FitSugar

Fashion Week Workout by Oscar Smith

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:30:00 PDT

New York based celebrity trainer Oscar Smith is no stranger to the rigors of
Fashion Week. He trains many models, including Petra Nemcova, at his Tribeca gym O-Diesel.

To get models ready for the runway he works them hard with a strenuous circuit workout, full of intervals and plyometric moves. The workout is so varied, there is absolutely no way you could get bored with it. He shared his workout with us, and I think we should all give it a whirl to celebrate the stylish mayhem that is Fashion Week.

To see the workout just

5 minute cardio	bike, jump rope, treadmill, elliptical	Warm up
Stretch	Leg, arms, chest	Warm up
Push-ups	10 reps
Squat Jumps	15 reps	Plyometric for legs
Leg Lifts	10 reps	Lie on back, with legs at 90 degrees. Lower legs to work abs.
Crunches	10 reps	Ab work
Treadmill run	3 minutes	6.0 mph
Lateral Arm Raises	10 reps	5 pound weights
Overhead shoulder press	10 reps	5 pound weights
Bicep Curls	15 reps	5 - 10 pound weights
Jump rope	3 minutes	Cardio
Donkey Kicks	15 reps each leg	Glutes and hamstrings work
Assisted Pull-up machine	5 reps	Grip wider than shoulders
Sit-ups	15 reps
Elliptical	3 minutes	Cardio
Dancer leaps	15 reps	aka Jumping lunges, both feet must leave the floor
Flutter Kicks	16 reps	Lie on stomach, and kick legs like swimming
Scissors	30 seconds	Lie on back with legs at 45 degrees, open and close legs to work abs
Stationary bike	3 minutes	Cardio
Hip Raise	15 reps	aka Bridge
Push-ups	5 reps
Frog Jump	10 reps	Start in a wide squat with finger tips on floor. Jump and return to start position.
Sit Ups with Hip Raise	15 reps
Stretch	arms, legs, chest
Interval on treadmill	1 minute run	1 minute walk

This workout looks fun and hard. It might prove difficult to hop on and off cardio equipment in a crowded gym, but you could always use a jump rope if an exercise bike isn't free. Try it and let me know what you think.

Source

Sneak Peek: The Oscars Greenroom by Michael S. Smith

Julia Millay Walsh — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:15:00 PST

The Oscars are really closing in on us! Architectural Digest has just announced that it has chosen interior designer Michael S. Smith to create the Architectural Digest Greenroom at the 83rd annual event. The greenroom is the backstage lounge where all the Oscar presenters and honorees will relax and rehearse before their big stage debut at the Kodak Theatre. The choice seems fitting for Thomas, who says, "Having lived in California my whole life, I have always been thrilled by the movies, and the design and architecture that surround them. I am always inspired by film. It is an honor to participate in the most prestigious of all Hollywood events."It's also no surprise that Smith, a good friend of the magazine's new editor in chief, Margaret Russell (formerly of Elle Decor), was chosen to do the honors. "Michael’s signature style made him a natural choice to create the Greenroom on behalf Architectural Digest this year," says Ms. Russell. "And though his design reflects midcentury Hollywood glamour, his interpretation of the space is state of the art."

Until now, Michael's claim to fame has been has his post as the Obamas' White House decorator, but this certainly tops the list, too. In any case, there's no doubt he's gotten comfortable around celebrity. Though The New York Times somewhat slanderously called Smith's design for the Oval Office "too brown, too dowdy, too ho hum," in an article called "The Audacity of Taupe," he is by far one of the most talented and sought-after designers in the States today.

I'm afraid to say Smith's greenroom rendering isn't a far cry from NYT's description, yet it is undeniably sophisticated. The room is designed to be an elegant, 1940s-style library with a warm, reserved color palette with a mix of traditional and Art Deco era Hollywood-style furniture. As for the resources, Smith has chosen pieces from Baker, Cowtan & Tout, Phillip Jeffries, Questroyal Fine Art, and Samsung Electronics. Even if the Oscar gowns of the evening feel uncomfortably confining, the guests are sure to feel at home in Smith's greenroom.

The Big Reveal: The Oscars Greenroom by Michael S. Smith!

Julia Millay Walsh — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:50:00 PST

Last week I gave you a sneak peek of LA-based designer Michael S. Smith's rendering for the Architectural Digest greenroom at the 83rd annual Academy Awards, and now we've finally got a look at the completed room! The concept this year is an elegant, 1940s-style library with a sophisticated color palette and furnishings celebrating Hollywood's golden era.

Here are a few quotes from Michael about his design!

On his inspiration for the room:

I think I was really influenced and kind of inspired by movies of the '30s and '40s which sort of show the background of Hollywood behind the scenes. And I think that's a great place because I think those kinds of movies and that era sort of established what we think of as Hollywood glamour.

On choosing a library setting:

Having worked for a lot of actors and people in the movie business, there's something so kind of comforting and cozy about a library, about a paneled room, and it felt that at the Academy Awards where there's so much bustle and activity going around and kind of so much energy in the air, it felt that a library would be a great retreat to kind of collect your thoughts before you go out and have to be on screen for millions and possibly billions of people.

On the color palette:

We chose colors which were kind of golds and browns and blues, colors that traditionally kind of give you a sense of coziness, of comfort, that are not too warm, not too hot, not too cold, just kind of very comfortable and very kind of relaxed.

Want to see a time-lapse video of the room being decorated? Head to my Twitter page!

Photo by Roger Davies for Architectural Digest

Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:30:00 PST

Check out the Architectural Digest Oscars greenroom designed by Michael S. Smith!
See which up-and-coming, young designers I discovered at the Ambiente design fair.
Here are 10 reasons to preorder Holly Becker's Decorate now!
Cloud-like light fixtures are the hottest new trend.
Abigail Ahern shares her design advice, circus designs, and the value of sludgy colors.

Photo by Roger Davies for Architectural Digest

Kate Middleton's Siblings to Ski in Charity Race

Lauren Turner — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:05:59 PST

Pippa and James Middleton to participate in charity ski race - People
Is Willow Smith's sad tweet alluding to trouble between her parents? - Lainey Gossip
Will Rihanna play Whitney Houston in her biopic? - HuffPost Entertainment
Sounds like Alexander Skarsgard hit on Elizabeth Olsen - D-Listed
Zac Efron pops up in Brazil - JustJared
Steven Tyler weighs in on J Lo's wardrobe malfunction - BuzzFeed
Samantha Ronson recounts her bad relationship with Lindsay Lohan - The Daily Beast
Paula Deen's already dropped two sizes since changing her habits - Zap2it
Christina Aguilera takes the stage on The Voice - TooFab
Miley Cyrus's tank top doesn't cover much - Hollywood Tuna
Find out what Meryl Streep did to honor fellow Oscar nominee Viola Davis - Pink Is the New Blog
Katy Perry's friends are helping her find a new man - The Superficial
Jessica Biel opens up about her engagement. . . to select people - Amy Grindhouse
The most romantic Oscar acceptance speeches - YourTango

Colin Firth Hosts a Green Bash For John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, and Cameron Diaz

Allie Merriam — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:06:28 PST

Colin Firth and his wife Livia teamed up with Anna Zegna, of Ermenegildo Zegna, to host a dinner at LA's Chateau Marmont last night. The evening was organized in support of Oxfam and the Green Carpet Challenge, a cause close to eco-friendly Livia's heart. She frequently blogs and tweets about wearing recycled ensembles on the red carpet, and yesterday's dress was a creation from one of Kate Middleton's favorite lines, Beulah London.

Livia and Colin made the rounds to chat up their fellow Brit Emily Blunt and her husband John Krasinski. The Vanity Fair crew was well represented with editor in chief Graydon Carter and his wife Anna on hand, in addition to West Coast editor Krista Smith and publisher Edward Menicheschi. Other celebs made the rounds as well, including Cameron Diaz, Kristin Davis, Mia Wasikowska, and Emile Hirsch. Gary Oldman, who's up for a best supporting actor Oscar for his work opposite Colin in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, dropped in to say hello. He and Colin will reunite Sunday at the Academy Awards ceremony - make sure to fill out a Oscars ballot with your winner predictions and enter to win an iPad.

Cameron Diaz and Charlize Theron Raise a Glass For Pharrell Williams

Allie Merriam — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:01:44 PST

Cameron Diaz and Charlize Theron were among the stars who headed to the Chateau Marmont in LA on Tuesday night. The ladies attended a party thrown by Target and Bevy Smith to honor Pharrell Williams, who proudly took a seat next to Charlize at the dinner table. The celebs gathered at the Chateau's Bungalow One to raise a glass in honor of Pharrell scoring the music for this year's Oscars with renowned composer Hans Zimmer. Have you filled out your 2012 Oscar ballot yet with your winner predictions? Entering by Sunday places you in the running to win an iPad, complete with a Prada case!

Cameron and Charlize made the rounds chatting with Usher, Johnny Knoxville, Jared Leto, and photographer Terry Richardson. Chelsea Handler even made a cameo with her possibly on-again boyfriend Andre Balazs, who happens to own the Chateau Marmont. Ellen Pompeo and her husband Chris Ivery also mingled with Pharrell and friends, as did MOCA director Jeffrey Deitch.

Shopping For: Brian Grazer's Brass Task Lamp

Elka Karl — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:30:32 PST

In the March issue of Architectural Digest, Hollywood producer Brian Grazer takes the magazine inside his tastefully appointed office for a tour. Grazer, who has been nominated for 43 Oscars and is the driving organizing force behind this year's Oscars, is known for his smart decision-making skills and obviously put that skill set to work when he hired famed decorator Michael S. Smith to decorate his office (Smith also decorated two of Grazer's homes).

Smith divided the office up into a work zone, shown here, which is dominated by a Scandinavian modern desk and bookshelf. The other part of the office features comfortable seating options and a cocktail table, perfect for entertaining and relaxing.

My eyes were immediately drawn to the cool vintage-looking brass task lamp on Grazer's desk. This lamp looks like it's the Christian Dell Table Lamp ($1,650). Designed in the 1930s, this lamp was part of the original Kaiser-Idell range. Dell was a German silversmith, an industrial designer, and an influential teacher at the Bauhaus from 1922-1933. This lamp seems like a great fit for Grazer's aesthetic and work ethic, given its simple, intelligent, and lovely design.

I've rounded up a number of choices that will satisfy your trendy brass task lamp needs - one for as little as $25. Take a look at my picks below.

Photos courtesy of Architectural Digest

Robert Pattinson's Big Real Estate Deal

Allie Merriam — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:21:08 PST

Robert Pattinson is the owner of a new mansion - Wonderwall
Bethenny Frankel reveals she had a miscarriage - People
Cindy Crawford explains not wanting her daughter to model - Lainey Gossip
The many stars who've paid tribute to Whitney Houston - HuffPost Entertainment
Did Rihanna have the best look at London Fashion Week? - TooFab
Will you watch Lindsay Lohan on SNL? - Us Weekly
How can the Oscars be improved? - The Daily Beast
See hot behind-the-scenes video with Gavin Rossdale and Bush - The Insider
A John Carter sequel is already happening for Taylor Kitsch - Rotten Tomatoes
Details on Robin Thicke's drug arrest - Lifeline Live
Mark Zuckerberg supports Harvard and Jeremy Lin - BuzzFeed
A remix of Maggie Smith's best lines from Downton Abbey - Zap2It
Kate Moss suffered from arm paralysis due to nerve disorder - Celebitchy

Legendary Makeup Artist Dick Smith Receives a Much-Deserved Oscar

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:01:45 PDT

On the left is David Bowie, and on the right is . . . also David Bowie, just a few hours in legendary makeup artist Dick Smith's chair later. Smith is a pioneer in special effects makeup, and he's responsible for everything from Marlon Brando's amazing age makeup in The Godfather to Linda Blair's terrifying little possessed girl in The Exorcist. Now, he's receiving an honorary Oscar, which his long and storied career in film certainly merits. We're taking a look back at some of his most iconic special effects makeup jobs - how many famous films with Smith's work in them have you seen?