Hotel Yoga - LAN2K14

Extended Side Angle - Parsvakonasana

first night of +Lights All Night  was AMAZING! gahhhh, i can't even believe i survived for one, but i was definitely sore from all of the jumping around. so, what better way to unwind than yoga? since the room was a double [and i didn't feel like searching for the gym] i had to work with the narrow hallway. this explains why my hand/foot is cut off in the mirrored image above [but this did help with my lateral balancing] 

+Eros Sport  actually featured this shot and my fallen angel pose below on their Instagram page [first time trying it out!] 

essentially, i started out in Eka Pada Koudinyasana I, then slowly tilted my top leg upward until completely vertical. lots of breathing, lots of pushing, and concentration - just look at that forced smile!

i'll see if i can do this again this weekend, but chances are i will be too exhausted from eating...sleeping...raving....and repeating

Tousled Waves

oh third day hair, you never fail me. absolutely my best hair day to date!! super soft, extremely flowy [officially a word], not to mention tons of definition and shine. great look for winter and i am forecasting repeating this look in the summer as my go-to style

T-Tips (prep time - 25 mins):

1.      start off with dry hair, and section off a front section that's about finger tip wide, clip/bun/pin the rest back

2.      finger detangle - careful not to pull out your hair while doing so

3.      with a spray bottle, spray 2-4 pumps of water into your hand

a.      this amount varies on the dryness of your hair

b.      each section will be different, just remember you want the section to be damp not soaking wet

c.      if you don't have a spray bottle, just use a faucet to get about a nickel sized amount of water

4.      rub your hands together and smooth the water evenly across the section, gently pulling up/down as you go

a.      really target the roots and ends - this will ensure everything comes out smooth in the next day

5.      pour a dime to nickel size amount of oil in your palm, repeating the same motion as step 4

a.      you want to use a lighter oil [i used Organix Argan] but you can use whatever oil you wish

b.      if the oil you choose is on the heavier side [like coconut oil] just don’t use more than a dime sized amount, unless you want a more structured curl, since this oil has more hold to it

c.      this step is crucial for added shine and moisture retention

6.      choose a cream or leave-in conditioner, repeating the same process as step 4 only using 2-4 pumps

a.      i chose my trusty V05 Simply Stunning leave in conditioner

b.      you don’t want to go overboard with the amount as this would make the hair more curly than wavy unless you have more setting time [i did this before bed, so roughly 8 hours. you’d want 9.5+ if you plan to use more conditioner]

7.      once the section is smoothed out, start at the left or right edge of your scalp [depending on your preference] and roll down the section at a diagonal, making sure to rotate up & back towards your hair not the mirror

a.      think of how you would roll a sheet of paper into a funnel – same type of motion

b.      keep the hair slightly taught to your scalp as you go. any loose root sections will lead to a lumpy waves – we don’t want that!

8.      when you get to the end, re-enforce the twist by twisting one more time

9.      spritz the end with water, and smooth with a drop of oil or cream/conditioner

10.   pinwheel the end to you scalp keeping the hair taught

11.   use 2 bobby pins to form an X across the top of the pin curl, then 1 at the other end where the twist begins

12.   repeat steps 1-11 for 6-9 sections, depending on your preference

a.       i like to reverse the direction of the last section to sort of cap the entire wave for a more natural look

13.   when you finish, spray all sections with a mist oil for added shine [i chose Organix biotin spray]

14.   if you have buzzed/tapered sides & back:

a.      spray a bit of water in your hands and smooth all over

b.      do the same with an oil

c.      using a soft boar bristle brush, smooth down the hair

d.      lastly, smooth a bit of cream/conditioner over all sections

15.   grab your satin wrap/scarf/du-rag/cap and secure your hair in place, then hop in bed! [or watch Netflix, go grocery shopping – i don’t know your life]

a.      make sure your hair is completely flattened by the scarf/wrap

next day:

16.   unwrap

17.   de-pin everything [don’t  worry, everything will stay in place]

18.   place 2-3 drops of oil or smoothing serum on your finger tips

19.   starting at the back, unravel [not separate] the first section, adding additional drops of oil/serum if needed – 4 drops max or else your hair will be oily/heavy

20.   repeat steps 18-19 until you have reached the front section

21.   give your hair one last spritz of mist oil and you’re done!

a.      you can add hairspray instead of the oil if you like as well for additional hold

maintenance

22.   if you want to rock this look for another day or two[no more than two], simply spray your hair with a mist oil, then take your scarf/du-rag [not a cap] and loosely cover your hair

23.   you should look like you belong on a Chef Boyardee can

a.      this ensures that the curls are not entirely flattened when you sleep

24.   next day, the front section may have moved back a little, but this is easily fixed

a.      you may also notice the curls are slightly morphing together. this gives the appearance of extremely natural looking/effortless curls 

I wanna see your Peacock

Modified Mayurasana

alo! today's arm balance is a slightly modified version of  the Peaccok Pose or Mayurasana. this is one of the toughest poses i have tried in awhile - all arm, quad and core strength. my goal is to progress into the actual pose, but this is an excellent training-wheel pose to get me there

T-Tips:

*disclaimer: i do not have any formal yoga teaching*

• warm up with a few crow poses - especially your wrists!
• place your hands squarely to create balance from a low yoga squat
• keep your elbows bent as you lean forward - this creates tension for stability
• lean forward as if going into crow pose
• breath out, and extend both legs, while raising at a diagonal
• this is where your balance kicks in
• don't be afraid to use your head to re-calibrate everything as you shift into the pose
• i chose to widen my legs here, but this is optional 
• keep your elbows at a 90 degree anle, slowly lifting your chest and flexing all toes to engage your core
• you will feel your lower abs and quads sustaining the angle 
• after 2-3 breaths, twist out into a wide-leg stretch
• click here for more tips from le-experts

*Snow Globed*

have you ever been inside of a snow globe? have you ever wanted to be inside of a snow globe? well, i can't say that i ever have, but i definitely want to do it again! AA sponsors fun activities/events for almost every cultural holiday, from El Dia de los Muertos, to Ramadan and Hanukkah, along with more seasonal fun as well. this time around, a snow globe photo booth was selected to give everyone a bit of holiday cheer. besides the globe itself, there were also an array of cut-out santa hats, naughty/nice signs, top hats and more [i'm sporting a sophisticated naughty look, which may/may not be accurate]. definitely try it if you can, and if you've got the right skills, you will literally blend into the globe - just look at Adam in the top hat for example

T-Tips:

• dress warmly [seriously, it was cold]
• depending on the size of the globe, you really don't want more than a group of 6/7
• choose your props wisely
• remember to smile! - at the camera 

iFLY my Hair Back and Forth

first - my hair is a hot mess in this photo, yes. yes i know. besides that, this was an a m a z i n g experience that still gives me chills! mainly because the air was so cold, but i digress. +DFW FUSE hosted this event as a way of celebrating the holidays and also interacting with new/old members. though this was my first event, i could tell that the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. short description:  

Fuse is a group for gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning guys between the ages of 18-29 in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, focusing on creating a safer, healthier and more supportive gay community

though the age range may suggest the contrary, this group is very open. for many around this age [including myself], have found that not everyone with a rainbow is friendly. of course this could be the case with any random group/stranger/community. however, when exploring this side of oneself in a very large city, harsh comments from those considered to be brethren or family can have a detrimental impact down the road - even for the few bad bitches with high self-esteem. as with many resource centers at various colleges and universities, some find that they need to be surrounded by open arms, instead of open bars, to grow as a person.  no tea/shade on those whom chose the latter [i surely did], i'm just pointing out that there is another option out there. 

as for the indoor skydiving experience at +iFLY Dallas  - you won't be ready. you would think that all it takes is a little deep breathing and lunging into the netted abyss to achieve flight, but you will most likely be the one skimming the bottom. per the wise words of my awesome instructor above, it's all about relaxed, slow movements....and then you go crazy. checkout my +Beyoncé  laced video for a glimpse [featuring the high-fly option] and T-Tips below! 

A video posted by Trey (@treyeastuhh) on Dec 13, 2014 at 4:27pm PST

T-Tips:

• wear tennis shoes and pants. though this was in winter and shorts were already a no-go, you want to wear these two items to be comfortable in your suit
• shorts are allowed, i'm just saying pants were a good deal
• do not eat too much beforehand - same rules for riding a roller coaster apply. do you really want to be remembered as the one who had projectile vomit blow back in their face/swirl around them?? 
• pay attention to the instructor/dj's directions - your instructor will be inside with you, making sure your posture is correct, but remember to exaggerate more for the movements since nerves can change things
• one person in the DJ booth will be giving you hand signals as well to assist, just in-case you are lagging a bit
• KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED - gahhhh!!!! who knew smiling when you are flying was a bad idea? not this kid. since the wind tunnel is so strong, every drop of spit in your mouth will slowly creep up your face, should your mouth be open
• try to resist the urge to smile as best you can, lest you will walk out looking like a newborn, slobbered down baby [worst part is, you won't even feel it happening]
• if you have a lot of hair, pin it down. [see photo above if you choose to disobey]

Happy Holidays!

Brie and Princess Fiona

quick update for the holidays from the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel! this place was a wonderful playground full of nutcrackers, decorations and plenty of food. sadly, i did not take enough photos because my phone died i was focused on catching up with my two work besties, but i did manage to snap this beautiful wreath!

this was my first time to visit the resort, and the best way i can describe it is: an indoor version of San Antonio's River Walk, surrounded by hotel rooms with balconies. if you have not been to the SA/RW, just imagine a giant arboretum with a dozen different restaurants, servicing various cuisines, all along an enclosed "river." honestly, this place is comparable to Willy Wonka's factory. wish i had more details to give other than great food and decorations, but i will provide more when i go back for the full experience!

T-Tips:

• if you visit during the holidays, visitor parking in the garage is free! usually $16 on regular days [remember, this is a hotel & resort aka parking is extra for visitors]
• take a tour of the hotel! we only had the chance to eat dinner, but i highly recommend taking a tour around the entire resort
• keep your phone charged

Black Fridiiii

jacket | black leather - Forever XXI
shirt | black v-neck - Hanes
jeans | dark wash, skinny - Hollister
shoes | denim Jack Purcell's - Converse

+Galleria Dallas #DallasBIG 

first time actually shopping on black friday evaahh. did i wait in line for a week? wake up at 4am? bring a tent? no, no, and....no. i didn't even get to the Galleria until 9am aka midnight in BFT [black friday time]. honestly, i only planned to look around, but i made the mistake of walking into +Banana Republic  - it was a damn good one  

50% your first item, then 40% off the next. i wold have ignored it all until i found this amazing gem:

Layton Buckle Grey Suede - Banana Republic

cuánto cuesta? well with the discount, they were $86. perfect for me! i still hesitated a bit, since i am a cheapskate like to shop around first before making an official purchase, but these are an investment. now, i was on my way to purchase the boots when the cashier mentioned that the boots were also offered......in brown leather:

Layton Buckle Chocolate Leather - Banana Republic

i was freaking out! i asked to try on a pair, but all they had left in store were a size 13. i had the option of ordering a pair online instead, but that would mean i would have to wait for who knows how long [they were already on back order] and i would miss out on the sale.....or so i thought! thanks to the skills of one BR employee, i was able to purchase the grey boots in store at 50%, then order the leather pair online at 40%, along with free shipping!! grand total: less than $200 - original price was $250 for one pair. i'd call that a success, ey?

T-Tips:

• unless there is a guaranteed discount of 99% or higher, skip the camping out
• do get there before noon though, this is when the crowds really pour in
• pay attention to the radio - some stations will update you on the parking lot capacity for major malls
• have a budget set - mine was $100 [i went a wee bit over]
• remember, there is always cyber monday :)

Reflexão | Trikonasana

Reflexão 

this is really a simple wide-legged stretch to prep for the following pose. you want to hold this for 8-10 breaths to really stretch your back and hamstrings

Trikonasana Variation

this triangle pose variation serves as an excellent stretch to your hamstrings, core and back. you will feel this stretch particularly between your shoulder blades as well. 

T-Tips: 

• to enter this pose, simply shift one hand towards the center, keeping your back straight and hips forward
• begin to twist up, keeping both arms straight, hips aligned forward
• look up towards your raised hand, and breath for 3-4 breaths
• switch and repeat!

Hey Snowfalke

shirt | speckled navy button down - +EXPRESS 
tie | +EXPRESS
cardigan | ash - +H&M 
scarf | crinkled black - +Forever 21 
pants | black photographer - +EXPRESS

this look has been deemed snowflake [by yours truly] since it features a light range of cool and achromatic colors, along with the pattern of the shirt itself  

T-Tips:

• roll-cuff the cardigan sleeves to expose the pattern of the shirt
• unbutton the first button of your cardigan 

Treyday!

this was lonnng overdue - some good ole me-time! granted, i did not actually start my "day" until 3pm, but sleep is major part to any successful #treyday. today's goals: 

cologne | Fierce, A&F [aka husband scent]

cardigan | literally anything

pants | gotta get winter ready!

i was only able purchase Fierce - no luck finding a cardigan or pants. thankfully, there was a Braum's nearby, which is basically the same as buying clothes, right?

side note: i'm thinking about straightening my hair[for the first time evaaaa]/doing a winter office wear series. thoughts? let me know below :)

Coo coo for Coconuts! - Dallas PRIDE 2K15

me | Chloe O.
Daily Juice - Dallas Pride 2014

eek! pride! although you might not be able to tell from this photo, this was the largest LGBT Pride Parade in Dallas historyyyyy [in #Tstory at least]. TONS of colorful people in costumes, floats from various restaurants, clubs and corporations, food, and coconuts! typically, i would document every inch of an event like this to give the full "ooo, ahhh, get ittt" experience here, but i did not this time. why? it was too damn hot outside i really wanted to just enjoy the experience. 95 degrees outside +  tons of body heat = ang-trey. seriously. i loved the event, but useful shade [beyond what was thrown by the hundreds of drag queens] that kept you cool was hard to come by. beyond that, this was a memorable first experience - being in a crowd of people enjoying their lives as they are, not worried about any judgement whatsoever. 

after we had our fill of fun and beads, it was time for some much needed refreshment [i drained my water bottle hours ago]. thankfully, Daily Juice was there for the rescue! this spot has a lot of healthy snack and drink options to fuel your day or help recover/replenish after a workout - Texas heat-wave in our case. why did we choose a 5$ coconut? well for one, the water bottle at the parade were also 5$ [which is just ridiculous], but coconut water is a supposedly more healthy and hydrating than water itself. now, i'm no expert paleo-science-food-health-subject-matter-expert, but i honestly could not tell a difference. i felt more "full" than hydrated. real talk: who cares. me and C were totes model status/brand repping that afternoon because e v e r y o n e [ok, like five people, since we're being real here] kept asking where we got them! that's really all that matters anyway. so although it may not quench your thirst, coconut water is sure to get you a little more attention - especially if you are drinking it straight from the source!

at the very end of the parade, there was a huge lawn concert to celebrate with a bang!we were too indecisive to get there in time for the real party, but we made it nonetheless! there was food, music, alcohol if you're into that [i'm not, but i heard the prices were reasonable. when i saw the price for water, i begged to differ]. truly an unwinding experience after a long day of shouting/jumping/walking.

overall, i had a blast and cannot wait for next year! check out my T-tips below to make the most of this event. and remember, although it is a LGBT parade, it is open to everyone - a rainbow card is not necessary to enter just be shirtless come enjoy the day!

T-Tips

• GET THERE EARLY - omg, parking was a nightmare! literally every non-tow-able nook and cranny, within a mile radius, was occupied for the parade. carpooling is also an extremely good idea
• there were paid garages and valet areas, but i refuse to pay for something that is usually free
• don't wear jeans - unless you are the dessert heat equivalent of an eskimo, you will want to wear light, breathable clothing. if you feel like wearing a bathing suit, no one will judge you [although you may receive a score from me, on a scale of 1 to 10]
• hat/sunglasses - again sun = hot
• carry cash - not all of the vendors there will accept le-plastique, especially if you are trying to buy a bottle of water [Daily Juice accepts all forms of payment - this is a sign to buy coconuts]
• same with the lawn party. only cash was accepted for the cover 
• be prepared to rub against sweaty people - the sidewalks were packed to capacity, and getting through without touching someone was nearly impossible. just breath and utilize your cat-burglar/spy skills
• understand that the main road is blocked off, so if you are trying to cross over to the opposite side, be prepared to walk 1+ miles to the nearest open crossing
• attempt to sneak into the parade [we got close, but the parade had ended]
• if you don't have work the next day (this was on a Sunday) feel free to continue the party at any of the bars/clubs in the area. [i peaced out at sun-down]
• have fun!

New Aviator Swag, from Six Flags! - Dallas PRIDE 2K15

aviators | mirrored platinum - Looney Toones, Six Flags

hollla!! first, take a minute to admire these aviators. they. are. QUICHE

 it has been entirely too long since i have enjoyed a day full of adrenaline and cotton candy. before, i could only go with my summer camp group when i was -12, but s/o to my mom's job for hosting an annual picnic here para gratis. this year was not nearly as hot as last year [thankfully], so we all got to enjoy the rides semi-heat stroke free. 

today was particularly interesting because i actually convinced both of the rents to ride the awe-inspiring Titan.

S | http://www.gregscoasterphotos.com/images/sfot/titanside.jpg

the Titan is by far my favorite roller-coaster for a guaranteed  adrenaline rush and g-force delivery. from the suspense filled taxi up to the peak before a breath taking death drop, to the crushing feeling with each corkscrew, you will feel the power of German engineering! the ride was not actually made in Germany, but i could not resist the commercial reference. now when the rents agreed to ride this, i asked them several times [especially focusing on la madre] if they fully understand what will happen within the next 40-85 seconds  - they said yes. 85 seconds later - m "never, again". the most annoying part their experience was getting them to comply with the rules of: no hats, no sunglasses [they insisted that both would stay on during the ride]. of course the attendants had to pause for another 15 seconds before the rents gave in, #safety, but this was extremely embarrassing, especially for my brother.

we don't always match, but when we do, it's company sponsored

we did manage to snap a group photo [my hair was is beyond flawless, with mild Superman undertones]. best part of the entire day: the rents had no clue it was PRIDE weekend for Six Flags. granted, there weren't a lot of rainbows, drag queens or anything like that [though that's what i was expecting since i've never been to a PRIDE day here], but i am sure le-crew was around somewhere. typically [from what i have researched] PRIDE days at Six Flags are in late September for an entire week - so chances are, given this was the end of said week, everyone was PRIDE'd out

T-Tips:

• get there early - even though there is plenty of parking, who wants to walk 2 miles [possibly exaggerating] to then walk another 5 to have fun?
• sunglasses/hat/visor/umbrella - yes, here it is acceptable to have an umbrella for shade [although it should be acceptable everywhere]
• eat before you go - depending on how early you get in/your queasiness factor on rides, you might want to save 20$ by eating elsewhere. Six Flags food is good, but a burger should not cost more than caviar.
• PRIDE wise - just check the dates on Facebook/Instagram for any special events during Six Flags PRIDE days if you are wanting to find bae feel more connected with the LGBTQQIP2SAA community [yes, there are more letters now]
• ride the Titan while eating cotton candy!

Fresh ta-Death Friday!

shirt | navy harlequin - Express
jacket | cotton grey - Macy's
jeans | dark wash skinny - Hollister Co.

hey-hay-hey! look who's sporting a new jacket 

yes, this was in my office's gym locker room, however, the lighting was perfection and the mirrors knew what's up #noRAHgrets

belt | Express 

look at that smile! and cheers to not shaving on Friday's, okurr

Eka Pada Koudinyasana I

say what?? this pose is amazing - amazing because i actually had my face off the ground on my first attempt - hayyyyyy

T-Tips: 

*disclaimer: i do not have any formal yoga teaching*

• warm up with a few crow poses - especially your wrists!
• place your hands squarely to your side - think of how you would place your hands in crow
• keep your elbows bent - this will be your shelf for your inside leg
• leading with your knee, place your inside leg on your outside elbow
• breath out, and extend your inside leg forward, while bringing your outside leg up and out at a diagonal
• this is where your balance kicks in
• don't be afraid to use your head to re-calibrate everything as you shift into the pose
• keep your elbows at a 90 degree anle, lifting your chest and flexing all toes to engage your core
• after 2-3 breaths, twist out into a wide-leg stretch
• repeat on the other side
• click here for more tips from le-experts