Got Me Workin' Day and Night

Sometimes a successful workout depends on the right soundtrack. Stuff the right music into your mp3 player or smartphone and you just might want to drop it like it’s hot in between sets of shoulder presses.

Here’s a taste of the music that pushes me through upper body training sessions.

Lat Pull Downs to “I’ll Keep Holding On” - The Marvelettes

Bench Presses to “Heartbreaker Pt. 2” - Alice Russell

Dumbbell Flys to “Haitian Sensation” - The Blue Method

Bicep Curls to “The Groove Line” - Heatwave

Hammer Curls to “Let The Beat Hit ‘Em” - Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam

Side Lateral Lifts to “Self Esteem” - The Offspring

Push Ups to “Tightrope” - Janelle Monae

Tricep Kickbacks to “I’m A Man” - The Spencer Davis Group

Overhead Extensions to “Stone Free” - Jimi Hendrix

Planks to “Transcend Me” - The Bamboos featuring Alice Russell

Wiping Sweat, Stretching and Moaning to “Black Hole Sun” - Soundgarden

The results? Sexy shoulders and back, toned arms, and the strength and energy to carry overstuffed shopping bags from Nordstrom Rack! Hit me again, Lisa Lisa!

I'm Not From Missouri, So Don't Show Me

Thursday evening I was at the Second Street El stop when I spotted a young couple headed for what looked like Date Night No. 1. They were dressed for dinner: he in a dark suit and shirt sans tie; she in a lightweight form-fitting minidress and heels. Emphasis on mini. She had a nice figure, good legs and youth on side, but then she started climbing the stairs. With the first step, she covered her behind with her purse, and held it there during her careful ascent to the street.

Style Note: If you're fully dressed, but have to cover your butt to keep your business to yourself, the dress is too short. If anyone can effortlessly spot your dainties/unmentionables/silkies or lack thereof, the dress is too short!

Her vain attempt to cover up tells me that very little thought went into her choice of attire. Perhaps it was her date's idea, or maybe her girlfriends cheered her on. Every woman wants to look good on a date; every woman wants to stun, stop traffic, and turn heads when she's out with that special someone. Realistically, though, a teeny bit of modesty is good. Mystery can be sexy.

Don't leave yourself vulnerable to drafts in air conditioned restaurants, cold seats on the subway, and unsolicited stares and comments. Slip into a maxidress (see May 23 post), a hot pair of dark wash jeans, fierce heels and a low-cut lacy blouse, or the ubiquitous LBD. I guarantee you won't have to use your purse for anything but carrying date night necessities: lipstick, cellphone, keys, and cab fare.