Top Her Couture

The Arrows strike at the most vital places in our hearts, the things we care most about. The deepest questions we ever ask are directly related to our hearts' greatest needs and the answers life gives us shape our images of ourselves, of life, and of God. Who am I? The Romance whispers that we are someone special, that our heart is good because it is made for someone good; the Arrows tell us we are a dime a dozen, worthless, even dark and twisted, dirty. Where is life to be found? The Romance tells us life will flourish when we give it away in love and heroic sacrifice. The Arrows tell us that we must arrange for what little life there may be, manipulating our world and all the while watching our backs. "God is good," the Romance tells us. "You can release the wellbeing of your heart to him." The Arrows strike back, "Don't ever let life out of your control," and they seem to impale with such authority, unlike the gentle urges of the Romance, that

When I went to Brent Yoder of Capturesque Photography  with the idea of shooting at The Gym in Denver , CO months ago, He could not pass up the opportunity.  It was not going to be the typical fitness shoot.  I had contacted a few clients of The Gym who had exotic cars.  Voila!  We had a Yellow Ferrari and Orange Lotus Elise as our accessories.  I have to admit, I was a little nervous about the weather not cooperating as most Coloradoans know the weather can go from 85 degrees to a blizzard in the blink of an eye. I arrived at The Gym with the weather worry put to rest as it was blue skies for miles with an occasional puff of clouds.  Awaiting the arrival of the Ferrari, He set-up the lighting with a mock car.  The contrast of the building, the sky, and the brightly colored cars were amazing contrasting colors. If that was not enough to feed the eager eye, we added custom clothing by Top Her Couture as well as Figure competitor Lana Hofman. Lana Hofman, 2010 NPC Rocky Figure Ov

The mind takes in and processes information. But it remains, for the most part, indifferent. It is your mind that tells you it is now 2:00 A.M. and your daughter has not returned, for the car is not in the driveway. Your heart wrestles with whether or not this is cause for worry. The heart lives in the far more bloody and magnificent realities of living and dying and loving and hating. That's why those who live from their minds are detached from life. Things don't seem to touch them very much; they puzzle at the way others are so affected by life, and they conclude others are emotional and unstable. Meanwhile, those who live from the heart find those who live from the mind . . . unavailable. Yes, they are physically present. So is your computer. This is the sorrow of many marriages, and the number one disappointment of children who feel entirely missed or misunderstood by their parents. Yes, the heart is the source of our emotions. But we have equated the heart with emotion,

So many times the signs we are waiting for to direct us aren’t as subtle as we think.   They just do not come to us like we think they should or imagined.   If we open our ears and eyes through God, we can then truly take the right path. A friend once told me how he wished he would hit a light pole, so that way he would know which damsel he should be with.   His deduction was the one that got their first would be the one he should be with.   Of course after knowing of his life more than this instance it was hard not to be bias in thinking.   It was clear who but why could he not see it. He could not see the metaphoric light posts continually placed in front him.   His car [himself] was going faster than light and his choices gave him a lead foot.   It may take a physical light post to slow him down.   The sad thing is it would only take a few moments of reflection to see she was always the first there.   One light post after another, she stood for him; she supported him without quest

The world today is in the fast lane.   We are worried about how to get things done quicker so we can fit more stuff into our daily routine-more meetings, more than one job, more relationships, more money, and more toys.   We go about it trying to find the easy button in almost every situation, but what may seem like easy really drives us away from simplicity and becomes an oxymoron. Much of the world is in a whirlwind of chaos thinking more money, more toys, more than one woman will make you happier.   While having a few delicacies and indulging once in awhile can have a perk, it is temporary [empty even]; and then we are on to defeat the next big thing.   It is a false sense of comfort and enjoyment that comes from MORE .   Sometimes this MORE leads to more sin such as pretending to like or love someone for self-satisfaction, addictions [like drugs, sex, shopping, etc.], as well as lying and deception.   MORE pushes us to detach ourselves from God and focus on ourselves; a lot of

The Colorado Ice come into the June 27th first play-off game against the Tri-City Fever with full steam.  At one point they were 3 touchdowns ahead, but somewhere after half-time they lost their steam.  Tri-City caught up with just being a touch down behind in the fourth quarter.  With about 5 minutes left they scored leaving the board a tie of 42 to 42.  Ice receive the ball with a shut out.  Four second left the Fever kick a field goal winning the game 45-42.  They will go on to play the Allen Wranglers after July 4th. On a positive note, the 2011 Colorado Icicles finished off their performance season with a bang.  They danced quarter to Britney Spears "Slave".  The crowd was awed by their sexy, seductive number especially when they whipped off their jackets to show a little skin.  Stay tuned to hear of appearances happening throughout the 2011 year. Congratulations Colorado Ice for an amazing season finishing Mountain West Division Champions with an 11-3 record.

The June 4th, 2011 Icicles Dance Camp was a hit.  Over 25 girls of all ages joined the 2011 Colorado Icicles at 8:30am to learn a dance routine and cheer. All the girls seemed rather enthusiastic and were having a blast for such an early weekend event.  They all worked very hard and left with their parents only to return later that night to perform during half-time. A whole mix of emotions entered the field from nervous, to giddy, to excited.  They awed the crowd with a beautiful performance to Katy Perry's Fireworks.  They followed by a cheer: GO-FIGHT-WIN; and unfortunately the cheers were not loud enough as the Ice lost 37-57 to the Wranglers.  This final game left the Colorado Ice at a 11-3 record still being the Division Champions.  This being quite a turn around from the last few years on the field. Congratulations Ice and good luck in the play-offs.

  United Conference Sioux Falls Storm (13-1) Green Bay Blizzard (11-3) Reading Express (8-6) Omaha Beef (9-5) Bloomington Extreme (9-5) Chicago Slaughter (8-6) First Round Match-Ups:   Sioux Falls: Bye, will play lowest remaining seed in 2nd round Green Bay: Bye, will play highest remaining seed in 2nd round #6 Chicago Slaughter at #3 Reading Express: Saturday June 18th [Express wins 76-33] #5 Bloomington Extreme at #4 Omaha Beef: Saturday June 18th [Beef wins 39-34]   Second Round Match-Ups: Sioux Falls play the Omaha Beef 6/25. [Sioux Falls wins 52-39] Green Bay play the Reading Express 6/25.  [Green Bay wins 68-51]     Third Round Match-Ups: Sioux Falls play Green Bay   Intense Conference Colorado Ice (11-3) Fairbanks Grizzlies (10-4) Allen Wranglers (10-4) Tri-Cities Fever (10-4) West Texas Roughnecks (10-4) Wyoming Cavalry (9-5) First Round Match-Ups:   Colorado: Bye, will play lowest remaining seed in 2nd round Fairbanks: Bye, will play highest remaining s

For what shall we do when we wake one day to find we have lost touch with our heart and with it the very refuge where God's presence resides? Starting very early, life has taught all of us to ignore and distrust the deepest yearnings of our heart. Life, for the most part, teaches us to suppress our longing and live only in the external world where efficiency and performance are everything. We have learned from parents and peers, at school, at work, and even from our spiritual mentors that something else is wanted from us other than our heart, which is to say, that which is most deeply us. Very seldom are we ever invited to live out of our heart. If we are wanted, we are often wanted for what we can offer functionally. If rich, we are honored for our wealth; if beautiful, for our looks; if intelligent, for our brains. So we learn to offer only those parts of us that are approved, living out a carefully crafted performance to gain acceptance from those who represent life to us. We

MissFits in Novice A NPC Mile High

A great video of The MissFits getting their trophies. . congrats Jasmin & Cortney!

Jesse Lehman from The Gym Mayhem placed 4th. [2nd from the right]

Unveiling our beauty really just means unveiling our feminine hearts. It's scary, for sure. That is why it is our greatest expression of faith, because we are going to have to trust Jesus-really trust him. We'll have to trust him that we have a beauty, that what he has said of us is true. And we'll have to trust him with how it goes when we offer it, because that is out of our control. We'll have to trust him when it hurts, and we'll have to trust him when we are finally seen and enjoyed. That's why unveiling our beauty is how we live by faith. Unveiling our beauty is our greatest expression of hope. We hope it will matter, that our beauty really does make a difference. We hope there is a greater and higher Beauty, hope we are reflecting that Beauty, and hope it will triumph. Our hope is that all is well because of Jesus, and that all will be well because of him. So we unveil beauty in hope. And finally, we unveil beauty in the hope that Jesus is growing ou

  The Indoor Football League (IFL) will begin their post season starting with games on Saturday the 18th.  The format for the playoffs is as followed:   Number of Teams:  12 Number of Rounds: 4 Qualifiers: 3 Division Winners and the 3 highest Wild Cards per conference Week 1: Quarterfinals -Top 2 seeds in each conference receive a BYE -Teams Ranked 6th will play 3rd seed -Teams Ranked 5th will play 4th seed Week 2: Conference Semi-Finals -1st Seed will host lowest remaining seed -2nd Seed will host highest remaining seed Week 3: Conference Finals -Remaining two teams play at the higher advancing seeds venue -Winners will be crowned Conference Champion Week 4: League Championship -Higher Conference Champion hosts Lower Seeded Conference Champion -Winner will be crowned United Bowl Champion   Congratulations to all teams qualifying for the playoffs and good luck!   The seeding for the first round will be listed as follows:   United Conference Sioux Falls Storm (13-1

As our soul grows in the love of God and journeys forth toward him, our heart's capacities also grow and expand: "Thou shalt enlarge my heart" (Ps. 119:32 KJV). But the sword cuts both ways. While our heart grows in its capacity for pleasure, it grows in its capacity to know pain. The two go hand in hand. What, then, shall we do with disappointment? We can be our own enemy, depending on how we handle the heartache that comes with desire. To want is to suffer; the word passion means to suffer. This is why many Christians are reluctant to listen to their hearts: They know that their dullness is keeping them from feeling the pain of life. Many of us have chosen simply not to want so much; it's safer that way. It's also godless. That's stoicism, not Christianity. Sanctification is an awakening, the rousing of our souls from the dead sleep of sin into the fullness of their capacity for life. Spring awakens a desire for the summer that is not yet. Awakened soul

If you need a little more fulfilling protein and have a total sweet tooth try these: Protein Jello Take one packet of sugar free jello gelatin mix One shot of liquid protein [Try IDS Sport New Whey in various flavors] Follow the Jello directions on the box.  When you get to ADD COLD WATER, instead of adding the full cup(s) of cold water.  Add the protein shot and fill the rest with cold water.  Continue to follow directions and voila! ** Try Raspberry Jello with a Blue Raspberry shot Protein Pudding One packet of pudding One scoop of protein Follow the directions on the box.  If you cannot have dairy, replace with water or rice/almond milk. Add the scoop of protein and mix thoroughly. These 2 desserts work as a snack or after dinner delight.  Indulge a little. . .or a lot!

Hundreds of competitors flock to Chicago, Illinois for the 2011 NPC Junior Nationals Competition [about 30 of those competitors from Colorado].  When first getting the skinny on what was going on, only about 4-6 competitors from Colorado were called out for Top 10.  This is a huge feat as Erica Cobb pointed out "the competition is STIFF".  Erica competed in Bikini Class D with her team mates Jesse Lehman who competed Physique Class A and Lana Hofman who competed Figure Class E.  Though none of them earned their Pro Cards, they will make a comeback at the USAs in July. 10th Place Bikini Class D 7th Place Figure Class E 4th Place Physique Class A Congratulations MissFits & Mayhem on a beautiful performance.  You all worked very hard and know exactly what needs to be done to blow them out of the water in July. **Other Top 10 Colorado competitors included Alex Carneiro, his wife Katherine, and Christina Hefner

The time has come for us to quit playing chess with God over our lives. We cannot win, but we can delay the victory, dragging on the pain of grasping and the poison of possessing. You see, there are two kinds of losses in life. The first is shared by all mankind-the losses that come to us. Call them what you will- accidents, fate, acts of God. The point is that we have no control over them. We do not determine when, where, what, or even how. There is no predicting these losses; they happen to us. We choose only how we respond. The second kind is known only to the pilgrim. They are losses that we choose . A chosen loss is different from repentance, when we give up something that was never ours to have. With a chosen loss, we place on the altar something very dear to us, something innocent, whose only danger is in its goodness, that we might come to love it too much. It is the act of consecration , where little by little or all at once, we give over our lives to the only One who can tru

The whole life of the good Christian," said Augustine, "is a holy longing." Sadly, many of us have been led to feel that somehow we ought to want less, not more. We have this sense that we should atone for our longings, apologize that we feel such deep desire. Shouldn't we be more content? Perhaps, but contentment is never wanting less ; that's the easy way out. Anybody can look holy if she's killed her heart; the real test is to have your heart burning within you and have the patience to enjoy what there is now to enjoy, while waiting with eager anticipation for the feast to come. In Paul's words, we "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly" (Rom. 8:23). Contentment can only happen as we increase desire, let it run itself out toward its fulfillment, and carry us along with it. And so George Herbert prayed, Immortal Heat, O let thy greater flame Attract the lesser to it: let those fires, Which shall consume the world, first make it tame; And kind

It was a busy day for The Gym as it began well before sunrise.  Lana Hofman, Erica Cobb, and Jesse Lehmen head to Chicago, IL with their coach, Chris Williamson, and The Gym support team to compete at NPC Junior Nationals.  Upon sending them off, Erica met me with a gleam in her eye and a huge smile.  "I just want Saturday to get here.  I'm feeling really good."  It was refreshing to see how pumped she was. What most people do not understand is this show is a qualifier for your Pro Card and by two weeks out; your body and mind are usually fighting themselves.  They ache, feel sick, mentally & physcially are drained, and sometimes fight to keep motivated.  It takes a lot for these competitors to compete let alone compete nationally.  I commend these athletes for their time commitment, their motivation even if they have a few doubts, and their willingness to be vulnerable in front of thousands of people.  They are some the strongest, most inspirational people . . . th

The older Christian wedding vows contained these amazing words: "With my body, I thee worship." Maybe our forefathers weren't so prudish after all; maybe they understood sex far better than we do. To give yourself over to another, passionately and nakedly, to adore that person body, soul, and spirit-we know there is something special, even sacramental about sex. It requires trust and abandonment, guided by a wholehearted devotion. What else can this be but worship? After all, God employs explicitly sexual language to describe faithfulness (and unfaithfulness) to him. For us creatures of the flesh, sexual intimacy is the closest parallel we have to real worship. Even the world knows this. Why else would sexual ecstasy become the number one rival to communion with God? The best impostors succeed because they are nearly indistinguishable from what they are trying to imitate. We worship sex because we don't know how to worship God. But we will. We have grown cynical, as

1 lb ground lean chicken/turkey 2 tbsp reduced sugar ketchup 2 tablespoons hot sauce 1 whole wheat tortilla Cook ground meat on medium heat throughly or until light brown.  Drain excess water/fat.  Reduced heat to low.  Add ketchup & hot sauce [I like to use Cholula Chipotle flavor].  Stir until sauce is evenly distributed.  Warm tortilla in microwave for a few seconds or until warm.  Place mixture in tortilla and grub! *You can add a nice spinach side salad with 2 grape cherry tomatoes, 1/4 of a cucumber cubed, and 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegarette. *You can also add a slice of Fat-Free American cheese to your Sloppy Joe Wrap.

A fairly new term used in society today taken from the 2008 comedy-drama film, The Bucket List .  The purpose of this list is ambitions and goals you would like to accomplish before you die.  Top Her Couture started her list last year and would like to share it with you now.  She will continue to mark off and add as things happen in her journey. Get married in Holy Ghost Church/destination wedding/Ranch Have children Take a trip outside the US Get jewelry from the heart Start clothing company Take a trip somewhere new Message in a bottle Take enrichment course in science Go to Mother Cabrini Ballroom Dance Buy & name a star Voice lessons Learn a strangers story Go to the ballet Go camping, fishing, hiking Listen to a latin choir See Tut Exhibit Visit the Planetarium Be 2 places at once Go to the Opera Skydive   4/19/2015 Go to Cirque du Soliel Promise Ring Cook without a recipe Go skinny dipping Meet Topher's dad Random act of kindness Visit the

I am not letting men off the hook. God knows, they have a lot more repenting to do. I am saying that you won't begin to understand the long and sustained assault on femininity, on women, until you see it as part of something much larger. The most wicked force the world has ever known. The Enemy bears a special hatred for Eve. If you believe he has any role in the history of this world, you cannot help but see it. The Evil One had a hand in all that has happened to you. If he didn't arrange for the assault directly-and certainly human sin has a large enough role to play-then he made sure he drove the message of the wounds home into your heart. He is the one who has dogged your heels with shame and self-doubt and accusation. He is the one who offers the false comforters to you in order to deepen your bondage. He is the one who has done these things in order to prevent your restoration. For that is what he fears. He fears who you are; what you are; what you might become. He fea

You awake to find yourself in the midst of a great and terrible war. It is, in fact, our most desperate hour. Your King and dearest Friend calls you forth. Awake, come fully alive, your good heart set free and blazing for him and for those yet to be rescued. You have a glory that is needed. You are given a quest, a mission that will take you deep into the heart of the kingdom of darkness, to break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron so that your people might be set free from their bleak prisons. He asks that you heal them. Of course, you will face many dangers; you will be hunted. Would you try and do this alone? Something stronger than fate has chosen you. Evil will hunt you. And so a fellowship must protect you. Honestly, though he is a very brave and true hobbit, Frodo hasn't a chance without Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. He has no real idea what dangers and trials lie ahead. The dark mines of Moria; the Balrog that awaits him th

We have all grown up knowing of unconditional love.   It is often used with very close and intimate relationships.   Many a times we are told to love unconditionally as God loves us; but what of unconditional respect.   This being a fairly new notion in today’s society, one may say respect has to be earned.   If that is the case, aren’t the scales a little uneven? Ephesians 5:33 says, “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”   God has said we MUST love our women and we MUST respect our men.   God doesn’t say we love our women unconditionally and men must earn their respect nor does he say we must love our men.   While most men want love, they thrive on respect.   Without one, the other is in jeopardy creating a vicious cycle which may be very hard to stop once it evolves. This is a hard lesson to learn for some women.   This is a hard lesson to learn for some men.   Someone has to be mature enough, strong enough,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:   Chris Williamson                                                                   Phone:   303.756.7300 Cell:   720.936.2436 Email:   Chris@gym303.com The MissFits & Mayhem Rock the NPC Bikini and Physique Divisions June 4 th , 2011 at Englewood High School in Englewood , Colorado , The Gym’s Fitness team, MissFits & Mayhem, entered the doors of the NPC Mile High ready to compete in the Bikini and Physique Divisions.   The dedicated training, rigorous diets, and constant support of fellow gym-goers paid off-no one went home empty handed. 5th Place Novice Class B & 7th Place Open Class C 1st Place Novice and Open Class A     4th Place Open Class D and 5th Place Novice Class C 3rd Place Novice Class C and Open Class D 1st Place Open Class B and 2nd Place Novice Class A                     1st Place Physique Class C & Overall         3rd Place Physique Class B The Gym also took home the 2011 Team Award.   This event shows h

"She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 3:15 One of the deepest ways a woman bears the image of God is in her mystery. By mystery we don't mean "forever beyond your knowing," but "something to be explored." "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter," says the book of Proverbs, "to search out a matter is the glory of kings" (25:2). God yearns to be known. But he wants to be sought after by those who would know him. He says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). There is dignity here; God does not throw himself at any passerby. He is no harlot. If you would know him you must love him; you must seek him with your whole heart. This is crucial to any woman's soul, not to mention her sexuality. "You cannot simply have me. You must seek me, pursue me. I won't let you in unless I know you love me." I

We are bringing the Derby to Denver in a delightful outting August 13th, 2011.  Grab your big hats and white gloves as we have tea and finger foods at The House of Commons in the Platte River District.  Price per person is $19.95.  If you don't yet have derby attire, please be sure to stop at Zoe's Resale Boutique [Her link is located in the HOT SPOTS section]. 1 p.m. at The House of Commons 2401 15th Street Denver, CO 80202 (303) 455-4832

Finding time for yourself as a mother can sometimes be difficult.  Who are we kidding, almost impossible!  But for all mother's, there is hope.  Cortney, a proud mother of 2 and full-time RN Nurse, found the time within The Gym .  Her sister had already competed in a NPC Bikini Competition and she thought, "that is not for me."  With a little nudge and some convincing, she decided it would be a neat experience.  "I did it as a confidence thing" , Cortney confessed. Whether you are looking to whip that after baby body in shape, get healthy, or compete; now, is the time to take a step [perhaps more of a leap] in the right direction.  Set Goals. Be Dedicated.  See Results.  Cortney placed 1st in the Bikini Division Class B

This mother of 2 beautiful little girls has her work cut out for her.  Not only is she a full-time mom, she owns and runs 3 businesses: Phoenix Rising Events & Marketing, Just Stylin' Baby, and Sweet Pea Cakes Etc.  In the mix of this organized chaos, Dawn set a goal for herself.  She wanted to be in the best shape of her life before 30.  Her fourteen week training with Chris Williamson at The Gym , Bethany Karlin , and the constant support of her teammates, the Missfits; she is heading in the right direction. She just competed in her first NPC competition in the bikini division.  Taking home multiple trophies in the novice and open class gave her a taste of what is to come.  She will be competing in the Colorado State on July 16th here in Denver, Colorado.  Then, she plans on competing in both Las Vegas, Nevada and Miami, Florida.  This headstrong, determined mother has transformed her goals, her body, her life! Set Goals. Be Dedicated.  See Results. 2011 Brett Seeley