Recipe(s) for Success: Workout & Lingerie

By Katie

 Image Thanks to Pinterest

You've just worked out. Hard. And now you're ravenous. Sound familiar? Yes, it's extremely important to refuel after a sweat (or romp) sesh, but you don't want to undo what you just did.

Remember, abs are made in the kitchen; here are 3 protein-packed recipes that are easy to make, healthy, and under 300 calories:

Image Thanks to Pinterest

1. DIY Trail Mix: 1/4 nuts, 1/4 dried fruit, 1/4 cup seeds, 1-2 tablespoons flaked coconut, 1-2 tablespoons chocolate chips. Mix together and portion 1/4 cup into baggies to store in your gym bag.

Image Thanks to Pinterest

2. PBB&T: 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter, 1 banana, 1 whole wheat toast. Spread the PB on the toast, slice the banana in half and place it in the bread, fold the bread up and eat-up!

Image Thanks to Pinterest

3. Smoothie: 1/2 cup cherries (fresh or frozen (they help with soreness too!)), 1/2-1 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt, 1 banana, 1 tablespoon nuts, water or milk to smooth it out. Blend all ingredients in a blender either the night before or the day of, garnish with more nuts and/or fruit.

All of these combo's have just what you need after a sweat-sesh, regardless of your activity of choice ;). Eat within 30-60 minutes after a workout to reap the benefits of these snacks and have energy for the rest of the day/night!

Exclusive Designer Interviews: Voda Swim

By Eve

One year ago, Eve's Apples Boutique introduced this incredible swimwear lingerie, focused on boosting your cleavage. At the time, I was fortunate to interview the lovely Yulia Drummond, Owner & Designer of Voda Swim. 

Lingeristas had been asking me for years about swimwear and the best bathing suit top for petite and small busts who want a little something extra on top. Well, look no further. If you're interested in adding natural looking cleavage to your bustline, you'll want to check out Eve's Apples Online Boutique and read the inspiring interview, below, with swimwear designer Yulia Drummund of Voda Swim.

Voda Swim, a quality product that adds 1 - 2 cup sizes for a fuller look. Owned and operated by Yulia and Dustin Drummond, not only is Voda Envy Push Up swimwear exciting, but also the company that is inspirational in its creations along with helping others feel good in their swimsuits!

To find out more about Voda and the genius behind it, read my interview with Yulia below.

INTERVIEW WITH YULIA:
Eve: What was your inspiration to become a designer?

Yulia: For the longest time I couldn't find a bikini that would make me feel sexy and look flattering on my body. That inspired me to design a push up bikini that I would feel very sexy and confident in. The best part I love is that even though it is a push up bikini it looks like a regular triangle bikini top so nobody knows your secret! It doesn't have any uncomfortable wires that dig into the skin and barely retains any water, which still creates an amazing push up effect even after a swim.
Eve: Who or what is your greatest design influence?

Yulia: I would have to say is that it is our customers. We listen to our customer's feedback all the time and that helps me improve or create new products that I know women will love.
Eve: If your designs made one statement what would they be?

Yulia: "Look at me. I am hot, I am sexy, and I turn heads!" Everyone should be able to feel this way!
Eve: What was your biggest obstacle in starting your business?

Yulia: Trust me, there were plenty. But the biggest obstacle was always ourselves. First, it took us a full year to design and redesign and redesign again the Envy Push Up® top to make it perfect. We had to research different materials and test them to find the perfect balance between low water absorbency and softness. Not to mention the shape and design which I must have re-molded 100 times or more. And for the business side of things, it simply comes down to knowledge or I should say "lack of it" at start-up. When we first started this business we had no idea how to register a company, write a patent, submit trade marks, design a website, and much much more.

Eve: What is your greatest reward/joy in designing or your business?
Yulia: Knowing that I help women out there and have enough courage to rock the bikini again. We get countless testimonials from women who used to hate going to the beach...that was until they tried on a Voda Swim bikini of course! I remember one particular testimonial that really touched my heart from a woman that would only wear a tank top or t-shirt to the beach. She was so happy and said how Voda Swim had literally changed her life!
Eve: Who is your favorite designer?
Yulia: Zac Posen. His designs are always fresh and very inspirational. He seems to have mastered the art of blending practicality with creativity. Plus, I met him once and he seems like a very nice person.
Eve: What is your favorite quote that you live by?

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." — William Shakespeare I change it a little and say this to myself everyday "I am the creator of my own future and destiny". I strongly believe in setting definite goals and paving your own road to the future.
Eve: What is your favorite piece that you designed? Why?

Yulia: Ruched lace bikini top from Voda Swim's current 2011 collection. During the night I had an inspiration or a dream about that bikini. When I woke up (at 4:30am! on Saturday!) I started sewing the sample immediately and about 4 hours later I had a finished bikini top. It rarely happens that easy but it was perfect on my first attempt! Talk about inspiration!
Eve: What is the most important piece of advice when trying on/wearing lingerie/bras/swimwear?
Yulia: Get the correct bra size measurement. I see so many women being measured wrong and then they buy bras and bikini tops that are not their true size. I just think with the correct bra size measurement we can find the best fitting bra or a bikini.
Eve: What is the one piece of lingerie/swimwear that you can’t live without?
Yulia: My favorite Voda Swim bikini of course, particularly the Lipstick Hoop String Bikini with the Brazilian bottom. The color is so great and vibrant and everybody gives me compliments when I wear it...especially my husband! :)

Runway Report - Trends in Swimwear: What's Hot and What's Not

By Heather Green

Gone is the barely there monokini and bathing suits that leave little to the imagination! We've all seen the suits on television and in magazines that make us want to run and hide in a t-shirt and shorts. But swimsuits have become more of a less terrifying trend this year especially for women with trouble areas. Whether it's small busts or the tummy that won't shrink, this seasons fads are fabulous for one and all!

The modern interpretation of the 50's inspired swimsuit to the stars is red hot and screams Hollywood. Think Marilyn Monroe or Betty Grable – high-waisted bottoms and halter tops. A great suit for most body types, especially if you are lacking curves. 

Cosmopolitan Fashion: Swimwear - Fashion Week 2012

  Getty Images

Color blocking is another must-have stye of suit this season. Swimsuits in purples, blues and yellow hues are taking over the runways and beaches around the world. The new trend of unmatched colored tops and bottoms are eye catching and offer a larger variety of styles to choose from.

Sonia Vera Swimwear Show during Merecedes Benz Fashion Week, 2012 

photography by: Frazer Harrison

The Bandeau bathing suit is at the top of the most popular list. A flashback from the seventies, the bandeau is the new string bikini and is set to stick around for a long time! For those blessed with a little less up top, the bandeau tends to enhance the chest without padding or bulky liners.

 

Cosmopolitan Fashion: Swimwear - Fashion Week 2012

Getty Images 

Last, but not least, the one piece (believe it or not!) is one of the "it" suits for summer. Modest, yet modern, the one piece is rockin' metallics and vibrant colors. Great news for ALL body types! Rouching (or gathered fabric) in “trouble” areas, either tummy or chest, is hot when it comes to the one piece this year, making it safe for everyone to swim once again!

Death of Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

"Lee Pockriss, who wrote novelty pop hits such as 'Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' for an eager, youthful post-World War II generation, has died in Connecticut after a long illness. He was 87. His wife, Sonja Pockriss, confirmed his death. She says he died at home in Bridgewater on Monday.

ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI SONG & VIDEO:

In a 2006 interview, Pockriss' songwriting partner Paul Vance called, 'Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' - about a shy young woman in a skimpy bathing suit - a "money machine." The novelty song, co-written with Vance, was first released in 1960 by Brian Hyland and rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year...."

For the complete post, click on Lee Pockriss, "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Writer, Dies at 87."

Thank you to Billboard.com for providing us with this post!

Swimwear For Petite & Small Cups Arrives

THE WAIT IS OVER:
SWIMWEAR ARRIVES FOR PETITE AND SMALL CUPS!

Voda Envy Push Up Turquoise Stone Bikini, $132.

Ever since I began selling lingerie online, I've continued to get messages about when I'll start carrying swimwear. My answer has always been the same, "When I find quality, stylish swimwear that fits my customers exceptionally well. It has to be something I would wear myself." That day have finally arrived.

I'm pleased to announce Eve's Apples Lingerie Boutique is now carrying Voda Swim. The Voda Envy Push Up gives 1 - 2 cup sizes and natural looking cleavage.

Before & After: Yulia, an international model prior to becoming a designer, models her custom designed swimwear, above.

Voda is the brain child of Yulia Drummond, whose inspirational story behind designing the first top makes me proud to be carrying Voda. She created the first bikini top out of necessity. After becoming frustrated about not finding a bikini top that fit well for her modeling "go sees," she took matters into her own hands. Since she was used to making her own clothes in Russia, Yulia created the first bikini top for herself. It took around a year to get all the samples, sizing and fit perfect. The result is the Envy Push Up swimwear line which makes women feel comfortable and confident. I'm thrilled to be bringing you a brand that is inspiring in its creation and helps others feel good about themselves.

Voda Envy Push Up String Bikini in white, $110.

Voda is owned and operated by Yulia and Dustin Drummond, her husband. Both of them have spent long hours creating a brand the right way: with integrity, quality assurance and style. The Envy Push Up comes in a variety of styles, sizes and colors: the string bikini (the most popular style), hoop string bikini, turquoise stone string bikini, monokini, one piece and more coming soon.

Are you two different sizes on top and bottom. Not to worry. Voda lets you mix and match your size and style of top with your bottom (coming June 1, 2011). There are endless possibilities. When you try an Envy Push Up, I think you'll be as surprised and delighted as I was to have a bikini top that actually fits and makes me look va-va voom on top! Try Voda Swim today!

Voda Envy Push Up Hoop String Bikini, Lipstick (pink), $127.

Be sure to check back next week for Eve's exclusive interview with Yulia Drummond who talks about her inspiration for founding Voda, her favorite designers and more! Did you know her favorite style bikini and color on women is the Voda Envy Push Up Hoop String Bikini in Lipstick, above? Find out more next week!

xo

~ Eve

www.evesappleslingerie.com

Classic Pin-ups: 1930's Swimwear!

Happy Birthday, Marilyn!

Thanks to LIFE magazine, we're honoring Marilyn Monroe's (Norma Jeane Baker) birthday, posting some of her famous swimsuit photos.

Marilyn in the early 1950s

My personal favorite is the 1959 photo with Jack Lemmon from "Some Like It Hot" (image above). With Marilyn, you don't need summer to turn up the heat. Insecure in her personal life, Marilyn was one person who appeared comfortable and confident in her photos.

Posing in a polka dot bikini, 1951 and in her final film (above), "Somethings Got to Give," in 1962 (below). From the outside, she looks like she had it all.


Happy 84th Birthday, Marilyn!