I have been an instructor at The Barre Code for three years now, and I was also the Studio Manager/Master Trainer for two of those years. In September 2018, I became the Studio Owner as a next step to keep The Barre Code community thriving in Louisville. It is truly a dream come true to be the studio owner. I couldn’t imagine my life without The Barre Code, and I know our members feel the same. The members and staff inspire me every day! They are what make The Barre Code what it is today.

I asked her what advice she would give to new moms who may find group fitness intimidating? (I've been there!)

At The Barre Code, our mission is to empower women and encourage them to find their best self. Our workouts will help you find YOUR strong, and you will have the support you need to get there. Now that I am a Mom, “Me” time is more important than ever. Motherhood is amazing, but also so challenging. Moms are always multi-tasking, and doing so much for others. Making time for yourself will make you a better person for others in the end.

I also asked if there was anything she thought new moms should know before joining The Barre Code?

Be patient with yourself and listen to your body during class just as you did throughout your pregnancy. Instructors give modifications and advancements so that you can tailor the workout to fit your needs. Week by week you will notice a difference in your strength, but patience and consistency is key.

I was so excited to hear more about her new kids' room:

Kids room is a child watch service. We take care of your kids while you get your 50-minute workout in. We keep a 5:1 child-staff ratio, and it is available M/W/F and Sat mornings. We hope to add more days and times as demand increases. You can reserve your spot on Mindbody just as you do a regular class. Cost is $5 for a drop in or $40 for a 10-Pack.

 Over the past few years, I have seen a number of our members have to cancel their memberships after having kids. I want The Barre Code to be a part of a Mom’s journey pre and postnatal. Having this option, we can hopefully keep them part of our community in the future, and bring more Moms into our environment.

Last year I was invited to a fun event for the National MS Society. A night full of fun, drinks, food, and guys strutting their stuff for a charitable cause!





Summer is right around the corner, and they are preparing for their next event. The Kentucky/Southeast Indiana Chapter of the National MS Society is searching for Louisville's Most Eligible Bachelor! The top 10 Nominees are invited to strut their stuff on the runway for Mister's for MS. The second annual event will be held July 26 at The Gramercy.






National MS week is March 12, and this is when the official contest launches!

The nomination process: After a gentleman is nominated, they are asked to fund-raise for the MS Society. Those who raise most money will be named the 10 Most Eligible Bachelors and will be invited to walk the runway at Misters for MS.

Interested in nominating a bachelor? Send his name, email, and phone to Misters for MS Chairperson Jessica Tretter- jessica.tretter@LPL.com or 502-387-7123.

So, the Bachelors themselves are *not* auctioned off. They will be presenting the 10 live auction items.

For example, "Here's Bachelor #3, Bob. You'll see that Bob is holding a beautiful necklace from XX jewelers." The necklace is up for bid (NOT bob!). However, Bob is invited to strut his stuff, have fun, and collect as many names and numbers as he wants! (Fun!)

If you know someone special, I encourage you to to nominate a bachelor, and help this amazing cause!

What are your favorite Charity events?

A true southern affair including a celebrity chef and leading winemakers & winery owners from the west coast will be the new “must-attend” event of the Kentucky Derby Season. Set for May 1 & 2, the inaugural A Toast to Oxmoor Estate will raise funds for the restoration and preservation of this national historic property (pictured). With an emphasis on hospitality, fine food and spectacular wine, this signature event for Oxmoor Estate will host an intimate number of 300 guests.

Why this is timely – A limited stock of 40 pairs of tickets (15 pairs of VIP tickets and 25 General Admission pairs) to the May 1^st A Toast of Oxmoor Estate will be released at special rates for holiday gifting. The reduced rates will only be available for the tickets purchased and picked up in December.

          VIP tickets offered at $500 ($600 value) for a pair. Only 15 pairs will be sold at the special holiday rate.

         General Admission tickets offered at $250 ($300 value). Only 25 pairs will be sold at the special rate.  

How to purchase – To purchase and reserve tickets for pick-up, please e-mail Shirley Harmon, estate director: toastoxmoor@gmail.com or call 502.640.4138.

Ticket pick-up arrangements – The holiday-boxed offering will be available for pick up at the beautiful Oxmoor Estate Saturday, December 9 and Tuesday, December 12 from noon -2 p.m. Patrons will be welcomed and offered sparkling wine, hot chocolate and sweet treats.

Adding to the holiday shopping experience, A Toast of Oxmoor Estate Committee Chair Michelle Mandro’s recently released lifestyle book (pictured), Wine Country Women of Napa Valley will be available on-site during the pick-up events. Mandro adds, “It’s the perfect holiday gift for any wine enthusiast, foodie or female professional on your gift list! To further support the Friends of Oxmoor Fund, $10 from each book sold will be donated.” Mandro will be present to autograph or personalize any copies, which will be available for $55

About A Toast to Oxmoor Estate – Mandro is combining her passion as an epicurean and her pride and love of all things southern to create this event which doesn’t currently exist in Louisville.  Together with her committee she hopes to help preserve and restore the beautiful Oxmoor Estate, “It’s plantations like these which help make the south such a special place.”

          A Toast to Oxmoor Estate, Tuesday, May 1, 5-9 p.m. This signature event of no more than 300 guests will feature a celebrity chef and a hand-selected group of west coast winery owners and winemakers. A VIP ticket offering available to 100 patrons will offer the chance to attend a private reception with the featured chef and winery participants. Mandro explains, “These guests will be the first to enjoy the main event and will be provided an exclusive opportunity to purchase the wines being featured during the night. They will also have a chance to linger in the private library lounge and enjoy specialty cocktails before departing with their premium swag bags.” Noted local designer Ron Wolz will design the look of A Toast to Oxmoor Estate.

          Garden Luncheon at Oxmoor Estate, Wednesday, May 2, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. This intimate luncheon for 75 guests will feature a menu of southern dishes and fresh ingredients from the gardens on the Estate. A local chef will prepare the multi-course fare and each table will be hosted by a west-coast winery owner or winemaker who will share their wines with the table. Local designer Marvin Dyer III from Dwellings will be the Garden Luncheon designer.

About Oxmoor Estate & Gardens - Oxmoor Estate was home to the Bullitt family from 1787 through 2005. The home, gardens and 16 outbuildings are unique and worthy of preservation. The goal of this event is to showcase the home and gardens while raising funds for restoration and preservation of this property, which is on the national register of historic places.

This sounds like a fun gift to give (and receive). Events for derby sell out quickly!

"Zen SKYN® Color Collection Tinted Primer SPF 20 is a light primer that evens tone and warms your complexion with a subtle radiance while minimizing the appearance of pores and protecting your skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Ideal for daily use and post-clinical care skin treatment."

"Zen SKYN®  Mineral Blush/Contour Duo is the perfect duo for a luxurious, satin finish contour. Highlight your cheekbones with a beautiful rose-toned blush, and finish with the contouring power of the bronze power along the jaw line, nose, forehead, and cheeks."

"ZenSKYN® Luxury Gloss uses a unique blend of oils to help condition and hydrate the lips to prevent lines and wrinkles from appearing.  This lightweight formula provides shine and long lasting hydration while also remaining hypoallergenic and paraben-free.  Our revolutionary gloss incorporates aloe, silica, Argan oil, Castor Seed oil, and Soybean oil for ultimate health and hydration."

I loved all of the products they used! I am a huge supporter of buying local, and I think these would make great gifts for the holidays. Right now they currently have a summer promotion of 50% off select products, using code SUMMER50 (per their site).

For more information about ZenSkyn Products, check out their website!

www.ZenSkyn.com

   

I love Ethnic food. I love Mexican Food, I love Asian Food, I love Indian Food... I have yet to meet a cuisine I didn't like.

Whenever I visit home (Chicago), the ONE place I always visit is China Town. I wrote a little bit about it here from my last visit. The shopping, the FOOD, the culture, I miss Chicago so incredibly much. Aside from missing my family, the hardest part of leaving Chicago was my beloved food (I know... re-reading that sounds ridiculous, but its the truth!)





I really wish there were places like China Town available in Louisville, so when I heard that Louisville was going to have its own night market, I was ecstatic to say the least. Night markets are very popular in Asia (I've seen lots of them featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern), and I've also heard that they are quite popular in China Town California (bucket list!). I've visited day markets in Mexico when I was a teen, but to experience a night market was completely new to me.

I wish there were more outdoor Ethnic Markets/Bazarrs (aside from the occasional special event in Louisville), but I suppose maybe more will start blossoming in the future as our city grows. (Have you guys been to the World Fest? Its amazing how much its grown since we first moved here!)

When I decided to purchase tickets to the Night Market, unfortunately the tickets were sold out. I contacted the Crane House, they were so kind, and quickly notified me as soon as they placed more tickets for sale online. (That's a huge plus about living in Louisville, most places you call go above and beyond to help you find info. If I asked a Chicago venue for sold out tickets/extra info, I probably would have heard a dial tone...)





Now, being completely honest, although I've read and have seen a lot about Ramen, I've never tried it fresh, or authentic. I've made different versions of dried instant Ramen from several Asian Marts in Louisville, (I've also prepared the noodles with raw egg, furikaki, and other authentic ingredients) but I've never had the opportunity to try it out.


Since I do not know how authentic fresh Ramen is supposed to taste, I can't vouch for its authenticity. But as far as taste goes? It was amazing! The noodles were *nothing* like the dried versions I've had, and the fresh ingredients offered several different textures and flavors that harmonized so incredibly well. It had an umami taste from the broth, and the fresh veggies and pickled daikon paired beautifully well. I was craving it so much, the next day I went out to try to find the noodles. Turns out most recipes are highly guarded, its very hard to find true recipes online to make at home.




Unfortunately, there wasn't much seating available, so we were stuck eating on a cement wall before chairs opened up for us. When we finally sat down, I *ran* over to the Boba Tea line that was almost completely sold out. I was served the last cup of Boba, and it was so watered down. I have no idea how it may have tasted when it was fresh, but this tasted like watered down milk tea. I think since it was their first event, they really had to guesstimate how much food and drink to have on hand, which I completely understand. I hope they bring back the event, and hopefully the vendors have an idea on how much stock to have on hand. (I'm not sure how long the All You Can Eat food lasted, Next year I will be first in line lol!)