Aces Interview: Jessica Piha

The Aces interview series are a little look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world.---

Today in Aces, please meet Jessica Piha!

When Jess agreed to do an Aces interview for me, it felt right to either begin the month or end it with this pint-sized power chick. Jess and I met two years ago at an event. A few weeks later, we went out to lunch to talk blogging and PR, and our friendship's been flourishing ever since.

If you have the pleasure of knowing Jessica Piha, you'd join me in singing these same praises about her. Jess is one of the most supportive, giving people I have ever met. She's nice and sweet, sure, but don't underestimate her ferocity. We both started our own businesses last year, and though she had the skepticism and fear we all have when we're about to do something scary - she leapt right off into the world of entrepreneurism and hit the ground running. She's now one of the busiest publicists I know, and yet she always has time to spend with and be there for her support system. Life as an entrepreneur is much sweeter when you have a friend going through the same things. Thank you for always being a light and a friend, Jess.

What's on your playlist right now?

Country music. Rascal Flatts and The Dixie Chicks have really good break up songs. ;-)

Describe your style.

Pretty classic. 90% of my closet is Banana Republic and J.Crew. I generally wear a lot of stripes and nautical colors. Have taken a recent liking to C.Wonder. Minimal makeup (just mascara and Kari Gran lip whip and I’m ready to go) and I can’t enough pairs of Tods flats.

Who inspires you?

People who live with purpose and passion. My best friend Whitney, my friend Aimee, my client Marci Zaroff, every single female entrepreneur who is following their dream.

What are you reading?

The Rise & Fall of the Third Reich (book) and always my weekly New Yorker.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

Continuing to excel in my work and grow my business and personal brand, quality time with my incredible family, friends and dog Figgy, vacations to Napa Valley, Walla Walla, and my family summer home on Lopez Island, summer walks around Greenlake and dare I suggest, a little romance?

Thank you!

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Aces Interview: Sayra Morán

The Aces interview series are a little look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world.

Today in Aces, please meet Sayra Morán!

One of the reasons I decided to continue the Aces series after 30 Fresh was so I could feature and also get to know people I admired but didn't know very closely already. Sayra was one of the first people to come to mind. We met almost two years ago at a Seattle event for Miir bottles but have only kept in touch over Twitter. We have a lot in common, which made it easy for me to think of her when I wanted to do more interviews. We have a shared love of sports, Georges St. Pierre, philanthropy, music and so much more. I'm looking forward to getting to know her more in the future!

What's on your playlist right now?

My playlist right now consists of Coachella sets and as usual, music to dance and work out to. A lot of:

• Eric Prydz

• Pete Tong

• Daft Punk

• Macklemore

• Calvin Harris

• Above and Beyond

• and Phoenix to name a few.

Describe your style.

I can always be found in skinny jeans or a skirt and tights, that I love to pair with print/screen tees and a colorful blazer. I love to wear black so I try to balance that by adding pops of color and statement jewelry. Can't wait for spring to start wearing dresses, shorts and tanks regularly though!

Who inspires you?

Tough question for me as I feel so many people in my life inspire me. My mom. The extremely-gifted author Paulo Coelho. My friends and family are all huge inspirations to me. I love to surround myself with people who are moving and shaking things up in their life, traveling, learning and loving, people who have passion and the drive to experience life and meet their goals.

What are you reading?

I just read the book Tuesdays with Morrie and loved it. The Prophet by Khalil Gibran is a recent read too and I was floored by its beauty. Next book on my reading list is The Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho. I am an article and blog post collector and am constantly perusing Twitter for new content to favorite and read in my down time.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

I'm really excited about my job that is constantly challenging me and pushes me to be a better businesswoman, traveling to Utah next month to see my family and friends, the new Daft Punk album and in keeping the positive energy going! 2013 has been a great time already and I'm excited to see what else comes my way.

Thank you! Follow Sayra on Twitter, Instagram and sporadically blogging at SayraGrissel.com.

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Get Scattered.

I had the opportunity to check out a screening of Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s. For someone who has gone to fashion school, I’m almost ashamed to say that I was never really familiar with Bergdorf Goodman. The only assumption I had was that it was a New York Department Store on 5th Ave that sold expensive things to rich folks. 

The documentary consists of collected footage that spans over about 1 ½ years. It includes a look into the store itself – the history, the employees, and the culture. Mixed in were numerous and hilarious interviews with designers that I absolutely adore; Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, and Karl Lagerfeld just to name a few. They shared their story of how they got into Bergdorf Goodman and how the road in wasn’t easy, in fact some designers still aren’t in yet! I was fascinated by all the stories shared and how iconic this store is and how it will be forever.

Although the film does jump all over the place, behind all the footage, there was a little story! It focused on the work of the Visual team at BG. (I feel so cool now saying BG, just like a true Nordstrom shopper says Nordys.) Viewers got to see the behind the scenes planning, preparation, and unveiling of their Holiday window displays. Unbelievably gorgeous! 

To sum it up, I now know Bergdorf’s is the best of the best! I would love to make a trip to NYC to see it for myself. If you want to get a dose of fashion or get a look into the BG world the film starts playing this Friday, May 24th at the Varsity Theatre in the U-District! 

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Sarah Basto is a born and raised Seattleite. She’s a former merchandise marketing student of The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and is currently working as a marketing manager at a local nanny agency and serves as the PR & marketing intern for local luxury swimwear company Adicora Swimwear. She’s obsessed with all things Seattle and is interested in just about everything – this explains why she considers herself an entreprenista in the making! Outside of work Sarah loves spending time with her family and friends, baking, exploring the city, and being a full-time happy hour guru.

Find Sarah on Twitter, and view all of her posts here.

Aces Interview: Jammie Chasteen

The Aces interview series are a little look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world.---

Today in Aces, please meet Jammie Chasteen!

Jammie's whirlwind story brought her to Seattle for a short while. We met at another blogger's shopping party at Banana Republic, and kept in touch over Twitter. It wasn't until the week before she made a big move to L.A. that we finally sat down together for something longer than a passing conversation. All it took was a little happy hour to know that she and I would have a long-lasting friendship. Now, she's at the top of my list for people I absolutely have to see every time I'm in the City of Angels!

I adore Jammie's resilience and good spirit. I respect and admire Jammie's ever-evolving relationship with God and how it shapes her life. Though I am not very religious myself, I am a big believer that you should always be nurturing your spiritual self. Your spirit and energy are huge driving factors in your life, and how you deal with what happens to you. Jammie's got the strength and persistence of a true hustler, and I'm a fan of hers for that. Long story short, Jammie's move to L.A. was a fresh start to her next decade, and I am grateful to be her friend throughout a year or so of successes and lessons learned.

What's on your playlist right now?

Right now I have three in constant rotation:

• I'm obsessed with Maroon 5 after seeing them live.

• I listen to Hillsong United pretty much every morning.

• I'm a huge Frank Sinatra fan and love anyone in the jazz/easy listening/big band genre. Rain + wine + cooking + this playlist = perfection.

But generally, my music taste is all over the board and my playlist making skills are subpar. So I’m very thankful for Spotify and the fact that I can rely on playlists- not made by me.

Describe your style.

I'm a little New York and a lot L.A.

Give me a maxi dress and some sandals or yoga pants, flip flops and a tank any day. That's the basis of my wardrobe, especially since moving to SoCal. My style is definitely a reflection of my personality. Although I can be the easy- going/soft-spoken type, I also have an adventurous side and an unexpected edge. Cue my love of all black everything, studded anything and the highest of heels.

When I travel I am so inspired by my surroundings and the locals. I love layering when I'm in Seattle, dressing to the nines in Paris (I say that like I’ve been more than once), buying colorful jewels and scarves at the marketplace in Israel, and my studded over the knee Stuart Weitzman boots go with everything I pack for New York. When in Rome...

Overall, I have fun dressing for the occasion. I don't take fashion too seriously and I almost always wear a bright pink lip. It's my “signature”. Or something like that?

Who inspires you?

My friends and family, I am surrounded by amazing people and I try to learn something from each one of them. My parents taught me the power of love. They've been married over 30 years and raised 7 kids. If they know how to do one thing in life, it's how to love. Side note: I just sang the Lil Wayne song while typing. Guilty. I digress… My siblings have taught me to laugh more, be me, and not take myself so seriously. My friends have pushed me to be better all around. Some setting examples of healthy living, some live so full of faith it just amazes me, some living their dreams and making things happen, others are such selfless humans who would give anything to anyone who needed it. My friends who take risks, my family who has taken me in when I needed to start over in life and everyone who lives life to the fullest. My best friend, Melissa, has lived out the definition of a true friend. I really don’t know if there’s anything much more inspiring than that. And you, Jess, are an inspiration to chase dreams, make your passion your work, and keep on hustlin baby.

What are you reading?

As with the playlists, my ADD brain cannot grasp the concept of reading A book! I've always got at least 5 on my iPad. A mix of learning and fun reads. Right now a few are: The Great Gatsby, Jesus Is ____., and Super Rich (for the second time). If you tell me that you are going through a hard time in life, chances are that I will recommend a book to you. I’m THAT girl. Got a problem, need advice, going on vacation? There’s a book for that!

I can't get enough of the TED talks. They really come in handy during my morning commute. L.A. traffic is much more bearable when listening to these passionate, positive and driven speakers. My most recent favorite was Aliza Licht, aka DKNY PR girl. She played a major part of my Twitter story and how I became a stylist.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

I’m just REALLY excited for life in general. It’s been a roller coaster since turning 30 (see her 30 post here.) The past few years have been rough, yet character refining. You find out who you are in the valley and now that I’m closer to the mountaintop I’m ready to live life 100% authentically for the first time in a long time. I’ve accumulated the best group of friends and gotten closer to my family. Now I’m enjoying just doing life with every single one of them. Since moving to LA, everything has been an adventure and I never know what will happen next. One moment I’m styling for an editorial shoot and the next I’m riding to lunch in a helicopter, front row at a concert or just chatting over coffee with a celeb… no big deal. My new favorite saying is: Only In LA! I’m so thankful for everything happening and my heart is so full of love it could burst. I hope to get back into blogging and styling within the next few months, so that’s exciting too. But whatever happens happens and I’ll be here to make the best of it.

Thank you!

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Aces Interview: Nohe Ka

The interview series I started last month during 30Fresh has resonated so well with readers that I've decided to extend the series indefinitely! From now on, these interviews will be a look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world. To see all of these interviews, look for the Aces tag.

Today in Aces, please meet one third of my Pretty Gang and one of the most beautiful island girls I've ever seen, Nohe Ka!

Let's talk about how I was too intimidated by Nohe when I first met her to even have a straight conversation with her. Imagine a tall, gorgeous Hawaiian athlete girl strolling around Niketown. Then imagine a tiny, awkward Filipino college girl just trying to make a living dressing mannequins in the same store. Though Nohe's known my best friend Paula their whole lives, I never really talked to her much until recently. Thank you once again to based God & Twitter!

Nohe is the picture of how to make single motherhood life look effortless while having and doing it all. She holds down a stellar job at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and raises her young daughter to be just as well-rounded as she is, while staying close with her parents & brother, and regularly entertaining fun dance parties and nights out with Paula and I. OH and don't get me started on her cooking skills. Chicken adobo, spam musubi, all that. I feel like I can't go a week without seeing my two favorite island girls, and glad to have a forum for you all to meet them.

What's on your playlist right now?

Major Lazer, Major Lazer, Major Lazer. Ever since their concert in March that’s 90% of what I’m listening to, the other 10% is Miguel. The How Many Drinks Remix with Kendrick Lamar is everything!

Describe your style.

I think my style is diverse, my friends have also said sophisticated MILF. I absolutely LOVE accessories - from scarves, jewelry, watches and of course handbags. Louis Vuitton will always be a weakness of mine. I’m usually in black, always in heels and will pay a small fortune for a good white tee.

Who inspires you?

My boo, Anuhea and my parents. They all put perspective in my life and keep me grounded. Anu makes me want to be a better person and brings laughter to my life every day. My parents are great role models and I feel like I’m a combination of both. My dad is stern and intimidating. My mom is smart, kind and considerate. The #1 thing they’ve taught me is loyalty.

What are you reading?

I’ve been reading a lot of nonprofit benchmarking reports for work, Fresh Jess (this month’s posts are my 7am highlight I look for on the train) and any YouTube videos you or Paula send me. Ha!!

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

There are a lot of exciting things going on for me at work now and in the coming months. Two big things in my work life right now are Project Violet and Obliteride. Project Violet is an inspired grassroots project to allow people in the community to “adopt-a-drug” for $100 and follow that drug through the research process. Obliteride is our new annual bike ride taking place August 9-11. What’s unique about this ride, besides the picturesque routes, is that 100% of every dollar will go directly to the research at Fred Hutch. It’s exciting because we’re trying new strategies to offset the drop in government funding due to sequestration. Oh! And highlight of the summer will be Hawaii in July for my family reunion. We’ll be spending time on the Big Island and Honolulu. No doubt I’ll be eating the entire time.

Thank you!

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

A #KINDawesome Time at The Color Run Seattle 2013

What better way to get fit & fresh on a Sunday than "The Happiest 5k on the Planet?" 

KIND Snacks invited me to be one of their #KINDawesome correspondents at The Color Run Seattle on Sunday, and what an experience it was. While the Run is more about having a blast while getting blasted with color than any measure of athleticism, I still got a great workout in. I also met some great people and we made quite the fashion statement all over Seattle Center and downtown. It was my first time doing a 5k for real (I'd actually done PAWSwalk a couple of times, but we never walk the full route b/c we'd always had a bulldog with us!) Here's how it went!

How many 5ks you know have a whole weekend check-in party before it even starts?

The Color Run took over the Seattle Center Pavilion on Friday and Saturday so we could pick up our packets early. Music blasting, tutu-buying, and packet passing all around.

It was a cloudy but humid Seattle Sunday morning. Perfect weather for a run!

Hangin' with the KIND team before lining up for the race:

Prepping for the afterparty:

Got my sunnies on, headphones in, Spotify playlist of songs I'm currently obsessed with on repeat, and iPhone securely tucked away.

Here we go!

To be honest, I wanted to take photos during the race but after getting blasted in the first Color Zone, decided it was against my better judgment to do so. Oh, and for those of you who are wondering: there are four Color Zones during the Run, where teams of Color Run volunteers are ready to blast you with color. Never fear, though - it's just corn starch in squirt bottles, so no harm done to your physical or emotional well-being :)

This was right after I'd finished the Run.

I've got a good amount of color all over me, but can use some more....

After the Run, everyone congregated back in the main staging area for a giant party. Every 10 minutes or so, the party turned into a Color Throw session, where we'd throw even more color into the air and all over each other!

The-Color-Run-Seattle

Finished product. Lookin' like the human version of Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know" video!

Ever so grateful to KIND for giving me this opportunity!

One for the road :)

Peep all my photos on the Fresh Jess Facebook page. If you're looking for an easy segue into the world of 5ks, or one to do with family or friends, I'd definitely recommend signing up for The Color Run. Head over to TheColorRun.com and sign up for their email list to see when they'll be in your town next - they sell out real fast! Thanks again, KIND!

Aces Interview: Kelly Ogilvie

The interview series I started last month during 30Fresh has resonated so well with readers that I've decided to extend the series indefinitely! From now on, these interviews will be a look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world. To see all of these interviews, look for the Aces tag.

Today in Aces, please meet a dear friend and true hustler, Kelly Ogilvie!

I've known Kelly for almost ten years now, and he's been an incredible role model for me and so many others since. He's like a big brother I didn't know I had! I met him for the first time while I was an intern at the Downtown Seattle Association and he was serving on former Mayor Greg Nickels' team. Less than a year later, we both ended up at the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, where he served as Director of Government Relations and I served as the Chamber's events director. He left the Chamber to found Blue Marble Energy with a focus on turning algae blooms into a renewable fuel source. He's now working on another startup, Quemulus (read more in his interview) and on Social Milli, a social media consultancy.

Having met him when I was maybe 22, I couldn't comprehend how someone just a little older than me was accomplishing so much and yet had his eye on leaving an even greater impact on the world. I admire his passion for giving back to his community, on a local and global level, changing the world for the better. Don't be surprised if you see Kelly on the stage at TED or the World Leaders' Summit someday, because I sure won't. I can say that Kelly has always been someone for me to look up to, and any success I have has been fueled by seeing the things he's done in just a few short years.

What's on your playlist right now?

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis "Can't Hold Us". I love the song because it has an aspirational quality to it. That, and the fact that at the end of his video he lands on the Space Needle and hoists a flag. He reps so hard for Seattle; how can you not get behind that?

Describe your style.

My parents subscribed to the Cary Grant school of fashion and instilled some basic ideas:

1. Buy a few nice things you can afford, not lots of things, and;

2. A man should wear the suit, the suit shouldn't wear the man.

So I'd say my style is professional-casual. Devil wears Chucks. Blazer and blue jeans with a timepiece. Minimal bling.

Who inspires you?

Neil DeGrasse Tyson. He's an astrophysicist who's dedicated his life to making science accessible and exciting for people. He's a great story teller and makes a compelling case for scientific literacy.

What are you reading? 

I just finished the book Ender's Game. A movie based on it is coming out this year (w Harrison Ford), and I have to say it's one of the best fiction books I've ever read. It's set in a dystopian future where young kids are genetically engineered to be geniuses, and used to fight in wars. The book has a twist that you just don't see coming. Highly recommend it.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

Quemulus (cue-mu--lus, like the cloud) launches is a few months! We're going to provide an easy (and free) way for people to save, send & receive money. The goal is to make money an extension of our social networks, and to give people an alternative credit option. For example, if someone doesn't want to go to a bank or apply for a credit card, they can go to their network with Quemulus to raise $$. June is the target launch date! Quemulus.com is the signup page for BETA users.

Thank you!

Read all of my  Aces interviews here.

Life as Creative Director of TEDxUofW (Contributor Post)

*Please meet Emilee Goo, my fifth and final new contributor to Fresh Jess! Emilee will wax poetic on Seattle, travel, college life and more. She recently served as creative director for the TEDxUofW conference. Read on to see what her experience was like, and peep her bio at the end of this post. Enjoy!

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A week ago, a student organization I'm a part of, TEDxUofW, hosted our second annual event on the University of Washington campus here in Seattle. It was without a doubt one of the most inspirational days to have come out of this campus. I wish more students could have attended. We heard from nine speakers all with varied backgrounds and stories to tell, some of which were current undergraduates, faculty and alumni. Somehow everyone was connected not only to this fine establishment but for a bigger and brighter cause. To purely spread ideas worth knowing. The entire concept behind TED itself is "Ideas worth spreading". It seems so simple yet so empowering and can really go beyond your imagination and yourself.

Being a part of this opportunity and taking on the creative director position has made this entire rollercoaster of an experience worthwhile. It truly astonishes me how incredibly smart young people can be. Three years into my undergrad career, I've realized the capacity we, the young and creative "potentials" have from turning someone's day through random acts of kindness like buying a random person a coffee, creating an ingenious organization to better your community or why not, just create a start-up out of your 10x10 square foot dorm room. Having surrounded myself with such positive and bright people has made me realize how incredibly blessed I am to have what I do have.

Days before the event, while talking with some friends on our way to pick up some last minute items at my favorite store (Costco), it hit me how we were able to hustle our asses off in putting together this event. With a hardcore group of rad people, we collectively came up with sponsors, speakers, our own website, the aesthetics of the room, the center piece cut outs, the lighting, the audio, the video and even the swag bags. We, us measely ol' students, had the capacity to truly accomplish such an amazing day to spread ideas worth knowing.

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Emilee Goo is an aspiring creator and adventurer living in Seattle, WA. She's currently a senior at the University of Washington double-majoring in communications and interdisciplinary visual arts. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, but is Seattle-grown and Hawaiian at heart. She has had past experience working with Nectar Communications, State Farm Insurance, TEDxUofW, UW PRSSA and BSSP. She is a fashion enthusiast thriving on travel, food, culture, art and photography. She loves to blog ever since she discovered blogging with a friend during her high school years, and is now introduced to a whole new world filled with creative people. She loves sharing her interests over at her own blog, Life of Goobers.

Aces Interview: Steven Severin

The interview series I started last month during 30Fresh has resonated so well with readers that I've decided to extend the series indefinitely! From now on, these interviews will be a look into the lifestyle of people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world. To see all of these interviews, look for the Aces tag.

Today I have the honor of sharing with you a Seattle's "Rainmaker." Meet Steven Severin!

If you've ever enjoyed a show or a night out on Capitol Hill (and probably many other places in the city), most likely Steven Severin had something to do with it. His Neumos / Barboza / Moe Bar / Pike St. Fish Fry establishments are arguably the heart of Seattle's nightlife, steady beating lively for over 20 years (Severin is also part of the team behind Li'l Woody's.) Certainly that block has come to be the center of activity on the Hill. I've always had indirect connections to Severin - I knew of him but I didn't know him. I figured we'd meet one day at one of his venues or at City Arts Fest, which he also oversaw for the past three years. Funny enough, we meet one sunny Saturday when I'm watching my friend Sara's store, SPUN Sustainable Collective and he stops into Porchlight Coffee next door for his usual coffee & chat with Porchlight owner Zack Bolotin. As fellow Seattle die-hards and consistent supporters of local small businesses, I guess I shouldn't be that surprised. I loved getting to know Steven through this short interview, and hope you enjoy too:

What's on your playlist right now?

My playlist is kind of funny actually. There's two ways that I generally listen to music. When I'm walking around  (I walk pretty much everywhere), I listen to what's on my iTunes. I decided at the beginning of the year that I was going to listen to every track in alphabetical order. I'm currently in the G's. The last 5 tracks were: Erykah Badu, The Weeknd, Fucked Up, Charles Bradley, and The Black Keys. What's coming up is: William Elliot Whitmore, Kanye, My Morning Jacket, Black Flag, and The Maldives.

The other thing I do is listen to everything new on Spotify. If I listen to it at least twice, then I'll buy it. Right now that's Shuggie Otis, Alice Russell, Melvins, Daughter, and Trinidad James. I'm about to go on a Slayer marathon as I just found out that Jeff Hanneman passed away yesterday. I'm crushed. I've seen them more times than almost any band. The Melvins, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Hush Harbour are up there with having seen 25+ times too.

Describe your style.

My style is "the sneakers always match the shirts."  Other folks may not think it's matching, but my color scheme can be different than others. My wife thinks I'm colorblind. Probably am a little bit. I think pink and green is a great color combo. Don't you?

Who inspires you?

Inspiration is a funny thing to me. I know this is kind of cliche to say, but the Dalai Lama inspires me. I have a book called the Path to Tranquility which gives you a small way to think about the world or yourself every day. I read it each day and try and keep that idea in mind. I struggle to be a better person every single day. I'm a lot better than I used to be, but in this world it's tough. Lots of hate out there. I do just do my best to avoid that shit.

One person that I do look up to in this city is Tim Keck, publisher of The Stranger.

I was at a Stranger Holiday party and then writer Christopher Frizzelle said that Tim was the guy that he hopes he grows up to be. I thought he was joking and I started to defend Tim when I found out he was serious, I said I do too. If you don't know the man, he's one of the best.

What are you reading? 

As far as books, let's see: I just finished Casual Vacancy a week or so a go which was pretty good. Just started the Girl who Played with Fire, the second in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. I'm totally hooked. I'm also reading the new book by the guy who wrote The White Tiger (Aravind Adiga.)  Really good book. My favorite authors right now are Gary Shtyengart and Murakami. I guess I can't really get enough of Dave Eggers either. What is the What was kind of a life changing book for me. I love to read. Wish I had more time for it.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

I'm excited about having more time. I've recently hired a new assistant, which is giving me more time to have fun. I stopped doing City Arts Fest this year after 3 years, which is kind of awesome even though a little sad. It was basically a full-time job that I did while I have all my other day and night jobs. I am really focusing on less work and more fun. Of course, there's always a couple irons in the fire with consulting etc., but trying not to take on any more 40 hour a week gigs. Ha ha.

Thank you!

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

(30Fresh) Aces: Anisa Ghadrshenas

Oh you thought it was over?!?

The interview series I started last month during 30Fresh has resonated so well with readers that I've decided to extend the series indefinitely! You met my best friends last month, but from now on you'll hear from people I admire who are doing amazing things for their community and world. To see all of these interviews, look for the Aces tag.

Today's interview is actually one that should have gone live during 30Fresh but alas, working internationally and life got in the way. Meet another one of my bests, Anisa Ghadrshenas!

Being ridiculous 

How we met (her version):

So I think the very first time we met was at GirlsNFootball - but I would say you and I really got to know each other through our time at Banyan Branch - when you guys sponsored the Mona Foundation project, and through various other social and community events/projects that we did together, or supported each other on (THAW fashion show, etc.) I'd also say that just in general, one of the things that attracted me to you was your community orientation - you've always made a point to support the people and causes that matter to you, and in my own way, this has been the cornerstone of everything I've ever wanted to do with my life, so I think that's why we became friends. Each time we struggled, one of us would get the other person back on track. There are so many conversations that I have had with you that I am grateful for, and that put things into perspective for me. But I digress :)

I'd like to add:

We met at a random girls' get together but what really brought us together was finding our sense of purpose, in community service and a shared admiration for some of the world's best leaders. Anisa's got the biggest heart and warmest energy of anyone I know. Talk to anyone who knows her and they wouldn't hesitate to say the same thing. While I know working in Africa is your dream job and an incredible opportunity, there's definitely an unfillable void back here in the States. I cherish our conversations and time we do get to spend together greatly. Your intelligence and ambition paired with your deep-seeded passion for giving back to the world are truly unmatched.

What's on your playlist right now?

My playlist right now is full of everything that reminds me of Seattle:

• Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

• Kris Orlowski

• Other Lives

• Blue Scholars

• Mumford and Sons

• Arcade Fire

• Allen Stone

• Matt Costa

• Jack Johnson :)

Describe your style.

I surround myself with ladies who have a fierce and bold aptitude for fashion, and I love the ideas I get from each of them. However, I would say that my style tends to be pretty classic, and while I will occasionally get out of my comfort zone with the bright cardigan, or the bold-colored heels, I usually stick with the classic, famine lines that I'm most comfortable in. While I've been known to splurge on the occasional dress or handbag, most of my most treasured pieces are ones that I have found at consignment shops, thrift shops, or have been gifted to me by my girlfriends - one of a kind, simple, classic.

Anisa-Ghadrshenas-Jess-Estrada

Anisa made Coachella an unforgettable experience

Who inspires you?

I feel very fortunate that in all my circles, I am surrounded by some of the greatest people on this planet. I sometimes stop and think to myself, how did I get so lucky? I have friends who are entrepreneurs, designers, teachers, writers, philanthropists, scientists, filmmakers, homemakers - no one doing the same thing, but all following their the beat of their own drum. I find constant inspiration in watching them take intelligent and bold risks to accomplish something great in the world. I am so grateful for their example, their encouragement and in what I believe is a collection action that will make this world a better place. This is what keeps me on my path. This is what I live for.

What are you reading? 

Since moving to Kenya, I've been reading a lot about the history of many of the countries I travel through. Some of my favorites have been: "It's our turn to eat" about Kenya, "We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families" about Rwanda, and " The teeth may smile but the heart does not forget" about Uganda. My daily reads include: Harvard Business Review, Huffington Post Women's Page, and Co.Exist.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

The coming months are a little uncertain for me right now. I've been living in Kenya for almost a year and half working with the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and I love my work. But I'm starting to think about what the next steps are for me, both professionally and personally, and while I'm not entirely sure what that looks like, I feel like there are infinite possibilities, and I trust that with hard work, faith, and love, all will unfold as it's meant to.

Thank you!

Read all of my Aces interviews here.

Keep The Beacon Lit! Massive Monkees Give Back

It's rare to see a group of friends successfully turn a hobby into a full-fledged business, and yet the Massive Monkees have done just that. Massive is a breakdancing crew born in 1999 here in Seattle. It's been a whirlwind ride since then, with the team achieving international fame (remember America's Best Dance Crew?), world championships and numerous endorsements. While this could have easily parlayed into a launchpad for the individual careers of a few of its standout dancers, Massive instead stuck together and turned their collective efforts back into the city that raised them.

In January of this year, the team opened The Beacon, a 2000+ sf studio in the International District that was was made possible through a grant from Storefronts Seattle. Over 400 students, both young and old, have since walked through The Beacon's doors for the opportunity to dance and learn from members of the Massive Monkees as well as local dance professionals, like Amy O'Neal, Splinter Dance Company and C&C Fitness Studio.

Their grant with Storefronts Seattle is coming to an end this month, and they've started a Kickstarter to help Keep the Beacon Lit.

Photo courtesy Massive Monkees The Studio's Facebook page

I've been a fan of the Massive Monkees for almost their entire existence. They've been a part of my life through appearances at the University of Washington, Pista sa Nayon and more. I never forget the first Massive Monkees Day proclaimed to them by former Seattle mayor Greg Nickels in 2004. It was my birthday :) It feels like I've grown up with them, and for that I want to see them succeed however I can.

 As a crew, we have shared in these experiences that have changed our lives for better in so many ways. We recognize how great of a gift that was for us and recognize that we now have an opportunity to carry on the tradition and pay that forward to the next generation of dancers and young artists. Through Massive Monkees classes, workshops, school shows, community events and Massive Monkees Studio: The Beacon, hopefully we can give them the tools to take it to the next level and go on to accomplish great things as well.

They are just about halfway to their goal of $30,000 with a little over two weeks left! Head over to their Kickstarter page for more info and to donate.

Thanks to Brysen Angeles & Joe Stolte for their help in creating this post!

Ariana Grande: Mariah, is that you? (Contributor Post)

*I've got a doubleheader today! Please meet another one of my fabulous contributors, Sarah Basto! She'll be sharing new music, fashion and more here on Fresh Jess. Peep Sarah's bio at the end of this post.  Enjoy!
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I've been abusing my repeat button lately bumpin' The Way by Ariana Grande. Some of you may know her as Cat Valentine, the red-headed friend of Tori on Nickelodeon's Victorious. And if that doesn't ring a bell, then you're probably someone who doesn't follow these teeny-bopper shows, unlike me who's intrigued by them. (I have no shame whatsoever!)

I'm usually a little skeptical when it comes to hearing music made by teen stars coming from huge networks, but a friend of mine insisted I give it a listen and boy, I'm glad I did. She is seriously a young Mariah Carey in the making.

This song embodies everything I love about the 90's and represents what I believe the music industry has been lacking lately.  It samples Big Pun's classic, "Still Not A Player" and once I heard the beat combined with her voice I was absolutely mind-blown. Ariana can sing! The song takes me back to Mariah Carey's Daydream album days and just puts a big fat smile on my face. Everytime I hear it, I can't help but clap my hands and dance.

I'm eager to hear what she has in store for her debut album, Daydreamin' (gee, I wonder where she got that from!) out later this year. Give it a listen and let me know if you dig it too!

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Sarah Basto is a born and raised Seattleite. She’s a former merchandise marketing student of The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and is currently working as a marketing manager at a local nanny agency and serves as the PR & marketing intern for local luxury swimwear company Adicora Swimwear. She’s obsessed with all things Seattle and is interested in just about everything – this explains why she considers herself an entreprenista in the making! Outside of work Sarah loves spending time with her family and friends, baking, exploring the city, and being a full-time happy hour guru.

Find Sarah on Twitter.

10 Menswear Brands to Look Out For (Contributor Post)

*Now that 30Fresh is over, I'm toying around a lot with the direction I'd like to take Fresh Jess. One thing is for sure, and that's my new, amazing team of contributors. I'm delighted to introduce you to James Kim! Watch for James' insights on menswear and streetwear on the blog on a regular basis, and peep his bio at the end oft his post. Enjoy!

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For all the guys looking to upgrade your wardrobe, today I will introduce you to 10 brands I think you should look out for this year. Some of the brands have been around for a couple of years, and others just started recently. In no particular order:

1. En Noir

En Noir has impressed me from the jump. They pretty much started the renaissance designs on t-shirts trend. Rob Garcia, formerly of Black Scale, has really impressed me with his leather quality and his wax gradient tees. En Noir has been around for less than a year, and are already doing NY and Paris Fashion Week shows. Celebrities like Kanye West rock en noir religiously. The use of black and minimalistic/ready to wear designs is the foundation of this brand. This is young brand is definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world. You can check out more of their collection here and check out their video to learn a little more.

2. John Elliott + Co.

First thing I want to say about John Elliott + Co., is that I LOVE this brand. John Elliott + Co. are masters of the basic essentials game. Custom blended cotton, breathability, and the perfect silhouette make John Elliott tees some of the greatest. They do everything to make the tees quality, comfortable, and aesthetically appealing. They also have a wide range of quality zip ups, hoodies, sweaters, and denim. You can find them here. You can also check out their Spring/Summer teaser.

3. Superb

Hailing from the streets of LA, Superb has been one of my favorite streetwear brands for a while. I became friends with the owner via Twitter/Instagram, and I respect the guy a lot. They definitely stick with their streetwear roots. Their creativity and originality cannot be overlooked. Locally they can found at The Cool in Southcenter, or online.

4. Rich Kids Brand

Seattle’s own Rich Kids Brand has been steady growing from the start! They have been getting love from major sites like Complex, The Source, and Upscale Hype, just to name a few. The list of celebrities rocking their gear is impressive for this young brand. Everyone from Lil Wayne to Ludacris to JAY-Z! I am lucky enough to be part of the RK family, and to experience the growth first hand is great. You can find Rich Kids locally at Urbanity in Seattle. You can also catch me working their events! RK events are really fun so if you’re in the Seattle area you should definitely come out! RK will continue to put out quality, and the growth will not stop. RK caters to the ladies too so definitely go buy some shirts and represent! You can find RK here, and you can check out their Spring 13 video.

5. Us Versus Them

Us Versus Them has been around for a while now. They started as a creative outlet for the SoCal store Versus. They have been around for a while, but I still do not see that many people wearing Us Versus Them. I love their logo, their rebelliousness, and their creativity. I respect them for wanting to build the culture up, for giving respect where it is due, and for inspiring the youth to take their own paths. You can find Us Versus Them online.

6. Kith NYC

Ronnie Fieg is one of my favorite designers ever. Anything he touches is gold. His creativity is something I definitely respect and admire. He owns boutiques in NYC called Kith. He does footwear collaborations with Asics, New Balance, Adidas, Sebago, Saucony, Red Wings, Clarks, and many more. Pretty much anything Ronnie puts his hands on, they sell out with a quickness. His apparel label with Kith has been of the coolest things I have ever seen. Kith releases apparel collections in colored labels. It started with the Red Label which included a lot of camo prints and leopard prints. Then the Blue Label introduced mercer pants, floral M-65 style jackets, and oxfords. Now they just released the White Label which includes varick side zip sweaters, mercer pants, Seattle’s own Ebbets’ satin field jackets, and even made a kid collection if your kid is bout that life. You can peep the lookbook and cop some gear here.

7. Beastin

Reigning all the way from Germany, Beastin’s spring collection has really impressed me. Their lookbook for spring is one of the dopest I have ever seen! They shot it in Portugal, and the views are amazing to say the least! This lookbook makes me want to buy all their clothes, and makes me want to hop on a flight to Portugal right now. On a very random side note, I just listened to Lil Jon- Snap Yo Fingers. Who remembers this? Don’t judge me. Peep the lookbook here.

8. Still Good

Still Good is a line from Paris by Clement Taverniti. Taverniti has worked for brands like Drives Van Noten and Kitsune. I love his take on classic pieces, and how he just makes everything his own. He does a great job incorporating different details, geometric shapes, and patterns into his garments. You can check out Still Good online.

9. Bee Line by Billionaire Boys Club

Bee Line by Billionaire Boys Club started as a shoe project that turned into a full collection. The legendary Mark McNairy and Pharrell Williams brought the best of both worlds in the Bee Line collections. I personally describe my own style as street mixed with menswear, and this collection nails that perfectly. Street aesthetics with classic American fits. View the whole collection here.

10. Publish Brand

Publish Brand has been around for a couple of years now, and most of you have probably heard of them already. I feel like this brand has a lot of potential to get even bigger than they already are. Each season their garments are getting more and more impressive. I am a huge fan of their Jogger pants because they accentuate your shoes so nicely! Publish aims to deliver you classic pieces that are essential to your wardrobe. You can find Publish at Urbanity in Seattle, or online.

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My name is James Kim and I am 22 years old. I am from Tacoma, WA. I work at Urbanity in Seattle. I co-own a screen printing company called Saltwater Graphics, and am working on my own line with some friends called FAM apparel. I am also a youth group leader at my church, and enjoy doing that a ton. Fashion, sports, and movies are some of my favorite things. I love playing sports, and spending time outside, especially when we have nice weather here in Seattle. Looking forward to getting to know the readers!

Find James on Twitter.

30Fresh Aces: Paula Aio

Each week during 30Fresh, I'll introduce you to a couple of incredible people whose soul, energy, humor, talent, intellect and dreams light up my life. I think the world of them and hope you do too!

On this last day of 30Fresh, it's my pleasure to introduce you to my best friend of 16+ years, Paula Aio!

Paula and I met in 8th grade P.E. class back in good old Kent. We figured out right away it was more fun talking to each other and dancing to songs like Bell Biv Devoe's 'Poison' while standing in line waiting to play soccer and running a mile than it was to deal with the awkwardness of junior high alone. We were talking just the other day about how the group of friends we rolled with in junior and high school were so much fun and yet somehow we stayed away from career-ending poor decisions youngsters sometimes get into. LOL!

Paula's stuck by me throughout college, our shared time working at Niketown with the coolest coworkers in the world, and this crazy career of mine. We have a lot in common, but music is by far our strongest bond. To be honest, I'm not sure why she hangs out with me because her music tastes are way more diverse and classy than mine. I mean, I can never have enough Gucci Mane. But this isn't about me. I can say with full certainty that Paula is one of the nicest people walking this fine planet, with the biggest heart to boot. In high school, she won Best Dancer senior year. That's why it's no surprise she's now a Zumba teacher whose classes are rich with salsa, merengue, cumbia, hula, hip-hop and maybe even a little bit of twerkin' too. Whenever I take one of Paula's Zumba classes, my heart swells with pride because it's clear she's in her element - and her students totally respond to her amazing energy. They are diehards for her class, dressing up in tutus and all! I feel like the world is just seeing what Paula is capable of, including Paula herself. I'm excited and a little scared for y'all now that Romy and Michele (one of our favorite movies next to The Count of Monte Cristo & Lilo & Stitch) have approached their 30s! Now that we have a better grip on ourselves, this decade's 'bout to ROCK.

WE JUST GETTIN STARTED Y'ALL!

Paula decided a video was the best way to answer her interview questions. Enjoy :)

Thank you! 30Fresh. 30 days of posts celebrating 30 years - and 5 of Fresh Jess!

30Fresh Aces: Byron Gronseth

Each week during 30Fresh, I'll introduce you to a couple of incredible people whose soul, energy, humor, talent, intellect and dreams light up my life. I think the world of them and hope you do too!

Today it's my pleasure to introduce you to my next Ace and creative director behind Fresh Jess -Byron Gronseth!

Byron and my friendship is another one that blossomed via Twitter. A transplant from all over the place, Byron used Twitter to find a few fun people to talk to in Seattle and we've been friends ever since. We've got a shared love for scathing sarcasm, the color black and all things Harry Potter. Seriously, if we could be in a movie, we call the parts of Sirius Black & Bellatrix LeStrange! He's the only one I trust in helping me carry out the visual design behind the Fresh Jess brand. He's responsible for the background and header you see on FJ today, as well as the 30 Fresh banner. It's always awesome to see your friends hit a good stride, and Byron's been on one for the last couple of years, landing his dream girl and an amazing job at a design agency. Read on for more:

What's on your playlist right now?

• How to Destroy Angels - Welcome Oblivion

• Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Push the Sky Away

• Talib Kweli's Attack the Block mixtape

• Some random shit with violins and yelling.

• I heard there was a "Trent Reznor Aggressively Touching Things In An Antique Store" EP—i'm on that.

Describe your style.

Villainous, usually. Heavy, textured blacks, leather, slates and greys, dull, muted patterns and rugged edges. However, at some point in 2012 I bought some brightly colored v-necks. It sounds cheesy as hell but I guess my fiancée brought color into my life. My dreams of being Sirius Black when I grow up were officially dashed with heavy doses of gingham & orange accessories.

Who inspires you?

I'm extremely critical of my own work and everyday I worry that I'm a fraud. So naturally, my heroes come in two flavors: creative peers (industry folk from all disciplines) & appreciators (family & friends with real jobs.) Sometimes I need hard-hitting peer review and critique to remind me how much better I need to be. Other times, I need someone to be there for me, whether I rise or fall. I need someone to share my process and inspire me, beyond my peers and mentors. to watch the transformation. ...and to remind me what is most important. (Tacos & hugs #RealTalk)

What are you reading?

Great Gatsby, the last few books of the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman, just rolled through Lord of the Rings and now finishing up Stardust also by Gaiman. You could say that my hobbit, sword & whiskey-based inspiration is at an all-time high.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

Duh, marrying my damn soul mate, my voyager, my dancer, my sun chaser, my most enthusiastic cheerleader, my philosopher, my scientist, my queen.

Also, by the way, i'm producing the absolute best work of my life at an agency that challenges me every day to not suck.

Thank you!

30Fresh. 30 days of posts celebrating 30 years - and 5 of Fresh Jess!

30 Is Here!!!

30 is here, and what can I say? I've been looking forward to this since…well, since I got over the fact I couldn't say mid-twenties anymore. I am feeling as confident, (physically/mentally/spiritually) fit, healthy, sexy and successful as ever. Of course, none of this came without a hitch or three million. It's been a journey full of ups, downs, trials, tribulations, small steps leading to big steps and so much more. I am relishing time with myself on this day, but I also wanted to share with you a few of my favorite reflections and lessons learned up to this point.

It's a beautiful beat.

I'm talking about the beat of your own drum. March to it. Stick to it. It resonates just for you, and only you can make it. It's taken a long time to understand that I thrive the most when I stick to my guns. It's tough to do that in an environment like high school or college, or a workplace, or a clique-y group of friends. Trust me, it's okay if people don't get you. Not everyone will. It's worth it to stay true to yourself. As a blogger, my content and style have only been that much stronger and resonated that much more with my readers when I keep it real, not when I write about, wear or do things just because everyone else is doing it.

Quality control

At first, I only thought of this in terms of fashion. I've recently started to wean out the fast fashion and cheap clothes in favor of high-quality pieces that fit my body and style well. It's really depressing to see a girl in her early twenties wearing the same dress you bought at Forever 21 or H&M. I still have a soft spot in my heart for Zara, but I'm making a very real effort to stay away from bringing a lot of fast fashion into my closet.

Quality control also applies in lots of other things in life too. The people you spend time with. The stuff you read. The things you eat. The way you decide to spend your time. Quality is everything. Tell the people who matter most to you that you love them, and tell them often. Stay curious. Take control of what goes in your body and on your schedule.

Fear fuels your fire

I used to get so nervous about everything. Public speaking. Going to the gym. Performance reviews. What my coworkers or fellow students thought of me. Asking. Saying the wrong thing. Over time, and especially when I realized I'd started my own business and was completely responsible for everything, all of those fears became fuel. I always want to be the best, and I can't let anything paralyze me from getting there. Don't let fear paralyze you. Even if you're scared, act as if. I learned that from my internship boss and informal mentor years ago, and it's stuck with me since.

Never stop learning.

I know this should go without saying, but never let your curiosity fade. Read. A lot. Read a lot of different things. Stay open-minded. Greet new people with a warm smile and a good handshake, because you never know if you can help one another somewhere down the road. Chalk up 'bad days' as lessons learned. Challenge yourself to do better every day.

Let's get it, 30. I am just getting started.

30Fresh. 30 days of posts celebrating 30 years - and 5 of Fresh Jess!

30Fresh Aces: TigerBeat

Each week during 30Fresh, I'll introduce you to a couple of incredible people whose soul, energy, humor, talent, intellect and dreams light up my life. I think the world of them and hope you do too!

Say what you will, but I am proud to call this next Ace my friend. Meet TigerBeat!

Josh, better known to you as TigerBeat, is a DJ who absolutely knows how to throw a party. I met him at his HollyHood weekly Friday dance party, and through Twitter, sarcasm and Atlanta hip-hop, became great friends. I admire Josh for his unfiltered honesty and opinion. He's the epitome of "keeping it real." He's a constant reminder to stick to my guns, even when it's not the popular thing to do.

He lives in NYC now and is getting his name out there as a solid DJ, building his production and DJ skills every day. If you're in the Big Apple, make sure you find him and check out one of his sets. Find him on SoundCloud & Twitter to see where he'll be spinning next.

After the interview, peep his latest mixtape, a birthday present to me and all of you!

What's on your playlist right now?

Hella YouTube and World Star videos. A bunch of stuff really. Random music. I have been focusing on production a lot lately so I have been listening to producers, like:

• Willy Joy

• Cobra Krames

• Mike Will

• Salva

• Proper Villains

and music like Donnis & Kendrick Lamar. Diplo's killing as per usual...you know, club shit.

Describe your style.

My style.. as to...DJing or how I dress? I know this is for a fashion blog. How I dress? I'd say I have a pretty basic style. A.P.C. jeans all day, tank tops and hoodies, v-necks, Vans. Gold chain,  gold teeth. Sunglasses. I put a button-up on if I'm feeling ethnic. I also haven't combed or cut my hair in 4 months. I don't know whats going on with that. My DJ style: Heavy rap influence on top of everything else. I love rap chants and 808s.

Who inspires you?

Inspiration. That's a big feeling to have. People that get up and go out and work hard for what they want or believe. Not falling into line because its the easy thing or trendy thing to do. Standing up for who and what you love. But mostly, just cats.

What are you reading?

I am currently immersed in musical theory, production books, the internet and friends all on the subject of music production and turntablism. I don't have time for much else right now with networking full time in anticipation for the summer here in NYC. I'm very excited!

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

NYC!!! Making a network of colleagues and friends. Practicing, learning and honing my craft. the parties where I can play unabashed rap anthems.

A real mixtape from a real DJ for my birthday! Enjoy!

Thank you!

30Fresh. 30 days of posts celebrating 30 years - and 5 of Fresh Jess!

30Fresh Style: Birthday Balloons

I had the vision for my final 30Fresh look before I even knew if it existed. This editorial was all about getting girly & frolicking in front of a Seattle's new home for the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI.) I didn't know if a long walk way was actually there, but it worked out! MOHAI sits on the tip of South Lake Union, which is basically the neighborhood I live in. I brought a couple of props with me to play up the birthday theme and my Prabal Gurung for Target dress. Shouts to Red Balloon Company for their beautiful balloon umbrella bouquet and to Bella Umbrella for one of their beautiful vintage pieces. Gene Juarez brought some serious volume and waves to my hair, and a natural look that played up my cheeks and lips.

If Seattle was warmer more often, I might don beautiful frocks like these all the time. This is a side of me that rarely comes out to play, but I love this silhouette! I'm a big fan of the tea dresses with the fitted bodice and full skirt - vintage and vintage-inspired. This dress was by far my favorite piece in the Prabal for Target lookbook, and I wanted to enhance the beautiful colors as much as possible.

Super special thanks to Sarah Lovrien for working her photographer magic on me for this and my other 30Fresh shoots. Can't wait to work with you again!

Prabal Gurung for Target dress / necklace gifted by my aunt, from a market in the Philippines! Similar here / Report Shoes strappy platform heels (similar)

30Fresh. 30 days of posts celebrating 30 years - and 5 of Fresh Jess!

Spicing Up My Workouts (Sponsored)

Last week I gave you a peek into my fitness life, and how I struggle with incorporating it into my nutty schedule. I am the classic case of "too busy/tired/cold/lazy to work out." Lately, the phrase "If you're too busy/tired/cold/lazy to work out, that's when you need it the most." My body craves it and I know it!

This year, I've made it a top priority to not only work out on a regular basis, but to switch things up and add some spice and variety too. These are just a few of the zesty ways I've been working on physical fitness:

Zumba is my new favorite workout by far. I might be biased, because my best friend Paula teaches and hers are the only classes I go to. I was a little skeptical at first, and she'd spent months suggesting I check out her class sometime. When I did, Paula's music selection, variety of dance styles (salsa, reggae, hula, hip-hop, bachata & merengue just to name a few) and choreography totally won me over. It's basically like a night out dancing with my best friend, except in a gym during the day. I never thought I'd enjoy Zumba as much as I do. Instead of 'checking it out once,' I'm working my way to regular status quickly!

AlixRose, Paula and I after Alix & my first-ever Zumba class!

I'm not really a marathon person (yet? You never know!) so I have to really be down for the cause to participate in one.

The Big Climb last month was one whose cause I absolutely support (The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) and was a terrifying yet exciting physical challenge. Climbing 69 flights of stairs in the name of fighting cancer? I can do it. It is nothing compared to my cousin's fight against cancer. Being my first year, I did the untimed climb but still ended up reaching the summit in about 20 minutes. I was cool for the first, maybe, 15 flights, then all of a sudden my legs turned to bags of bricks and it became a lot harder to breathe with each flight. By the 50th flight, my mind was in a dark place and the only thing keeping me going was my cousin's face and the number of the next flight up. Then just as quickly as I'd started, it was over. It was a wonderful bonding experience with my family and I can't wait to do it again next year.

I hate running.

There I said it. It sucks but it's a necessity, and sometimes what your body craves is some alone time amongst the beauty of Mother Nature. We are incredibly lucky in Seattle to have no shortage of natural beauty, but I like to be near the water when I'm going for a run. Now that it's a little nicer out, I've been lacing my Nike Frees up and taking to a couple of my favorite places - Alki Beach and Greenlake. Just me, my music and some terrific scenery on a little run.

Looking east towards downtown Seattle from Alki Beach. Can you spot the Space Needle?

Serenity at Greenlake

I have a running list of different activities going and am adding your suggestions, comments and tweets to it. If you have a workout you really enjoy, let me know! I'd love to try it.

Kraft Italian Dressing only has one goal in mind... tantalizing your tastebuds. And we're always looking for new ways to help you amp up your zest appeal. Like what you see? Let our Zesty Guy show you even more ways to spread a little zest at getmezesty.com.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Kraft via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Kraft.

30Fresh. 30 days of posts celebrating 30 years - and 5 of Fresh Jess!