Top Her Couture

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"We may not reach around the world to people.  But that doesn't mean God doesn't value all we do.  Though each believer may only touch a few lives, that impact may go far beyond what can be seen.  In the end, God may show the whole world that the blessed silver-tongued saint who lived down the street was priceless to Him and His work."

"Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good God is.  Blessed are you who run to him.  Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness."   ~Psalm 34:8-9

Like the earth, we Christians rejoice at the idea that Jesus will come.  Though we've already begun to experience God's changes in our souls, one day everything about us will be made new in Him.  Everything will be spanking clean, ready to worship the Creator.  That's something to roar with joy about!

They are now taking 2014 entries for the next transformation. . .congrats to 2013 Eva & Victoria [Team VIVA].

Let's face it, I can't swallow another pill!  How about you? Optimum Nutrition has come out with a sugar free way to get your Aminos.  These tasty wafers offer an amazing amino blend including your BCAAs which can be taken in-between meals, before your workout and/or after your workout.  My favorite is lemonade but they also come in mixed berry.  These are like a little treat and offer a relief from taking another pill.  They taste so good-You won't be disappointed! ON is also offering Amino Energy Chews in three flavors.  If they are anything like the regular chews, then count me in!

"Do a deed of simple kindness; Though its end you may not see, It may reach, like widening ripples, Down a long eternity." Joseph Parker Norris

Let the ways of childish confidence and freedom from care. . .teach you what should be your ways with God.  Leaving yourselves in His hands, learn to be literally "careful for nothing." We should not be fearful of anything.  We should pray about everything and tell the Lord about our desires and what we have need of.  He will take care of us....he is a all sufficient God.

Let us be thankful for every trial that will help to destroy our earthly chariots and that will compel us to take refuge in the chariot of God, which stands ready and waiting beside us in every event and circumstance of life.

With so many pre-workout drinks out there and new ones constantly hitting the market, how do you pick?  One of my favorite supplements is Emerge.  Not only does it come in over 10 different flavors, it has added fiber, mood enhancers, and promotes fat burning & energy.  Did I mention is really does taste good!!! "Emerge contains the patented ingredient Advantra Z®, an extract of a citrus fruit (Citrus  aurantium). Advantra Z® contains a natural and synergistic family of bioactive amines  including synephrine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine, octopanime and tyramine. The naturally  occurring form of synephrine in Advantra Z® is call P-synephrine and is the safe form for  humans. Advantra Z® has been shown to be safe and effective in human ingestion,  stimulating metabolic thermogenesis, increasing the breakdown of fat (lipolysis), increasing  the ratio of lean muscle to total body mass, improving athletic performance and exerting an  appetite suppressing effect. Additiona

1. Admit when you need a break. So often we push ourselves far beyond our mental and physical limits. This is often for a worthy cause, an important goal, or a valued relationship. Unfortunately, when we sacrifice our needs to keep working or giving and “push through,” we frequently sacrifice the quality of what we are doing as well. If I have a week full of deadlines or commitments, I will often award myself a timeout. That might mean taking an evening off and just watching TV, curling up with a book, taking a leisurely walk with the dog, or maybe even taking a much-needed nap. Taking a break can renew your energy and allows you to tackle projects with improved productivity and new perspectives. 2. Commit to yourself. Smartphones and other technologies have made it even easier to over-commit our time and resources. Without even trying, I used to fill my week with coffee dates, book clubs, volunteering, and other appointments. With my life planned out by the hour, time wi

The IFBB North Americans prove to be victorious for Colorado.  Quite a few golden gents & ladies came home this past weekend.  Say, "hello" to our newest physique pros, Chris Williamson and Jason Robinson. Other Colorado competitors who are now qualified for two years [meaning they placed fifth or better], Trisha Montoya-Masters Bikini, Tim Degroot-Men's Physique, Colleen Garman-Masters Bikini, Dewey Whitworth-Master Men's Physique, Amy Updike-Bikini

The maturity of Christian experience cannot be reached in a moment but is the result of the work of God's Holy Spirit who, by His energizing and transforming power, causes us to grow up into Christ in all things . "Be no longer children, but grow in Christ."  Ephesians 4:14-15 If we are to grow in anything we must feed that skill with proper nutrients, spend time and effort to develop, and then apply it to every day activities, thoughts, and actions.  Sure, we may fail a few times or make mistakes-we're human!  It is what we learn from those mistakes and the changes we make in ourselves that allows us to move forward-to grow! Most of the time it requires us to sacrifice our ego and what we think we know and/or want for the unknown.  Take a chance on God and allow yourself to see things through His eyes and His heart.  With that, we can start to become mature through Him and allow Him to be our teacher.  The development of relations with Christ will then spre

A supplement that I cannot live without and you don't have to swallow another pill.                      LIPOREDUX contains a 6-phase precision formulated topical fat loss matrix                                         targeted to spot reduce at the site of application, while avoiding negative side effects                          commonly associated with ingestible fat burners on the market today. Consisting of                              precise amounts of ancillary fat burning ingredients, LIPOREDUX is formulated to                              increase insulin sensitivity in the fat cell while maximizing cAMP & norepinephrine                              release resulting in unparalleled fat depletion wherever the product is applied to.                                 Additionally, Liporedux incorporates a new and novel beta-3-agonist that neutralizes fat                     tissue in subcutaneous tissue, making the dieting and competition process a lot easier to    

1. Acknowledge it. I think about my feelings of anger as being a child who is acting out. That child could be hurt, sad, frustrated. or lonely, but right now anger is the only way it knows how to express those deeper emotions. If not acknowledged, short term frustration could lead to long term resentment, with physical effects like tight muscles, insomnia, headaches, and bloating. If something recent has happened, allow yourself to be angry for a set amount of time (15 minutes is usually enough). Yell, punch a pillow, call a trusted friend and vent, or listen to some music that may help you access that emotion. 2. Understand it. If you let it, anger can be one of your greatest teachers. That pure emotion can be a connection to our soul’s deepest desires, and understanding the anger can be the key to moving past it and creating meaningful change in your life. Get silent for a few minutes, and have a conversation with that anger. It could be as simple as “What are you here to show me

So honored and proud of my friend and team mate, Brian Furer for winning the 2013 MaxFormation Challenge.  Out of thousands of applicants, Brian was chosen and boy does his transformation merit such an amazing change.  I am one of the lucky ones who has known him for almost a decade.  I have seen him at his worst and now at his best.  If you would like to read more please go to his myMaxMuscle page or   Max Muscle .  If you really want to get the scoop, you can see him training frequently at The Gym in Denver, CO with trainer & friend, Chris Williamson.

After finishing third at the 2013 USA Championship in Vegas late July, I realized just how much I am ready to push to get my pro card.   Being a competitor is an expensive hobby and one can spend over $200 a month just on supplements.  To really kick it into gear and maintain the lifestyle, sponsors are continually sought out.   In light of that, I have entered the amazing opportunity brought to you by Muscle Gauge Nutrition and would appreciate your vote every hour.   Please go to MGN . Thank you to all those that support the NPC,  IFBB, c ompetitors, and the lifestyle we sweat for-day in and day out!!

With 10 days left until the two day event in Loveland, CO, The Gym Miss Fits and Mayhem continue to train like champs!  The eight bikini girls and a few men's physique competitors are said to be starting to get nervous and excited.  Two-thirds of this group is new to the stage.  The Gym Family looks forward to seeing them strut their stuff on the catwalk including our two 9 News Bikini Body After Baby Series moms, Eva & Victoria [appropriately dubbed Team Viva!]. Eva & Victoria are furiously sweating off those last few pounds for their big debut.  They began training at The Gym earlier this year with trainer & coach, Chris Williamson.  It has been an amazing journey to watch these ladies grow self confidence and enjoy their new bodies.  Even more admirable is that their husbands were along side them the whole way.  That's right!  These men came to boot camp, training sessions, and posing classes.  Way to go men! Stay tuned for prejudge commentary and results!

1. The stuff you can buy is a distraction that won’t help you reach your goals. It’s like an addiction or a temporary fix. And no matter what you see online, in magazines, or on TV shows that promote home and garden ideas or lifestyles—even simple or minimalist lifestyles—remember, it’s a business trying to sell you products that promise happiness. Don’t fall for it. 2. Stuff creates a false sense of self. With ever increasing push towards bigger, faster, newer; we find ourselves unconsciously fashioning ourselves into things we think we want to be or what others want us to be.  We allow labels and the glamour of it all to define us and somehow become so accustom to them that without them we feel we are nothing.  It's one thing to dabble and find yourself and who you want to be.  It's another to let it take over like some horrible Invasion of the Body Snatchers movie. The path with the least resistance, the path that offered the most immediate reward will not leave time f

The bottom line is that life change begins with a teachable heart.  It requires a heart that willingly receives the Lord’s instruction. It requires a humble heart It requires a willing heart It requires a surrendered heart. It requires discipline and sacrifice. We must be willing to bare our heart and soul and ask God as David did in Psalm 139.

"Now this is the commandment-the statues and the rules-that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's sons, by keeping all his statues and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.  Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey."  Deuteronomy 6:1-3 "Cheap grace means living as though God ignores or condones our sins. But forgiveness means that sin is real, and must be dealt with. We cannot ignore it, because God does not ignore it. The denial of sin is not grace: it is a lie. Cheap grace means living without the demand of obedience upon us.   And where there is no call for obedience, then all thing

"And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen.  And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."  Matthew 21:21-22 Fig tree?  Well in Matthew 21:18-20 it talks about how Jesus curses a fig tree for not bearing fruit and it withers.  This is hardly a literal reference and a major symbolical climax.  Bearing fruit in our lives is a metaphor for faith and not just any kind of fruit; fruit that is loving, joyful, kind, patient, faithful, and houses self control.  One of the ways we eat of this fruit is through prayer. “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart. You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don’t pick grapes from thorn bushes, or

"After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:  “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.  Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called ou

Be sure to vote for yours truly in the final week of the 2013 Flex Magazine Model Search .

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."  Proverbs 1:7 Being new to religion and faith, I find that when you hear "fear the lord" people tend to confuse that with being scared of Him.  This is hardly the case whether you are a believer or not.  Fearing the Lord is about having such reverence for Him that it impacts the way we live our lives.  The fear of God is respecting Him, obeying Him, submitting to His discipline(s), and worshiping Him in awe.  We should live our lives in such a way that it pleases Him. I look back on my life and reflect on all the displeasing ways I have come to where I am.  Sure, I am human and mistakes are inevitable.  It is not about being perfect; it is about letting Him teach you and guide you through being human.  It is about submitting what you think you know or what you want and allowing Him to do His work through you.  The Lord always gives you the means to resist temptations

"Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statues; and I will keep it to the end.  Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.  Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.  Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain!"  Psalm 119: 33-36 With being in many difficult situations in the past 6 years, it has come to my attention that I am not as good of a listener as I may have thought.  For years, I let other people's words hurt my feelings and anger took hold within the deep recesses of my being.  It stole my time-my time away from joy, love, and God.  My knee-jerk reaction to hear someone, make a conclusion, and choose to be offended became a choice I did not want to make anymore.  I had pushed the only thing I loved more than myself toward others and in return set myself up for some major disappointments.  The hardest part was looking in the mirror and realizing just how tightly wound I was-admitting

"A positive transformation is to take place.  We have most of us tried to do it for ourselves and have grievously failed.  The Lord Jesus has come on purpose to do it for all who put themselves wholly into His hands."

The weekend kicked us off with the NPC Colorado State at the Buell Theatre downtown on Saturday July 13th.  Competing in Men's Physique was trainer & coach to The Gym Miss Fits and Mayhem, Chris Williamson, Andrew Armand, and Jesse Lehmen.  Making their way to the bikini stage was Tara Harbert, Erica Cobb, Jen Padgett, and Cortney Romero.  Each of these competitors went along side some of the best bodies in Colorado while overcoming their own obstacles to get there.  Andrew will be making his way to Pittsburgh this coming weekend to compete in Masters' Nationals.  Congrats to all of them and the rest of the competitors.  Placings are as follows: Check-ins Mayhem: Chris Williamson:  2nd Open Class A, 3rd Masters 35-42 Andrew Armand: 1st Open Class A, 2nd Novice Class A, 1st & overall Masters 42+ Jesse Lehmen: 6th Open Class B Miss Fits: Tara Harbert:  9th Open Class C and Novice Class B Erica Cobb: 1st Open Class D Jen Padgett: 4th Open F and Novice D, 3

"The imagination is the spur of delights. . .all depend upon it, it is the mainspring of everything; now, is it not by means of the imagination one knows joy?  Is it not of the imagination that the sharpest pleasures arise?" ~Marquis de Sade

The Official After Party for Prize Fighting Championship 2 and NPC Colorado. Come celebrate all the hard work with special host and new UFC Fighter, Denver's own, Brandon Rukus Thatch as he gets wet & wild for his birthday.  Mingle with some of Denver's most beautiful bodies and talent.  For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.retoxdenver.com .

It's not enough that we cannot stop and ask for directions in such an independent driven society; but when we get the strength to ask, we seldom listen.  I have learned in the last few days [heck, six years] that people may ask for honesty; but when you give them the courtesy & respect of honesty, they seem to not be able to handle it.  Perhaps because it is such a foreign ideal they just can't wrap their head around it.  Perhaps ignorance to them is truly blissful.  Society sure enjoys a reassuring lie than the inconvenient honesty!  Whatever caged approach it may be, I commend those who share honesty.  The ones that can take a stand not just for themselves but for others.  The ones who take risks to call people out on their nonsense.  It shows so much integrity and respect. Along with that comes the art of conversation-breeding a nation of passive aggressive people.  I know, I've been caught up in world wide web.  The idea of being anything we want, saying anyth

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.  Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!  Live the life you imagined." ~Henry David Thoreau

"Grace, when it comes to us, is like a firebrand dropped into the sea, where it would certainly be quenched were it not of such a miraculous quality that it baffles the water - floods, and sets up its reign of fire and light even in the depths." ~Charles Spurgeon

Summer is officially here!  There are five essentials to make sure you are pool ready: Develop Healthy Habits :  We all want to look amazing when we are poolside as well as enjoy a few drinks and some BBQ.  The key is doing it all in moderation while maintaining some sort of active lifestyle.  Finding a trainer to show you the ropes is getting more difficult because there are a ton of gyms with increasing amounts of personal trainers.  Find a trainer that fits your needs and offers many services including nutritional counseling and recovery like The Gym .  The Gym offers many different trainers with well-rounded backgrounds like Cross Fit, dance, sports conditioning, bodybuilding, MMA, weigh loss to name a few.  They provide nutritional guidance and meal plans to keep you on track.  If that sounds like every other gym to you, how about walking five steps into Action Spine & Sports Medicine .  That's right!  Inside The Gym, Dr. Ben offers a wide variety of recovery &

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"And it holds, my anchor holds; blow your wildest then, O gale, On my bark so small and frail, By His grace I shall not fail, For my anchor holds, My anchor holds." ~W.C. Martin There are pros and cons to every decision we make in life as well as consequences [some big, some small, some mistakes, some worth it].  When we make choices, it is important to realize that if the choice is right, the rewards will outweigh the fears [even as we second guess the decision].  We will be able to open a new door and move forward.  We will be able to take a chance and walk in good faith.  Not only will we have God as our anchor, but we will then become someone else's anchor.  A sturdy foundation to build!  Nothing is impossible with God!!