100 workouts by 30

okay.  as I inch closer and closer to my 30th birthday in 2017 I am realizing more things about myself.  one of the glaring realizations is that I am not the woman I was just four years ago.  i have a true admiration for her.  she took the odds, beat em, and strung her successes along to build a bridge from one point of her life to the next (which is now).  

a lot of the work I've been up to in the past few years has been awesome and some of it has been fruitless.  the woman who I look at every day in the daytime and at night; I have the utmost respect for her.  she is bonafide.  her support system is real.  her love is loud.  her conscience is 110% clear.  AND she is in a starkly different place than the young 20-something she was just a few years ago.  for example:  she's 20 lbs heavier and she really isn't clear on what goals to take on next.  

should she move to a distant land?  can she really bring that dream to reality?  where should she spend most of her time these days?  although I am a lot more sure in myself and who I am inherently, I have grown to truly trust myself, the future is a little unsure--and that's okay.  the less I know, the more I can create!  on that note I introduce a part of my work as I venture certainly into my 30s (and uncertainly in to what's next).  between now and April 2017, I will do 100 workouts in +/- 125 days.

what this goal means to me is a few things:

1.  my commitment to growing old powerfully (physically + mentally)

2. finally taking on my goal to lose 15 of the 20 lbs I've gained over the past 2.5 years

3. giving myself a fair position to take on the next steps.  i am a firm believer in sweat making life a level playing field.  you see more clearly and no one can outdo their best effort.  pushing myself physically daily challenges my mind, heart, and spirit makes the game more fun and engaging.  i will have to put in to it what i do actually want back out and that method will show up in my life elsewhere and in significant ways.

the ultimate goal is simply to end up stronger.  the second ultimate goal (lol) is to weigh 15 lbs lighter by the time my actual 30th birthday arrives (April 10th).  the final ultimate goal is to see what being honest with myself about an innermost desire gets me.

obviously I will document what's appropriate and what's possible and I will definitely track my successes and failures in the end.  so far, I have done one workout. :) this is one of the few goals I've set that excites me and scares me at the same time.  100 workouts will cost dollars, time, and inauthenticity.  i am incredibly tied to my physical being.  be it because I am an Aries or an athlete, for every bump there may be in my road, I can already call it that a real reaction will be expressed physically, verbally, and mentally if I come up against a tough time.  maybe I'll use this space to express myself, maybe I won't, but I am glad to have said it all aloud to the interwebs as I begin it.

whatever the case, I will see you all in April physically lighter, mentally fortuitous, and spiritually sound.  

peace

Melissa

Current Obsessions

Things I loved in August.

Kendrick Lamar Quotes: to me, Kendrick Lamar is a step below Cornel West with his wording sometimes.  He has a great message for a particular listener and to me is a true pioneer.

Huetiful Salon Chicago: a very healthy treatment. I've been going for a few months and in a pinch have had to see more than one stylist.  Each is equally professional, kind, and talented.  I love my results every time and truly feel good knowing that I'm nursing my hair every time I go.

Marine Layer Slub V-Neck Tees:  3 for 100.  Worth every penny.  365 day return policy.  Small business that's booming.  (Also, great style.)

Warby Parker Jennings Sunglasses:  I love this style so much that when I misplaced a pair, I bought another.  $99 well spent.

SPIFSTER:  super talented nail artist in Chicago.  I've known her for years and am just now going to see her regularly.  She's inspired me to shop consciously.  Partially because shopping small is awesome.  Mostly because she's DOPE a.f.

Bobino Key Clip:  my friend Keith James had a performance in Chicago and I was 45 min late because I was looking for my keys which I ultimately found in my purse for the night.  I frequent Francesca's boutique for jewelry and fun gifts and one day I found this little $5 clip.  It's a game changer.  I feel more organized and safe thanks to easy access to my keys.

UBER:  I don't really UBER because I drive, but when I travel I'm an Uber maniac.  I can estimate time better, let friends and family know my whereabouts, and give feedback immediately.  Easy peasy!  Use code:  eh2jo for your first ride.

Soul Cycle:  this is clear.  Soul Cycle is everything.  I only go once a week for cross-training and use it as the start to my week.  The music is just so dope and the instructors are so committed.  Seek out a free pass or just drop $25 for your first ride.  It's unlikely that you'll leave disappointed.

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Toners: I pride myself on having a simple and quality approach to everything I do.  I use Toners for two reasons:  1. Clarify the skin.  2. Cleaning my face after I workout.  I have a spray toner in my gym bag at all times to protect against breakouts.  Lush's products are so natural that you don't have to wipe them off.  I rotate between Tea Tree Water and Breath Of Fresh Air.  One to hydrate regularly and the tea tree for post workouts and when I'm breaking out more.

Summer House Santa Monica:  I love their sushi and appetizers.  The vibe is SUPER summery which is great for the chilly months in Chicago.  During the summer, they load up on rosé so I'd suggest taking an appetite and totally splitting a bottle with friends.

Kendrick Lamar quotes
Huetiful Salon Chicago
Marine Layer Slub V-Neck Tees
Warby Parker's Jennings Sunglasses
SPIFSTER
Bobino Key Clip
UBER
Soul Cycle
Lush Handmade Cosmetics Toners
Summer House Santa Monica

Enjoy!  Let me know what you think of the list.

Los Angeles

California has a certain, je nes ce quois.  I've always wanted to be a celebrity (duh) and always wanted to be seen, but never have wanted to make it happen in L.A.  I've been told by countless friends that Los Angeles would be "my kind of city" but in my mind I am just too trill.  This is not true.  I am still SO trill, and this city is, too!

*go to the bottom for a "long story short" if you want just the guide, this is a beefy post

So I land early Thursday morning and set up shop at my sister's house.  This is rare.  Every traveling Pro knows that you always hit the ground running when you land.  But I just wasn't feeling like a tourist in the moment.  So, I Google a taco place, walk to get post-flight lunch, and sit on the couch and watch movies (my favorite pastime).  

When 'E' gets home, we go grocery shopping, cook dinner, and my Aunt Dionne (she's famous, so she won't mind her name being used, lol) meets us before we head to Xen Lounge in Studio City.  There's an open mic filled to the brim with talent followed by a DJ and then, of course, bed.

The next morning is my B-DAY, and by the grace of God, I am heading to take my very first Soul Cycle class with Angela Davis in West Hollywood (WEHO) where I also have my first celebrity sighting and closest encounter with nirvana on the first day of my new year.  Angela was an effing BEAST and the vibe of the tribe was irresistible.  I was SOOOO elevated.  I mentioned that it was my first time + was given HELLA props for doing such a decent job.  This was really all because A.D. is such an amazing coach.  I sweat my ass off and then asked one of the most famous women ever about where to get a smoothie to refuel.  She makes a suggestion and I'm on 10 so I Google Maps it and walk my happy ass from WEHO right to the edge of Beverly Hills.  G-Maps (Google maps) got weird so I turned around and walked to another location that was said to be closer.  Here is where I grabbed a Pressed Juice: Chocolate Almond (per my childhood idol's request) and literally floated around town just taking in the sun and cozy temps.

*There was also a really steep hill that helped me to decide that I was taking Runyon Canyon and any other hiking workout OFF of my must-do list because it just wasn't something I wanted to do twice ..  I just didn't feel the need in my heart anymore.  (lol)

Back home, I started watching Bob's Burgers because my best friend had said it was a funny show like three years ago.  I chill and change clothes then hit the streets again to see what's up on Ventura Blvd.  Tonight's destination is PERCH and then Laugh Factory to see the homey @brianbabylon take the stage at midnight.  Dinner and drinks were amazing, B was hilarious, the night ended because there was fun to be had on Saturday.  And by fun I mean going to Melody Ehsani on Fairfax.

I plan it perfectly, breakfast, (was supposed to do a run club, but.. Meh), free brow wax at Benefit boutique, trot over to M.E. and leave with the Miniature Mercury Molecule earrings.  Also talk expansion with the shop clerk and hoping they expand to London, because we both want to work for companies that have int'l locations so that we can move overseas.  Back to sissy's house, dress, put in my new jewels, and head to Firefly where my friends Keith James and Niena Drake (both famous, too.. So I'm saying their names) link up and we just make moves.  There's a studio, more childhood friends, and a parody song I wrote about a grumpy manager who had blonde eyebrows and a red beard.  Dropping JUNE 2424.  Home.  Sleep for next day, which is beach day, duh!

Santa Monica (pictured) wow.  My sister and I BLAST the Black Star album from when we pulled out of her garage to when we parked on the promenade.  I cracked the window at the highway exit, turned to her, and said: "the air is different over here".  Just salty and refreshing.  Niena is here again, we walk along the coast, talk big dreams, and finish with a little dinner.  Back to the Valley, grumpy manager and friends are having a BBQ, we go, and its cool.  (I just love hanging with creative people.  They're so live!)

My last full day is Monday.  The night before my flight to Cali, I pulled up my Class Pass account and signed myself up for a Pop Physique class that turned out to be the perfect fit for such a chill day.  I cross the street to Lemonade restaurant and take home some amazing grub.  More Bob's Burgers on Netflix and a drive to pick sis up and head to get Ramen for my first time at Hakata Ramen Shinsengumi Little Tokyo.  Yum! There's a picture, but it just doesn't look appetizing so won't do the experience any justice.  Home, kick it with a few more friends, and pack for the airport the next afternoon.

Wake up late, visit family in West Los Angeles, Snapchat, IN-N-OUT Burgers (pretty tasty!), whiskey, plane.  Surrealness.  On my way home, I am just more clear and refueled and inspired.  I make some new goals, sleep a little, and am back at work in a matter of hours.  It was the best time and I am so grateful to everyone who made it feel like I was visiting a familiar place.

Although I never imagined myself a CALI girl, I do always have it on my mind now.  I plan to visit a lot more, next year, and see it as a part of my future in some capacity.  

I also  want to note the Farmer's Market at The Grove,  it's pretty cool!  Grabbed lunch there and loved the buzz of the peeps that day.

LONG STORY SHORT:

•Sign up for Class Pass because you can workout  anywhere.

•Go to Perch rooftop, Hakata Ramen, and Lemonade

•Melody Ehsani on Fairfax to 'get your wings'.

•Xen Lounge's open mic is fun

•SOUL CYCLE with Angela Davis!!!!

•Lunch at the Farmer's Market at The Grove (something for everyone).

•Pressed Juices Chocolate Almond (unless you have a nut allergy #disclaimer, lol)

•Make friends with strangers.

•Feel the ocean air

That's my list.

I'll be back California!  #getREADY

XOX,

Melissa

*also had a homeless man try to follow me on the bus.  I tricked him into getting off a stop early because I'm from effing Chicago and I'm keen on player creep ish.  NO SIR, NOT ME! HAHA