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MOST RECENT POST

The 5 Things I’ve Been Doing Lately (Except Blogging)

I’ve been a bit MIA on the blog.  I’m fine and the family is fine but there’s no doubt that the demands of life lately have taken a back seat to posting here on the blog.  Today on Facebook, the photo below showed up as the memory from 4 years ago today:

Awesome80s

This was taken on the day of my first race after moving to California in July of 2012.  The photo in About Melissa section (see here) was taken right before this race happened.  If you look closely at the photo, I’m wearing a small fuse bead heart (a camp project from a then 5 year old Wild Boy) that became the logo and the inspiration […]

September 1st, 2016|

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  • duran duran yoga new york city

Duran Duran Yoga in NYC

March 16th, 2016|

I went missing again, I know but I promise that it’s been for a very good reason.

I’ve been diligently working on an event that combines two of my most favorite things

and now I’m ready to announce that…

I’ll be coming to […]

  • FTS, mantra, modern mantra

A New Mantra – FTS

March 1st, 2016|

March 1st, the beginning of the 3rd month of my mindful 2016.  March always symbolizes the impending end of the first quarter of the year.  No matter how much I try not to feel pressure at being productive in March, it always puts me […]

  • YG Studios, LAunch, Brett Hoebel, Sydney Benner, Shay Kostabi, Lacey Stone, Marxel Loebel

Finding Your Guru at the YG Studios LAunch

February 19th, 2016|

Los Angeles is a city with lots of fitness options.  Maybe you love a specific instructor, a special class or you’re the type to try the hottest classes with the hottest instructors.  Reserving a class with a well-known fitness instructor or a unique fitness class can sometimes even require a […]

  • Fab February Winner 2016

Announcement – The Winner of the #FabFebruary Giveaway Has Been Chosen

February 16th, 2016|

 Congratulations Ruth Christensen! You are the winner of the #FabFebruary Giveaway!

FabFeb Giveaway Winner Rafflecopter

 

Please email me at melissa (at) thevalentineRD.com to arrange your giveaway prize.  If you do not contact me to claim your prize within 24 hours, […]

A Gift Guide for Duran Duran Fans

February 12th, 2016|

Two years ago I wrote a Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Duran Duran Fans.  DDHQ (that’s Duran Duran Headquarters for those not Duran obsessed) tweeted out that they loved my Gift Guide (squeal!) and since a few of the items are no longer available from that […]

Cheers to 25 Years!

February 5th, 2016|

25 years.  A quarter of a century – that’s how long I’ve been with this special guy.

We have been together through college, long distances, a break-up, growing up, a child, a dog, a cross country move and so much more.

I’m so very grateful to have such a loving, […]

  • Fab February, Fabletics, Giveaway

It’s A Fab February Giveaway

February 2nd, 2016|

I’m not sure what the deal was in January but it seemed like the universe was pretty pissed off. A New Year usually begins with hope, motivation and a sense of positivity but 2016 did not start off that way.

In the hopes that the month that represents love overload (and […]

  • Yoga should be fun

5 Tips For Teaching Your First Yoga Class

January 29th, 2016|

Last night I taught my first 60 minute yoga class.  After just finishing Yoga Teacher Training a little less than 2 months ago and knowing only one sequence fully, I was a little nervous.  However, when the local Athleta store asks you to teach, you get yourself […]

  • New York, LA, New Yorker in Los Angeles

A New Yorker's Thoughts on Living In Los Angeles

January 26th, 2016|

I’m a New Yorker living in Los Angeles.  I’ve lived in LA for over 3.5 years and I still haven’t adjusted. At nearly every opportunity I can be heard saying, “I’m a transplanted New Yorker” or that “I’m still learning the geography of Los Angeles” when I meet someone new. […]