WINNER!

Congrats to Nicole at Casa De Nicole who just won a $100 giftcard for Lucy Sportswear, Dove deotorant, AND Kacy Duke's Show It Love Workout book! So exited for you friend! Please e-mail me your info @ thequeenbc@gmail.com and the lovely ladies at Dove will get you your prizes asap!

Thanks to everyone who participated and a special thanks to Dove for sponsoring this giveaway!

Love,

B

Dove Event with Kacy Duke.

They had me at ‘hummer limo’. Thanks to Dove’s summer campaign to help ladies like myself with their visibly smooth deodorant , my coworkers and I were whisked away in a hummer limo and taken to the Tampa Performing Arts Center for a workout with celebrity trainer, Kacy Duke! Of course after receiving the invitation I, being the internet savvy blogger than I am, googled Kacy to figure out exactly who she was. Turns out she’s trained quite a few people we all know and love and I even remembered her from an episode of ‘Run’s House’ – the reality show featuring Run from Run DMC and his family. As I mentioned in a previous entry she’s also been featured in some of my favorite magazines as a fitness expert. You should check her out at www.kacydukefitness.com

Since my coworkers and I have been on a summer mission to get healthy, I thought it only fitting to invite them. The ladies at Dove were sweet enough to allow me to open up in the invitation to all the women (and interns) I work with and a group of 10 of us were able to sneak away for a long lunch and go along for the ride. Kimberly, a former Fam Firster and a dear friend of mine was also able to return for the fun!

For the first time in the history of my company (I believe) a stretch hummer limo pulled into our parking lot and we left on the most exciting lunch break we’ve had yet. We hydrated on water in the limo and excitingly chatted about what we could expect when we arrived at the event – which they’d decided to make private just for our group! We were going to have Kacy all to ourselves and we still weren’t sure exactly what kind of workout we were going to have.

Dove doesn’t do anything without excellence, from their products (which I’ve converted to using almost exclusively) to their events! The Maestro room was beautiful, the goodie bags were delightful, we received a warm greeting from Kate (Kacy’s assistant), and Kacy herself was an absolute treat! She was fun, passionate, high-energy, enthusiastic, and personable. I just can’t say enough wonderful things about her!

She learned our names (impressive) and coached us individually through a great cardio (and leg) workout. It’s hard to explain exactly what the workout was like (although the videos should help) but it was dance-based and certainly worked our entire bodies. We could all feel it by the time we returned to the office. What I love that she said though, is that it’s not about being skinny or having great…assets. It’s about being healthy! That’s something my coworkers and I have each been working on in our own ways this summer and certainly a relatable subject for all women. There’s a big difference in being skinny and being healthy and one is better than the other!

A unique aspect of Kacy’s training that as a busy girl I can appreciate, is that her workout is designed to be done anywhere. You don’t need a gym. You don’t need weights. You don’t need a trainer. You could crank up your music and get a great, total body workout in your own home (or hotel room on the road). For my current life of traveling for work and family as well as having a large handful of weekly tasks when I am in town – what a great option to be able to do a workout anywhere my life takes me.

Can I just say I find it totally presh that her book and program is titled, ‘The Show it Love Workout’ which she explained is about loving the body you already have, even as you push yourself (and said body) to meet some goals. She says in her description on her website, ‘learn to love yourself enough to want to be in your best shape ever’. Who doesn’t need to work on that?

I wish we could have kidnapped Kacy to stay in the Tampa area and train us weekly – she sure is fun! We had a great conversation with her over cucumber water after the workout and she did give us her e-mail address so we can stay in touch. She hopes to come back down here someday and get together and kick our butts all over again. Who knows, after reading her book and doing her workouts she might not be able to kick mine next time around! ; ]

You know that I strive to be open and honest with you all in each and every entry and I would not recommend any product to you all that I don’t personally believe in. Of all the offers I’ve had since blogging to represent companies, Dove is the only one I’ve taken for a reason. They believe in real beauty, which comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They also produce great products that I myself use.

After trying Dove visibly smooth deodorant I have never gone back to using anything else. I’ve been a supporter of their products for over a year now and they are true to their word! I shave my armpits less, they feel better, and they’re never dry. I’ve also converted my Momma, my sisters, and Aunt Ju to being Dove deodorant girls (probably helps I’ve been able to hook them up with a free stick to try).

So my challenge to you all, darling readers, is to give it a try for yourselves. In fact, I’d love for you to try it and get back to me with your own thoughts. I honestly haven’t found anyone I couldn’t make a believer out of. I personally like the green (nature fresh) stick better than the pink (wild rose) but they both smell great. I’m not as inclined towards florals myself, so if you’re more of a ‘so fresh and so clean’ scent, try the nature stick but if you prefer a ‘prettier’ armpit smell go for the wild rose. Or, like myself, you could just gracefully sniff them both in the aisle of your local Walgreens. No shame in that.

I don't want to leave out to oh-so-fun details of our goodie bags either! We got workout tank tops provided by Lucy Sportswear with the Dove insignia on them (pictured below). Both scents of Dove visibly smooth - one to keep and one to pass on to a friend. And a cute little bag we can take to the gym (or as one girl suggested, bring our lunches to work).

Now before you go feeling left out - I did promise there was a giveaway to come! And better still this is the biggest and BEST giveaway this blog has ever seen! One lucky winner will receive:

- 3 varieties of Dove visibly smooth - including the clinical strength (which I haven't tried so I expect a report).

- A $100 giftcard to get yourself some cute workout gear from Lucy sportswear.

- A copy of Kacy's Show it Love Workout book!

Here's how to win:

- you get one entry for being a follower of this blog and commenting on this entry

- you will get an additional entry if you twitter about this contest (with a link) and leave me a comment to let me know

-you will get an additional entry if you facebook about this contest (with a link) and leave a comment to let me know

- you will get yet another additional entry if you blog about this contest (with a link) and leave a comment to let me know

So you have the chance to enter yourself 4 times. The number will be randomly selected - one week from today. Good luck to all!

A special thank you to the ladies at Dove, Edelman's, and Lucy's Sportswear. It was a joy to interact with each of you and thank you for all you do.

Love,

B

Note: these Dove products were provided for review by Dove.

Music, Movies, and Many Many Books.

We had an incredible time at the Dove event with Kacy Duke yesterday (not to mention the stretch Hummer ride) – I can’t wait to share all the deets with you all soon! I’m working on getting all the pics, video clips, etc together before I make the big post so stay tuned. It will also have a giveaway or possibly 2 coming with it! Be excited, be very excited. I would jump up and down to prove it but my inner thighs are too sore from yesterday’s workout. Kacy kicked my butt. : ] In a good way, of course.

I’m looking forward to winding down this week and getting some relaxing pool time in this weekend. Since I’m actually in Tampa for the rest of July and most of August before I return to my crazy traveling schedule (which is 10 times crazier in the fall than in the spring), I’m trying to get in as much pool side relaxation as possible! My tan is finally in a good place and I’m working my way through my library books while in a lounge chair, drinking sprite zero, and gabbing with friends.

I haven’t shared what I’m reading on in a hot minute so I thought I’d give you my poolside list for the next couple weekends (unless it rains, then it may just be one weekend).

For book club this month I'm sloooowly working my way through the Passage. It's a good book, it's just not as gripping (for me) as some of the other reading material I have my hands on right now.

I'm currently obsessively devouring Jodi Picoult (my favorite author)'s latest book, 'House Rules' which after being 62nd on the waiting list from the library (I boycott Kindle books that cost more that 9.99) - I actually got in a little over a weeks time. Fabulous. I picked it up, Tuesday? I expect it won't even last until the pool on Saturday at the rate I'm going.

Also on the list right now are:

I know I write more about literature than I do about music or movies. But I do have two new music related obsessions lately so I thought I'd share those with you too. Colbie Caillat's I Never Told You song (and I have the video as well) and Shontelle's Impossible. Those are new to my ipod playlist as of last week and I highly recommend both.

In the movie department, I haven't really seen anything new since Eclipse. I'm not a frequent movie goer. I did DVR the Lake House with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves...anyone seen this? I started it but haven't had a chance to finish it and I just can't decide how I feel about it. If you've seen it let me know your thoughts. Maybe the ending will bring it all together for me.

Ok there's my media related update.

Love,

B

Do as they Do in Hollywood.

We all know that Hollywood does fit and firm like no other city in the US. So, why not workout like the stars and with THEIR trainer! Thanks to Dove my coworkers and I are headed to workout with Celeb Trainer Kacy Duke tomorrow via a limo! I can't wait to tell you all about it afterwards. Here's a little scoop on Kacy:

Kacy Duke is an international fitness consultant, personal trainer and accomplished author of the book, “The Show It Love Workout,” which celebrates the body through exercise. She has worked with celebrities including Julianne Moore, Mary J. Blige and Gwen Stefani and inspires real women across the country through her trademark Underground Groove events. These high-energy and aerobic workout classes inspire women to enjoy fitness and the total body benefits it brings.

As the co-founder and a consultant of Equinox Fitness Clubs, Kacy’s fitness philosophy, “Show It Love,” revolves around empowering through positive change. She defines fitness and balance on three levels: emotional mindset, spiritual motivation and physical movement. Kacy believes a strong foundation of love and respect for your body inspires the confidence needed to achieve a healthy, happy body.

She has earned national accolades including being named “New York City’s top workout guru” by Allure Magazine and “the best trainer in New York” by New York Magazine. The New York Times placed Kacy on their "Exercise Video's New Hot Bodies" list.

Kacy has appeared on many national television programs including “Today,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “Rachael Ray,” “Good Day New York” and MTV’s “Run’s House”. Additionally, her fitness expertise has been featured in Elle, InStyle, People, Shape, Woman’s Day and LA Daily News. The Library Journal named Kacy’s book, “The Show It Love Workout,” one of the Best Consumer Health Books of 2008.

Would wouldn't mind having Gwen Stefani's bod? I also Saw Kacy on the Run's House episode which makes it that much cooler that I will be meeting with her tomorrow. She was also featured in my absolute favorite magazine, In Style (I've been a subscriber for 4 years running now). Who knows maybe I"ll be on her list of celebs she's trained someday (though I'm not sure what exactly I would become famous for). More info to come on the event!

If you have any question you'd like me to ask Kacy on your behalf during my interview with her, leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.

Love,
B

All this excitement is being brought to me (and you) by Dove visablysmooth the ONLY protection I use...after trying it and realizing I could actually shave my armpits less often just by switching my deodorant, I was sold! More info on the product is also still to come. But it's not too late to join our session tomorrow, so if you're in the Tampa area and interested check last night's blog for all the details on how.