Hello from Chelsea Gossett. So, I went to Nashville this past Thursday with my friend and workmate, Terrah. She's a Nashville native so we hit some really cool, local places. We had a meeting with Universal Music Group, checked up on a couple of boutiques and apothecaries that sell Count Me Healthy and then I met up with my best friend, Marisa, who was in town from London visiting her sister at Vanderbilt. I had an amazing time and just in case you want to take a trip to the "LA of the South," here are some cool things to do and see.

STAY
We stayed at Nashville's trendy Hutton--a hotel with lots of eco-sustainability initiatives including "card disabled guest room lighting." I found this so cool. It's a card-holder to the right of the door when you walk into your room. To turn on the lights, stick the card in the holder. Voila! Then, when you are leaving, pull the card out of the slot and the lights shut off within 30 seconds. Sweet. I believe the Europeans have done this for a while, but this is the first time I've seen it in the states. Other eco-friendly touches include bamboo flooring and a recycling program.

Their lobby also rocked, even offering an organic wine mixer everyday from 5-6:30. Plus I saw Jillian Michaels from "The Biggest Loser." I wish I could say Hutton's service was up to par with their green goals. Rooms are so-so and service was sub par. The three friends who stayed in other rooms at the same time had similar scenarios. I'm all for being eco-conscious, but service is still critical in the hospitality biz. (http://www.huttonhotel.com)

EAT
Province Breads & Cafe in Hillsboro Village for breakfast with our friend and internet guru, Greg Hallmark. Amazing coffee along with a sampling of their organic multi-grain crusty bread. Yum. What a way to start the day. (http://www.provencebreads.com)

Viragos. If you want to get your sushi on, this place is for you. Awesome ambiance and a great place to hang with your girls. They actually made me a steamed shrimp roll with just shrimp and seaweed--no rice. That scored huge bonus points from me. (http://www.viragosushi.com)





Tasti-D-Lite. Frozen Yogurt is my all-time favorite treat, especially Tasti-D. Up until last year, I would have had to visit NYC or South Beach to quell my crave, but they recently opened one right in the heart of Nashville. Their yogurt is low-cal (70-90 calories per half cup), but doesn't taste like it. This time round, I had a cup of butter crunch and dutch chocolate swirl. For Memphians reading this, I heard we may get a franchise soon. Cross your fingers! (http://www.tastidlite.com)









Grill 1808. Voted the top new restaurant in Nashville for 2009, Grill 1808 delivers both ambiance, fabulous wine, and beyond good food. It also helped that we dined with really intriguing girls, including one of Miley Cyrus's stylists. The conversation was never dull. Some of the plates we sampled and loved were: Saganaki, Roasted Eggplant Hummus with Goat Cheese crumbles, Mojo Tuna Taco with Ancho sauce (I ordered this as my meal and it was fabulous), Crispy Miso Trout, Mac & Cheese with Maytag Blue Cheese, and 1808's specialty fish dish---Mahi Mahi. Service was top notch. For wine, we had an Argentinian Malbec at an unheard of price---$45 a bottle.

SHOP!!!
H. Audrey
Okay, I put this on my facebook profile page as well because I've never been so taken with a store. Voted the number 1 boutique IN AMERICA by Elle Magazine, H. Audrey is heaven with clothing racks. If you go, look for Rick Owens leather waterfall jackets that fit like gloves, Yigal Azrouel tanks and dresses, and Helmut Lang draping. All brilliant. Not to mention the boutique is owned by Hank Williams granddaughter. (http://www.haudrey.com)



POSH (Hillsboro Village Location)
There are two Posh boutiques in Nashville. Both cool. This location is a little darker, a little edgier. I lean more towards the dark and neutral so this store is right up my alley. With brands like Daftbird, G-Star, and Linq, you are sure to find a punch piece for your wardrobe. Ask for Maisha. She manages and has an amazing style.

Cool places to visit are The Parthenon, Music Row and the Grand Ole Opry. Do you have any Nashville Hotspots you want to share? Do tell. An as always, keep counting.

Labels: chelsea gossett, fashion, nashville, travel

So, I went down to the islands recently for less than 48 hours. I know this sounds crazy, but what's really considered normal these days anyway? So while in St. Martin (or if you're on the Dutch side, St. "Maartin,") I had some time to myself and heard the resort had a beautiful spa. Today I wanted to write, not about the gorgeous spa or how amazing my massage was, but about the masseuse that gave it to me.


Her name was Nicole and she was Swiss. Since a masseuse sees me mostly naked for the next 60 minutes, I like to have a little small talk to get comfortable. I found out she used to massage the Swiss National Gymnastics team for twenty-five years and that she has two children, ages 26 and 24. Ok... how? She looked not a day over 35! Of course I then had to drill her about what she does in her life to stay so young. Mind you there is nothing better than getting health tips from beautiful Europeans on how to age gracefully. Here were her tips:

Drink Red Wine, but NEVER beer and NEVER hard alcohol
She says she knows the liver can't process hard liquor, therefore everything else it has to process has to wait in line for the alcohol. This creates a backup in the body, which leads to weight gain. And she doesn't indulge in red wine everyday.

Exercise every day
Nicole said she lifts light weights because she's over 40 and realizes that around this time women start to experience significant muscle loss. When you lose muscle, you gain fat in the places the muscle once was. She also runs on the beach with her dogs.




Drink White Tea
Everyone says drink green tea, but she prefers white because it's more delicate. It's good for the skin and flushes your system. She never uses sweetener, only lemon, and drinks about six cups a day. As an aside, I told her about Count Me Healthy and she thought that glasses of her white leaf tea would be a great thing to count.

Stretch
Women forget to stretch and this ages them because the muscles become compacted and tight. Stretching also sends oxygen throughout the body, which gives you more energy.

Never Stop Learning
At an age when many women would be retiring, she said she's a year and-a-half away from opening up a massage school in Cannes, France. She's already leased the property and is moving soon.

If you come across someone that looks phenomenal for their age, let them know! Then ask them how they do it. If they feel like your inquiry is genuine than they will be more than happy to share their anti-aging secrets. Have a beautiful week and as always, keep counting.

So I was going through my pics and came across yet another photo where I just happened to look like a linebacker in a dress. Sigh. We've all read or heard about those "look better in photos" tips, such as put your hands on your hips, smile with the tongue touching the roof of your mouth, or say "money." These tricks may work for the pre-Facebook era, but not now.

So I called in an expert--freelance fashion and portrait photographer, Chris Fitzgerald--to blog about how to look better in your Facebook mugs. Here's what he had to say...

Looking Good...
As a photographer, I think Facebook is both wonderful and a bit terrifying. Wonderful--because it's essentially a digital diary of all of my friend's comings and goings. Couldn't make it to the art opening last night? Someone I know has probably posted images within hours of the event. Same with concerts and parties... it's not quite like being in the front row, but I don't feel quite as left out. I also get to keep up with all of my awesome photographer friends who often post their latest work, their outtakes, and their upcoming gigs.

The terrifying part of FB is getting caught by one of these same friends on a night when you did go out. The next day I log in, anxious that someone tagged me in picture where I have food in my beard, a half closed eye, or where I look startled and stiff. Now, I suspect your friends are probably more thoughtful and sensitive and would kindly delete these unflattering images... but some of us are not so lucky. I've had to learn how to be photogenic on the fly.

Don't Slouch
I'm pretty good at spotting the camera ninja... you know this person, the one who has this tiny camera tucked away and takes the picture before you can protest. As soon as I spot this person, I check my posture. I'm a terrible sloucher when I sit (not as bad when standing). But this shows up in pictures and makes me look round and much shorter than my wife, who I won't admit is taller than me. I also pull my shoulders back just the tiniest bit, which makes me look like I have impeccable posture.

Figure Flattery
When I can see the camera, I shift my body a bit so I'm not so straight-on, and I won't look like I'm taking a mug shot. Turning your body a bit to the side and turning your head toward the camera shows off your figure in which often gets flattened by the flash on a camera.



Chin-tastic
Make eye contact with the shooter, and ever so slightly push your chin toward the camera. This lengthens the neck and remedies the dreaded double chin. Or, you can tilt your head just a bit so you look relaxed and not so posed.

Smile!
Lastly, smile. It doesn't have to be an ear-to-ear, ridiculous grin, but just a nice genuine smile. After all, you're out, having fun... let that reflect on your face.

Now... for all you Facebook paparazzi...
If your camera has a "Portrait" mode, you might want to experiment with it. The facial recognition software in cameras is pretty good these days, and this will ensure everyone is in focus. Digital cameras are HORRIBLE about bumping up the red channel in photos and this is frightfully unflattering for skin tones. Sometimes the Portrait mode will help with this. If you can adjust your color settings, turning your overall saturation down just a bit will help.

Beware of florescent light. It casts a greenish tint to skin that makes everyone look awful. Use your on-camera flash to compensate. Usually this will overpower the tube lighting enough to look more natural.

Don't say "cheese." I think we've all been roboticized by this word that we flash this lackluster half-smile so we can get it over with. Whenever I hear "cheese" I'm immediately taken back to grade school class photos and I'm locked into that memory, regardless of how much fun I'm having at the time. I collect bad pickup lines. This is the perfect time to use one.

Don't say cheese










While it's tempting to just upload every picture from your night out to Facebook, do a quick once over to make sure you haven't caught anyone mid-yawn, with red-eye, or with queso dip on their chin. This will ensure you have friends to go out with in the future!

Chris lives with his wife and two enormous dogs in Midtown, and you've probably seen him running down East Parkway. You can view his work at http://www.cultnoir.com.

So, my sister Ashleigh is looking ultra toned and buff lately. Very cut. I learned her new physique is a result of her current (and I think long-term) obsession with "aerial yoga." In essence, it's an art that combines traditional yoga poses in the air using a soft fabric trapeze.

My sis, Ash, flying high














Instead of me trying to explain the details of aerial yoga, I asked Ashleigh to do a little Q&A with Micha Adams, a woman at the forefront of the Aerial acrobat movement and owner of the Detroit Flyhouse--one of the premier aerial yoga studios in the northeast.

ASHLEIGH: Please tell us a little bit about your personal description of The Detroit Flyhouse?
MICHA: It's adult recess!! It was our dream to create a safe space for adults and children alike to take healthy risks in a totally supportive, non-competitive environment. The Flyhouse is about creating community and we've done just that. You leave with tired arms, a big smile on your face and lots of new friends.

Micha instructing during a workshop: Photo courtesy of Spilt Sugar


















Private advanced lesson. Photo courtesy of Spilt Sugar


















ASHLEIGH: How would you describe aerial yoga to the layperson that has never experienced it? Please enlighten us!
MICHA: It's another word for trapeze or tissue... anything done in the air. Many of the poses mirror traditional yoga poses done on the ground. There is a bit of climbing, a LOT of hanging out upside down and lots of laughing.

Cirque workshop: photo courtesy of Spilt Sugar


















ASHLEIGH: How did you fall (um... ascend) into loving aerial yoga?
MICHA: Well, I taught yoga for about five years then decided I wanted to expand my practice and started learning from aerial circus performance instructors.

ASHLEIGH: What do women need to do to get started in Aerial yoga? Do you have to have a certain type of body to perform?
MICHA: It's for everyone. We pride ourselves on making this practice accessible to everyone. Showing up that first time is probably the most difficult part. The practice meets you exactly where your physical ability is at and then you grow "or fly" from there.

ASHLEIGH: Being the creator of The Detroit Flyhouse must be an incredible experience. What are some of the challenges that come with owning your own studio?
MICHA: I have found the Flyhouse to be an incredible and unique vehicle for my own, personal transformation. I have become better at setting healthy boundaries around time and energy. I have so many opportunities to show and share my love with the people who come through our doors. I love the fact that this studio challenges me to constantly find new ways of inspiring students and myself both physically and emotionally.

ASHLEIGH: You are very fit and perform with such ease. What do you do to stay healthy on a daily basis?
MICHA: Ha! I do everything! I do circuit training. I bike, swim and stretch. Of course I train on the aerial apparatus. I also have learned the value of sweet rest.

ASHLEIGH: If you could pinpoint it, what do you feel is the best health advice to give the average person?
MICHA: Keep moving!

If you would like to learn more about aerial yoga (I'm definitely taking a class next time I go back to Michigan), please visit www.detroitflyhouse.com or email micha@detroitflyhouse.com. As always, keep counting.

Labels: aerial yoga, count me healthy jewelry, countessess, fitness, fitness tips, healthy living, Micha Adams

So I was creating my travel calendar for the next four months out and I think I'm home two weekends! I'm not complaining though--traveling is up there on my list of favorite things... right next to online shopping and wine (which don't mix, by the way).

A couple of these upcoming trips require international travel, with connections and being on the plane for 10 hour stints. This is no issue, but you have to plan. Travel is broadening, but it shouldn't be for your waistline.

Here are my tips for maintaining a somewhat healthy lifestyle while traveling:

Bring Your Own Food
I'm not saying you have to lug around a full course meal or a cooler, but you do need to have back up snacks. I never eat the airplane food because I don't know what the mystery sauce is and there is ALWAYS a mystery sauce. It's not the time to be an adventurous foodie. You'll have time to do this when you land. You are stuck in a small space with lots of people for a long time. Sketchy cuisine = bathroom time.



Here is what I bring:
- Plain, instant oatmeal packets (if you have a nice flight attendant, she will zap this for you or at least ration you some hot water and skim milk)
- Tuna or salmon steak in a packet (they don't smell, promise, and you will be opening them when the airplane food smell is wafting in the air anyway)
- Light salt (low sodium salt) or Spike
- Almonds
- Energy bars (I know I preach against these, but I do use while traveling)
- Baggies of dry cereal
- Liquid stevia & splenda packets

I swear this doesn't take up a lot of room in your bag, and at least you know you'll have a fall-back snack.

Create a Comfy Environment
Here are some of the non-food items I bring to ensure a comfortable and awesome flight:

- My ful Gibson backpack
- Laptop with a stocked itunes movie library (I realize you can watch in-flight entertainment, but I prefer my screen)
- iPod
- Skull Candy headphones
- A splitter so my hubby can watch a movie with me if he's traveling too
- Kindle
- Those Colgate disposable toothbrushes
- Bottled water
- Extra thick socks because my feet are always freezing
- Lotion
- Eye drops
- Cuticle Pen
- Chapstick
- Magazines
- Huge Sunglasses (I don't wear eye makeup so I put these on when we land so I don't scare anyone)

Train in a foreign land
Just because you are overseas, it doesn't mean you have to abandon your workout. Sometimes it's hard. The treadmills aren't in English, there's nowhere to run outside, jet lag, they don't believe in air conditioning in the workout facility. There are a thousand excuses. You just have to push yourself and I swear you will feel better after the sweat session. Here are a couple things to bring to help you along:

- iPod
- Exercise bands (they take up no room)
- Workout clothes and sneakers
- A zip-front hoodie
- Workout DVDs to play on your laptop (Tracy Anderson's Mat Workout is awesome)
- My Count Me Healthy bracelet (I count water so I don't get dehydrated)











Believe me, I can pack as compact as a marine. But girlfriend, if you're traveling with me and you need something... I got you covered. What do you bring to stay healthy while flying? A little planning goes a long way. As always, keep counting.

Labels: chelsea gossett, count me healthy jewelry, countessess, fitness tips, healthy living, travel

So, it's officially the weekend and as I'm writing this I'm shoving an apple cinnamon rice cake in my mouth. Problem is, it's my fourth and there are "ecstasy amounts" of carbs in each one. Um... and I've already had two bowls of cereal. BUT IT'S THE WEEKEND!








"BUT IT'S THE WEEKEND" is the lamest and most used excuse for today's women! I say this because I use it almost every weekend--so I'm just taking a stab in the dark that it applies to a large percentage of America's female population. I say "America's" because I just can't see a French woman or Tokyo native using this excuse as often as we do. If you can prove me wrong, please let me know.

Why do we use this excuse time after time? I think it all comes down to 1) a lack of moderation and 2) stress. We read so many articles about "how to lose those last 10 pounds" that deprivation gets the better of us and we cave. At least I do.

So I'm making a vow to try a different angle for next weekend. Instead of saying "BUT IT'S THE WEEKEND" and so having another drink or falling off of the clean-eating wagon, I need to take that "split-second" moment before the backslide happens and say "No." I think the weekends are for rewarding one's self, but not so much that it undoes all of our hard work throughout the week.

As I mention often, a lot of damage can be prevented by having a sense of moderation and stress management. I'm trying to make daily efforts to work on both of these points.

Instead of... "BUT IT'S THE WEEKEND," so... :

-I'll have a snack MARATHON. Let me lace up my tennis!
- I'll chill on the couch all day
- I won't do my ab exercises
- I can abandon my healthy lifestyle
- I'll drink what I want, when I want
- I'll party like it's 1999

Let's try... "BUT IT'S THE WEEKEND" so:

- I'll eat healthy snacks so I'm ready to hit the ground running come Monday
- I'll get in some "active rest" like taking the dog for a walk or cleaning the house
- I'll do my ab exercises because I'm on a constant "Abs like Alba" quest
- I cannot abandon my healthy lifestyle
- I will curb my drinking somewhat
- I'll reach out to the people I can't catch up with during the week due to "strestic mode." ("Strestic" is a made up word combo of "hectic" and "stressed" that shouldn't be used when talking in certain circles, such as the educated).

Come next week I will be brutally honest and blog about how it turned out. Regardless, making a plan is always the first step. Count Me Healthy helps to prevent weekend slips. Look down at it. It's on your wrist for motivation. Count your glasses of wine, snacks, or just move a bead over when you've had a "clean eating" weekend day. It will keep you motivated to move over that next "clean-eating day" bead. As always, keep counting.

Labels: chelsea gossett, count me healthy, count me healthy jewelry, eating healthy, fitness, fitness tips

I recently had an amazing, quick trip to Austin for the South By Southwest (SXSW) music festival. Thousands of music lovers gathering to listen to hundreds of established and up-and-coming artists. I rendezvoused as a guest blogger for ful (www.ful.com) since my "other career" is with ful. Below is a fun little minute on the street trends at SXSW. Enjoy!

So the "Hipster Runoff" worshipers and music makers were in full swing at SXSW this year. As the Creative Director for ful, I went down to be a part of our party with Paste Magazine and Vanguard Records. What a ride. What amazing music!

It was my first year at the festival and I heard from devotees that the event was "going back to its roots," despite the fact that the band count and wild parties surpassed last year. All I can say is that SXSW was a feast not only for the ears, but for the eyes. And so let's discuss "Street Style" at SXSW.

Shades
Some types weren't surprising, like the Wayfarers and the Aviators dotting the crowds. However the new front-runner was Carrera and I need me a pair. I want the sun to shine into my office windows right now so I can justify putting them on at my desk!












Boots abound!
For the women, it was all about the boots--flat, faded, black or rich brown tones. All-out Western style was nowhere to be found, replaced by a pull-on, slightly rounder toe.


The Watson Twins


















Love the woven leather toe



















The Skinny on Denim
The skinnier the better, for gals and guys. Dark wash or black was the staple (dark washes elongate and also don't show when you sit in the mud or some jack spills a Heini on you).

Everything about her ensemble just "worked"



















Sweet Prints
Sweet prints were everywhere, from spring dresses paired with booties or eye-catching, billowy tunics paired with tight William Rasts.




















Bags
Lots of backpacks, cross-body Rocker bags, and messengers. Hands-free bags to hold your swag and clothing are essential at any music fest. I'm partial, but ful was everywhere!

ful "Smoke N' Gun"

Labels: chelsea gossett, count me healthy, street style, sxsw, travel