!

The Boss #1 had told me that she used my family as her inspiration for the stoning. (umm...how frickin' awesome is that?!?) The flames on the top are for Tom. My man is a kick ass firefighter and I'm a proud firefighter wife :) And to incorporate The Princess, she did this -->

A crown!!! Try and tell me that is not the cutest thing you've ever seen!! Not only did she incorporate my family into my suit, she used the same colors as the suit of my idol Wonder Woman! The first time I put the whole look together (wig, suit, clear heels, etc) for progress pictures, I swear I strutted - I'm not kidding -  I was the Black version of Wonder Woman. Look at my face in this picture and tell me that I don't think I'm the sh!t :)

I could go on and on about how much I love this suit but I'm going to have to wrap up this gush fest. I highly recommend you contact Ellen at Crystallini Bikini if you're looking for a suit. Her prices are incredibly reasonable and her work is top-notch. If you're looking for someone to stone a suit for you, The Boss #1 is your woman. I've already put my order in for next year so you better get your's in now!!

Reading Rainbow!

Did anybody watch that show when they were younger?? It was one of my favs but that can't surprise you coming from a woman who is a self-proclaimed bookworm and current public librarian :)

I wanted to share with you some of the blog posts I've enjoyed over the last couple of weeks. Some are fitness related while others are not. I like variety in my life and I get around...not like that, pervs! :)

Gender Double Standards - Tara @ Sweat Like A Pig

Words of Wisdom - Christina @ Redheadlaw7

A Peek Into the Day in the Life of a Bodybuilder - 

Kari @ Figure Girl World

I Am An Author! - Donloree @ Donloree.com

Is Crossfit Better than Traditional Weight Training? - 

Scott @ Your Inner Skinny

Employers, Stop Looking For College Degrees! - 

Heidi @ Banana Buzzbomb

If you have any posts that you would like to recommend, please leave a link in the comments section!

Playlist Thursday: Local Flavor

Playlist Thursday is this great weekly posting that Pavement Runner features on his blog on...you guessed it...Thursdays! Each week, he features a theme and shares one song that is something old, another that is something current, and one that is something to consider. I find myself heading over to Pavement Runner each Thursday to see what songs are going to be featured and felt brave enough to participate this week!

This week's theme is "Local Flavor" and since I'm girl who grew up in a predominantly Hispanic part of the city, my flavors are going to be heavily influenced by that. Here are some of the songs that add some flava' (I had to add a dash of ghetto fabulousness up in herrr'..lol) to my life!

Something Old

Artist: Selena

Title: Bidi Bidi Bom Bom 

Side note: I spent many days learning how to do the cumbia to this song. I just wanted to move my hips like Selena did!

Quotable: "Mi corazon se enloquece y me empieza a palpitar."

Something Current

Artist: Wisin & Yandel featuring Jennifer Lopez

Song: Follow the Leader

Side Note: I first heard this song one morning on one of the Spanish television stations and it instantly reminded me of one of the clubs my friends & I go to in Phoenix!

Quotable: "Baby, the way that I'm working my body. Can tell that you already like it. I make you lose your cabeza, go loca."

Something to Consider

Artist: Ozomatli

Song: Can't Stop

Side note:  I love this song!! This band comes to Tucson quite frequently and they put on the best show! I love their fusion of different types of music and their songs have some really great messages!

Quotable: "You can't stop, can't stop at yesterday. Cause we gotta move in a different way."

What about you? What songs represent your local flavor? I love discovering new music so please share!!

New Release Tuesday

I discovered this song this past weekend while I was in Phoenix with my friends. I love the message of the song and as I was sippin' on my Smirnoff fluffed marshmallow & Fanta Orange concoction, I realized this was the perfect song for the place I find myself at right now!

Here's another plus, the beat is sick and it's definitely needs to be added to your cardio/workout playlist!

I'm fist-pumping as I close out this post....you're welcome for that ridiculous visual :)

Back in Business, Baby!!!

HOLA!!!! Did you miss me?!?! You know that I'm not one for excuses so I won't be making any about my absence from my blog. I will just say damn the Olympics! They ruin routines and sleeping patterns but are oh so amazing!! :)

I have been relaxing, hanging out with my friends, going to concerts, and getting into mischief! I even have proof :)

At the casino before the Pitbull concert

Sassy dress, shoes, and a beverage - watch out now!

Ready to drop it like it's hot....dale!

Pitbull singing "International Love"

In addition to playing and having fun, I was busy taking care of my responsibilities as Mom to the World's Cutest Princess! I sent my little lady off to 6th grade last week! As I watched her get on the bus, I remembered her first day of school and how I couldn't believe how fast she was growing up. That was six years ago and I still feel the same way! I posted the following photo and message after I watched her bus drive away:

"I sent my daughter off to her first day of 6th grade today. These moments are reminders that her father & I have been blessed. These are moments we were never supposed to have. I am so thankful for each breath, each smiled, each flipping of the hair, each roll of the eye, each hug, each milestone. My heart is full!"

I went to visit some friends in Phoenix this past weekend and I had such a great time. I hadn't visited in quite some time due to schedules, prep, life, you name it. The trip was my last big splurge before I have to buckle down and start getting ready for my next show (more on that later this week!)

We always bust out the wigs!

Double trouble :)

There are two things I would like to share with you before I go. The first is an exclusive discount code that you can use at kohls. I was contacted by Kohl's a short time about one of my Sweat to Street posts and they  provided a discount code that not only I but you, the readers of my blog, could use until August 23. The code is BLOGIT10 so go get yourself something nice! Thanks, Kohl's!

The second is a great post I was able to participate in put together by the incredible Kellie Davis of Mother Fitness. I, along with some fabulous fit women, share our recommendations for the best sports bra. We've taken the guess work out of buying a sports bra.Trust me, you want to read this post! Check out "Fit Females Help You Find a Bra for Every Sport" and let me know what bra you would recommend.

I hope you all are doing well...I'm not gonna lie...I've missed you....shhhh....don't tell anyone ;)

New Release Tuesday

This week's new release is in honor of the fist pumping, booty shakin' experience I had last Sunday night at the Pitbull concert.

I love him. It's the eyes. And the ink. And the swagger.

I don't care if you judge me. Dale! ;)