Top Her Couture

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend will all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19

Xmas by tophercouture on polyvore.com Wishing Everyone a fun & safe holiday season!

"Sanctification is both a step of faith and a process off works.  It is a step of surrender and trust on our part, and it is a process of development on God's part." It is important for each of us to recognize we are worthy of this process.  So many of us [especially during this holiday season] seem to find sadness, depression, and loneliness in its most pure form.  Be sure that no matter what darkness is tugging at you, there is someone sending you light and love.  Be confident that God's love is always there as a guiding light.  You are not alone and are always loved.   And for those that have this light; share it!  Smile at a stranger, say a prayer, donate time or gifts, pay for the person's coffee in front of you. . . .How ever you decide to spread the cheer, do it with your whole heart!

"Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed  by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans  12:2

"If only we could trust God perfectly each day and rise constantly up, higher on the mountains. . . . We'd like to think that's an ideal Christian experience.  But our spiritual landscape does not consist simply of mountains.  Valleys lie between uplands.  And without the valleys, there would be no mountains at all."

"When we reach out in faith  to someone and don't get a positive response, do we recognize that we're speaking to a spiritually deaf soul? . . . Kindness in the face of opposition may begin the work that opens deaf ears and lightens blind eyes.  Let's start to unclog ears and lighten darkness."

"Nothing that happens is beyond the Lord's domain.  Nothing can tough us that the heavenly Father can't deal with, and no event can ruin His plan for good in our lives.  All things, He promises, will work together for our good, if we love Him. ~Romans 8:28

www.capturesque.com The Gym Miss Fits and Mayhem trained, diet, prepared, posed, and got their competition heads on.  This was one of the biggest local shows of the year with over 250 competitors.  The Miss Fits all competed in Bikini: Ashley Dennis, Alyssian Vissat, Ambrosia Williams, LisaPfenning, and Julie Ezcaldo.  The Mayhem all competed in Physique: Cortney Durow, Robert T., and Scott R.  For every one but Ashley and Aly, this was their first time on stage.  Each has over come some sort of frustration, fear, or obstacle to make an appearance. 2012 Class D Winner Ambrosia competed in both Novice and Open Bikini Class C and did it all as a Vegan. . .no chicken or fish for this girl.  Boy did she look amazing!  Trainer: Shaun Spiers  Suit: Top Her Couture  Hair & Make-up:On Point, Tan: Zolarium Lisa competed in both Masters and Novice Bikini.  She might be 50 but looking at her toosh and those great legs; you would n...

"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.  To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie anchor." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes The ultimate goal is to have a relationship with God; to continue on a journey of growth.  To overcome trials and tribulations within His laws.  Let each day be our teacher as we are guided; and fill our lives with Him so as to not stray.

"You never can measure what God will do through you. . . . Keep your relationship right with Him, then whatever circumstances you are in, and whoever you meet day by day, He is pouring rivers of living water through you." ~Oswald Chambers The key is not getting what you want but wanting what you are given.  The first stepping stone to living is having a relationship with Him and soon we will see the ability to develop other relationships and open closed doors.  We are given an abundance from Him each and every day.  Time is short, waste it wisely!

"God sends children. . .to enlarge our hearts, to make us unselfish, and full of kindly sympathies and affections; to give our souls higher aims, to call out all our faculties to extended enterprise and exertion; to bring round our fireside bright faces and happy smiles, and loving, tender hearts."   ~Mary Howitt

The 2012 NPC Nationals in Atlanta this weekend brought some tough competition. Having never placed in any of her earlier national debuts, Crystal Green was all business as she received her IFBB bikini pro card this weekend. Congrats!! You can expect her to take the pro stage in Iowa to finish out the 2012 year.

Appreciation grows deeper through sharing. The most breathtaking landscape in the world is but a shadow of the light we feel when we enjoy it with people we love . Love is deepest form of mindfulness . Little brings us into the moment like giving our complete attention to others and witnessing their experience of the world. Real magic comes from caring about others’ happiness as much as we care about our own. We may not experience fairy tale happy endings, but we can create limitless happy middles by making it a priority to help others see the light . Powerful words to consider: Choose : Every moment is a choice… Love : …to choose either love or fear…  Now : …and that choice is made in the only real time there is…the present moment Broken bits can become whole when we embrace each new moment as another opportunity to return to the most loving choice, over and over again. Mantra will flow through career and into all areas of life, lighting us up as we go.. Love is abso...

Congratulations to Sean Looney, Mayhem member out of New York.  He took first at the N.P.C. New England Championship this past weekend.  He is now qualified for nationals and will be traveling with the team next year as they make their way across the nation to earn their pro cards.  Many thanks go to coach Chris Williamson at The Gym in Denver, CO. Stay tuned for results from The Rocky taking place November 17th, 2012 in Denver, CO.  Miss Fit Ashley & Alyssian are set to re-qualify with new comers Lisa & Ambrosia.  Also Courtney making his debut after losing 110 lbs to compete in men's physique with Mayhem Gary who took 1st in Masters at the Colorado Natural.

"When I learn to pray not only for my immediate interests but enlarge my heart to take in the whole church and the whole world, my supplication will have power with God."  ~ Andrew Murray In a selfish and materialistic world, we tend to pray for things that are not needed-more so wanted.  Most of which are false gratifications, instant happiness, and constant hole fillers.  These tend to leave us yearning and continuing a vicious cycle of self sabotage.  Theses things will not quench your thirst! Have faith that God is the only one who knows what you need and begin a selfless act.  Pray for others.  Do a kind act with no motives of self.  Send light and love to an enemy or one who has hurt you.  The more and more one does something with no motives; the easier it will be to allow happiness, faith, love, etc. into your own life.  No yesterdays are ever wasted on those who give themselves today.

We all have this sort of sixth sense within us when making decisions.  Women tend to be more attuned to it.  In a fast paced society, very few of us take the time to make decisions. . .let me correct myself here.  Very few of us take the time to make the RIGHT decisions.  We have become a knee-jerk society full of impulses deemed as happiness.  It is conditioned happiness!  Just because it makes us happy does not make it right.  Wouldn't it be nice to have a more abundant flow of happiness based on right decisions?  Here are four questions to aide you in making the RIGHT decisions: Is it the truth?  The heart has a way of telling us whether it is true or not.  My priest once told me if I had problems hearing my heart it was best to ask before I went to bed.  Then, when I wake with no outside noise or societal influence; I could hear the answer.  It usually comes to us when our whole self is the quietest.  I tend t...

With the 2012 N.P.C. Rocky only a few weeks away, why not show off all your hard work by booking a photo shoot (or two?)  One of Northern Colorado's most dedicated photographers, Brent Yoder of Capturesque Photography is prepared to get you shots that will make you shine.  He is very professional and used to working with newbies behind the camera.  He offers a creative edge to many different styles including(but not limited to) glamour, swimwear, fitness, lifestyle, and portrait. www.gym303.com 970-219-1530 http://www.capturesque.com http://www.facebook.com/capturesque

1. Beauty cannot be defined. Beauty is a reflection of what we deem valuable. For me, it’s an inner radiance and bliss that transcends judgment and fear, or at least makes an effort to. 2. Perfection cannot be obtained (and it’s boring anyways). Trying to be perfect makes us feel inferior and desperate to change; owning our uniqueness makes us feel worthy and excited to evolve. 3. Love will be messy at times. Sometimes love looks nothing like the ideal. Unless you’re in an unhealthy relationship, lean into the messiness. That’s where the intimacy is. 4. Other people will judge . Doing our best and accepting that people will form opinions is far more empowering than stressing about what everyone else thinks. 5. Sometimes there is no right or wrong . There isn’t always a right decision or answer. It’s just about what feels right to us right now, and whether we have the courage to honor it . 6. No one else knows what’s right for us. Someone else may seem certain they know what we...

"God doesn't want you to suffer unnecessarily.  Instead of leaving you to work out your life in your own way, He wants to guide you.  When you face difficult days. . .you won't stand alone.  Trouble won't blast your life but will strengthen you instead.  Your Creator can turn all trials to blessings if you just stand firm in Him. Enjoy your days in Jesus." Being able to ask the right questions and allow the unknown of God and His work to flow within us can be even more difficult.  We have to get through the walls built, the ego we are born with, and societal influences.  We must learn to be assertive in God. . .that way no matter the situation; we will be prepared to take it on.  There is nothing impossible without God.

"Love is not blind; it simply enables one to see things others fail to see." We are all stacked with opinions, fears, experiences, and wounds that usually have some sort of sway in our decisions.  We tend to be very bias with ourselves and it ends up being us stopping us from what we really want.  We try to rationalize the things we do not understand.  We tend to get selfish in pointing out all the faults of the other people instead of embracing what we love the most about them. A common thing I have seen in relationships is that when something goes wrong or we feel some sort of negativity toward the one we are supposed to care about the most, we quickly find something to fill the space: another relationship, food, drugs, sex, etc.  We are quick to discard the most precious thing in our life usually because we lack the will to try for it.  The more time and energy you put in a thing or person, will be where your heart tends to be.  We have to re...

There is a path we all must take. At one time or another which is where we do not want to trek. It is the unknown and many times seems to be the farthest from our dreams. It may even feel as though a part of us has died when diverted; but this is where faith has to take hold, and we have to let it. A fall chill was beginning in the alpine air as Chris, his father, Samantha, and I made our way into the changing trees at Kenosha Pass. The streets were flooded with cars, bicycles, hikers, photographers, and an array of families. We all had one thing in common that day-to see the trees change. The trailhead already painted with golds, oranges, and dull greens as if the mountain side was on fire. We made our way down winding paths and narrow trails to find dead end after dead end. Third time is a charm as we finally made it through all our markers. A few gates and we were within the fire of the leaves. The overlook holding a majestic calmness that could not be disrupted even by the oth...

The Gym at 2353 S. Broadway is now on YELP*   Be sure to stop by and check it out.  My Gym My Family

Well you should!  Three beautiful and talented women have begun an outreach to all young, professional women in the Denver Metro area- to socialize and network.  Their first event was held at Earl's Bar & kitchen on 16th Street Mall.  It was a great venue to meet some of the the most talented women in the area. Erica Cobb [Denver Personality], Alix Crawfurd of Feline Swimwear, and Amanda Gordon Please visit ericacobb.com for more information on how you can be included in exclusive events and social gatherings. Britney of KLP and Aly of Top Her Couture

Getting prepared for a competition is always hard work no matter who you are. Not to mention we are all doing it for different reasons-get in shape, lose weight, reach a goal, etc. For Angie Dangler and Julie Gasca, it was so much more than just losing weight or being a part of the 9news Bikini Body After Baby Series. These two mothers signed up early this year with a goal set in their head. Angie said, "I had in my mind 25lbs was a good goal. . .". She found herself being content with the number and never thought she would have lost the 40lbs. to get on stage not as an agreed bikini competitor but as a figure competitor at the NPC Warrior classic. 9News with Angie: supported by Miss Fits & Mayhem Julie Gasca found a new vote of confidence in her 60lbs. lighter body as she strutted the catwalk in her custom altered bikini by Top Her Couture . Both of these women were motivated everyday of months of training and dieting by their coach, Chris Williamson, their f...

With The Gym's first pro show underway, the Miss Fits and Mayhem are also focusing on putting the finishing touches on their training as they head into the final week before the 2012 Warrior classic held in Loveland, CO.  This national qualifier has been deamed one of the most fluid, organized, and fun shows of the year.  Taking stage from The Gym is the 9news Bikini Body After Baby Series winners, Julie Gasca and Angie Dangler.  Each of these women has lost over 50lbs to take stage as well as develop a new confidence with their new found bodies provided by Chris Williamson , Mile High Max Muscle , Seeley Photography , and 9News.  Julie will be in Bikini Division and Angie will be in Figure Division. . .you are sure to see a large group of supporters hooting and hollering at this show. Also taking stage in Men's Physique is trainer, Shaun Spiers taking second at the NPC Colorado State a month ago as well as Jonathan Quintana.  This is Jonathan's first show a...

Karl Biermann recently turned IFBB Physique Pro at the 2012 USA Championship in Las Vegas, NV less than a month ago by placing first in Class F.  He is currenly on his way to L.A. with trainer Chris Williamson [along with long time bodybuilder turned physique, Jimmy Nguyen] as he takes his first steps on a pro stage at the Orange County Muscle Classic at Veteran's Memorial Auditorium in Culver City, CA.  He is slated with 12 other competitors including Tyler Larson of Hollywood, CA, Sadik Hadzovic of Westbury, NY, and Matt Christianson of Scottsdale, AZ who took first at the Governor's Cup in March. “Good overall look on stage. Needs to bring his waist in a little bit – he can look a little wide there in some poses.” said USA Championship judges about Karl. The Miss Fits and Mayhem are all eager to see how team mate Karl does at his first stage presentation as a pro.  Good Luck Karl!

What you will need: 10 limes 2 lemons 1 navel orange 2 lbs fresh tilapia- lay individual fillets on wax paper in the freezer until semi-frozen2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp coconut oil 1 tsp fresh ground pepper divided in half 2 tsp kosher salt divided in half 1 small cucumber without skin cubed 2 roma tomatoes seeded and cubed 1 small jalapeno seeded and diced 1 tbsp chipotle smoked tabasco sauce 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro  2 small avocados pitted 8 corn tortillas [I always opt for Gluten Free ones] Ceviche Take semi-frozen tilapia and cut into 1/2" cubes using a sharp knife.  Using a juicer, combine juice from orange, 2 lemons, and 8 limes in a bowl.  Whisk lightly in 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper.  Add the tilapia cubes and place in fridge for no less than 3 hours.  Be sure to mix about every hour and a half.  The longer you marinade, the taster the dish.  I usually do at least 6 hours. Salad Combine juice from 1...