Healthy happy you.
The calves are one of the most neglected muscles in the lower body, but in the Summer they also happen to be one of the most visible muscles of the leg — think capris, shorts, dresses, skirts, etc. People love to work their quads, hamstrings, hip flexors, and glutes but when it comes to working our calves, most of us fall short. This exercise on the ball really targets the muscles of the calves Read more
Tight calves can be an unwanted side effect of such opposite activities as running or wearing high heels. Many people neglect stretching their calves! Since you have two layers of calf muscles, you need to do two stretches to ensure you are reaching both. So try these stretches after your next run or after a night of dancing in your Jimmy Choos. Gastrocnemius Stretch Place your hands on a Read more
Ever been awakened by an excruciating cramp in your calf? Your foot? Both at the same time? If you have experienced one of these nocturnal muscle cramps poetically known as a Charlie Horse you will know exactly what I am talking about. While no one has yet to pin point a single cause for these cramps there are many theories as to why they happen, what actions (or inactions) contribute to Read more
Chances are, if you are a runner, you've experienced the pain of shin splints. It basically refers to the condition called Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS). When you overwork the muscles in the shin, the muscles exert a great amount of force on the shin bones (tibia and fibula) to keep your foot, ankle, and lower leg stable. This excessive force can partially tear the tendons away from Read more
With all of the creativity — the diverse ingenuity of designers at Fashion Week — there is at least one common denominator among the collections. For Fall 2011, designers across the board are embracing a definitively longer hemline in the form of calf-length dresses and skirts. We've seen printed versions at ADAM, pencil silhouettes at Michael Kors, and the same, longer hemline on leather at Read more
The trunk of an elephant may be one of the most precisely prehensile features in the animal kingdom, but try telling that to this days-old Asian elephant calf born at Tierpark Hellabrunn Zoo in Berlin! He's just beginning to figure out what to do with such a long nose, and his wobbly legs just barely hold up his 225-pound body! But we're sure he will be making mischief in no time. Read more
For many brides, the perfect wedding-day outfit includes a jaw-dropping white gown and a princess-worthy pair of heels. But if you're donning a pair of pumps for your big day, make sure you read these tips to keep your feet happy and healthy. Stretches and exercises are important: Wearing heels too often can lead to different ailments, like bad posture, bunions, and tendinitis (not to mention Read more
This season, we're refreshing our Winter wardrobe with pony and calf hair accessories. Not only do they add a decadent touch to any ensemble, we love the cozy textural feel. When styling, we suggest you pair them with neutral accompaniments; we love the idea of styling calf or pony hair footwear with leather leggings or chic trousers. Handbags or clutches would look amazing against a solid Read more
For Fall 2012, Ann Taylor's head designer Lisa Axelson crossed the pond and took to the banks of the Seine, to the cozy-chic cafés of Montmartre, and to the gardens of the Tuileries. The result? An autumnal collection not only reminiscent of her travels, but also totally inspired by la femme jolie. Apart from the brand's signature animal-print wares (this time, in a digital dalmatian iteration), Read more
The calf muscles get worked from just about every activity, from wearing killer heels to running. It pays to know multiple ways to lengthen tight calves and here are five of my favorite stretches. Source Read more
