World Down Syndrome Day 3:21

It has been approximately 22 months since my son was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. It has been an amazing journey of growth, transformation and evolution ... for ME! Today the World Celebrates Down Syndrome and today I would like the world to acknowledge the day with kindness and love. This is not just for people with Down Syndrome or a disability but for everyone. Let's face facts, we are ALL different. Embracing these differences is what makes us learn and evolve forward as human beings. We are also ALL connected in this way, despite the number of chromosomes you have.

3:21 is significant as it represents not only the 3rd month (March) and the 21st day but 3 copies of the 21st chromosome which is the definitive factor to diagnose Down Syndrome or Trisomy 21.

Did you know? 

*That there are more than 400,000 people with DS living in the US

*Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome.

* Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - from 25 in 1983 to 60 today.

*Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to develop their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

* There is 3 types of Down Syndrome - Blake has Trisomy 21 - there is also Mosaicism and Trans Location.

*Down syndrome is usually caused by an error in cell division called "nondisjunction."  Nondisjunction results in an embryo with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two.  Prior to or at conception, a pair of 21st chromosomes in either the sperm or the egg fails to separate.  As the embryo develops, the extra chromosome is replicated in every cell of the body.  This type of Down syndrome, which accounts for 95% of cases, is called trisomy 21. 

*The cause of nondisjunction is currently unknown. Heridity is not a factor in trisomy 21 (nondisjunction) 

Typical Cell Division

NonDisjunction

The stories from people with down syndrome, their families, friends and educators have been positive and uplifting for me. I have recently seen a few stories that make me SO OPTIMISTIC for my son's future. Here's the deal, he will be what he will be. All that I care about is that whatever he is he is above all HAPPY and PROUD! I never could have imagined one tiny microscopic chromosome could have such a gigantic impact on so many lives! I have celebrated all day not only the love for my son but that he is already unique in a predominantly generic world.

Check out Business Owner Tim's Story and realize that with hard work and dream can come true for anyone!!

Need more information? 

Reach out to the National Down Syndrome Society - NDSS

Juicy Joe

Vintage Produce Shopping

I spent my Saturday night engrossed in a documentary called "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead". It was on my "To Watch" list (which is rather long as my TV time is limited). Since I was enlightened by the films "Forks Over Knives" and "Hungry For Change"  I was Vegetarian for 4.5 years but after watching these films and doing follow up research I dropped the dairy too. I bought a juicer a few weeks ago and a book by Jason Vale but I have not even taken it out of the box yet.

I decided to check out this documentary first and was left totally inspired!

Watch the Extended TRAILER:

Joe Cross' Juicy Documentary was also a great education and an eye opener about nutrition.  I HIGHLY recommend seeing this film. We are all at different weighs, fitness levels, ages, and lifestyles but I feel that the information and Joe's experience applies to everyone.

His BIG lesson: "The best way to change the world is to change yourself" 

Want more info? Check out REBOOT WITH JOE

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING! 

Celebrate with a Fab Spring Juice!

Get Juicy Joe's Recipe's HERE

Would you work Juicing into your lifestyle? Treat your body to a 7, 14, or 30 day Reboot? (FYI: it is not a FAST - fasting is no food and water only) - This is pure nutrition.

Leave me a comment below.

BANDit

Christy Turlington - VOGUE 1990

I recently did a make-up trial which was featured here on the BLOG. I wore a 90-esque thick headband to pull my hair back and feature my face and the makeup. I was not sure if it felt chic again or if I looked like I was about t wash my face, until I saw the black and white image.

I realized I was totally channeling Lady Miss Kier of Deee Lite and it brought me back to the 1990's when being a BANDit was still SO CHIC. I was so influenced during the 1990's when designers did their spin on the 1960's and THIS was one of the key looks/accessories.

Lady Miss Kier 1990's

CHANEL Fall 1990/91

*The ultimate quilted headband*

 Linda Evangelista for VOGUE Italia 1990

              Helena Christensen CHANEL Runway 90

Other Icocnic BANDit's from the 90's

Linda Evangelista & Christy Turlington - VOGUE editorial 1990's

Groove is in the HEART ~ Lady Kier 1990's Does 60's

Christy Turlington - Spet 1990 - Image: Arthur Elgort

"Donna Martin" in 90210

"Cher" in Clueless

Naomi Campbell as a blonde - c 1990's

The Original Chic BANDit - Actress and Fashion Icon Brigitte Bardot, 1960's

I am ready to personally become a full time BANDit again and bring this look back. I think it has waited long enough.

Would you rock a thick headband? do a 2013 twist on a 90's does 60's look? You could cover 3 decades with one accessory. Why not?

Rockin Legs n' Abs: My Review

So a hurricane hit my house about 2 weeks ago, in the form of a DVD. Pole professional and Australian 2012 Pole Champion Cleo the Hurricane created a literal kick ass workout DVD for those of us who want to strengthen our core and legs, become more flexible and challenge ourselves.

I was totally apprehensive to start this program as it was clear after watching the first 30 seconds of the DVD just how out of shape I am. She does a ROCKIN pole routine at the beginning that is a true jaw dropper. Cleo is a pole master but is quick to remind you that even she was not always this flexible and fit.  So in my crazy bull in a china shop way I dove right in.

Watch the Trailer:

As I sit here and type I'm in my workout gear ready to do it all over again.  I feel REALLY challenged but I keep pressing on. The leg circles and butt crunches are wild!! I have done the workout from beginning to end (Run time approx 1 hour) 7 times and I can honestly say I can already FEEL the difference.  Each time I do it I can stretch a wee bit lower and longer. I have a little less of a struggle with some of the moves. If you are committed and keep pushing forward this will help you sculpt your body into something you never thought possible.

It has a ROCKIN soundtrack and Cleo gives great guidance through the routine. What I thought was unique about it was you stop to stretch several times as the DVD progresses which I have never seen. Usually you warm up and stretch after, during Rockin' Legs and Abs you stretch as you strengthen. AWESOME!

This is not my only workout. I combine this with my LaBlast Routine. Louis Van Amstel (Dance Champion & Dancing With the Stars Cast Member) created an amazing and fun dance fitness routine which has 5 levels as you advance. The combo of Cleo and Louis  is perfect and custom to my fitness and flexibility goals and body. 

Cleo's DVD is not just for pole dancers either. It is very versatile with many applications.  My husband works out more than anyone I know. He is an avid surfer and mountain incline runner.  He and his six pack LOVE this DVD as it is challenging and brings results.  The flexibility and strength will help him in both his surfing and incline running. His review: I am so "Stoked" and Cleo is SO "Gnarly". Every woman I know complains about their problem areas, and they are always the same: Stomach, thighs and ass. This DVD really targets all of these areas.

Are you ready to Rock your body into a Flexi-Fab state?

BUY IT NOW: $35 AUD

You can also purchase some Rock N Roll Fitness gear as seen in the DVD. These Flexi-Fabs are WERKing it out in 80's Rock fit gear style a-la- David Lee Roth with  a current edge! 

Pictured: Daisy of The Peach Pole Studio (Far L) - Cleo Center  - Stacey Minx (R) (Suzie Q Pole Studio)

Connect with Rockin Fitness Wear via FACEBOOK

And who wouldn't be Rockin' it in a Leopard Slingshot Leotard? MEOW!

Pictured: Cleo (L) & Daisy of The Peach Pole Studio (R)

THANK YOU Cleo for this digital gift.  

My husband and I are both excited (for different reasons) to be able to do the full splits and to build strength and become more toned!

CONNECT WITH CLEO:

Check out Cleo's tour schedule

Connect via Facebook

Connect via Twitter

Do you want ROCKIN LEGSN'ABS? 

Try the workout and post your comments below!

A Taste of Asia

Little Dragon - Illustration by Olivia De Berardinis

Fashion designers are influenced by many things, one of them being cultures. This season PRADA showed a collection where Japan meets the MOD 1960's. A fusion of Asian and Vintage vibes. The references are not so literal (accept maybe the geisha-esque wooden shoes)

 but the undertone is there in the origami fabric folds, the kimono like wraps and the MOD flowers and colors.

You should add a taste of Asia into your Spring/Summer look with an authentic Vintage piece:

Vintage Asian Style Jacket ~ $45

 

 Vintage Asian Dressing Gown ~ $120

 Vintage Aqua Embroidered Cheongsam (or Qipao) 1959 ~ $200

 1960's George Chen Embroidered Jacket ~ $160

Vintage Peach Asian Style Dress ~ $65 

Vintage 80's Gun Metal Asian Evening Jacket ~ $55

Vintage Asian Metal Belt ~ $28

Say "I Don't" To White

Marchesa 2012 FALL

Almost every woman who has been married when asked will say if they had a chance to do it all again they would change elements of the day and most often change the dress.

I was blessed with the opportunity to marry the love of my life, December 8, 2008 in of course white. I really wanted to do a color but because of the location (beach) I thought white more appropriate.  My husband and I always talk of renewing our vows, he wanted every year but we have decided to try for every 5.  If I had to do it all over again I would want to re-commit myself to my life partner wearing THIS blood RED dress from the Marchesa Fall 2012 collection.

Harper's Bazaar

I Love it in the DARK red (as pictured above)! This is how it looked on the runway.



What is your wedding dream gown? or your re-do gown?

What's my FAV colored wedding gown of all time?

Dita Von Teese wore it in 2005 when she wed Marilyn Manson. She is BEYOND a style icon to me and love how unique this taffeta gown.




 Visit Dita's Dress on Display at the Western Australia Museum  - Perth Cultural Center until APRIL 2, 2013

 Dress: Vivienne Westwood Couture

Hat: Stephen Jones
Corset:  Mr Pearl
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Peignoir: Nina Ricci

Would you say "I Don't" to White?