Have you ever watched one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things” shows? Gosh, I love it. It’s fun to see what she comes up with. Now, I’m not Oprah and as much as I’d love to give you all the things I’m about to mention… that’s just not happening today. BUT, I hope you enjoy anyway and maybe you’ll get an idea of what to buy for someone, too!

• The Lucy X-Training Pant

The BEST workout pant I have ever owned, bar none. I absolutely love these pants and often wear them almost at every workout, which means I wash them nightly and then use them the next day. That’s a lot of washes and they still look fantastic. The perfect blend of tightness and looseness in these. I think you’ll love them!

• Kate Spade Cooper Square Purse

I’m in love with this purse. I got this back a few months ago and it’s perfect! It’s classy and sophisticated. Two of my favorite combinations.

• Champion Shape Wear

I’ve talked about Champion’s new line of shape workout wear, it really is super awesome. It’s comfortable and yet holds it all together for you. Definitely my favorite capri’s to go running in.

• Jcrew Two Pocket Chambray Shirt

Now I don’t own this top. But I want to! My sister is a personal stylist at jcrew and rocks an awesome chambray look from them. I also love how Lilly from Lilly’s Style, styled her look with a chambray top…

See, I think every girl needs a good Chambray top in their life.

• Stila Lip Glaze

This is an excellent for stocking stuffers. I love me some Stila! I use it every day and have multiple colors, too. The gift packs right now for the Christmas season are a very good deal!

• Stella & Dot Statement Necklace

I absolutely fell in love with this necklace (and bracelet) from Stella&Dot. My friend Laura is an Independent consultant for Stella&Dot and had a Truck Show one evening and when I saw this bracelet, I had to have it. When I found out there was a matching necklace, it went right on my wish list and soon that baby was mine too. I love statement jewelry paired with simple outfits. Now, the necklace I have on it no longer available. But they still have tons of gorgeous statement necklaces that I think you or any lovely lady would love to have.

• Essie Nail Polish

Have you tried Essie nail polish yet? It really is THE BEST nail polish out there. I have no idea what they do, but their colors are amazing, vibrate and it stays on for a long time. Gotta love that! This is a great stocking stuffer idea too!

• iPhone 4S

Because Siri is awesome.

And don’t forget the dog!!

• Squeaky Toys 

Happy Shopping, friends!!

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The winner of the Erin Baker’s Wholesome Baked Goods is….

Congrats, Emily! Please email me at Lauren@teamgiles.com to claim your prize!

Recently, Chris from Run Hundred sent me their top ten running songs for December. I love that each song shows the BPM. Check them out… which one is your favorite?

The Top 10 Workout Songs For December

Here’s the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred–the web’s most popular workout music blog.

Calvin Harris – Feel So Close (Benny Benassi Remix) – 131 BPM

Katy Perry – The One That Got Away – 135 BPM

Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds (Can’t Walk Out Remix) – 121 BPM

Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ (Immortal Version) – 123 BPM

LMFAO & Lil Jon – Shots (Dummejungs Remix) – 128 BPM

Rihanna & Jay-Z – Talk That Talk – 84 BPM

Will.I.Am, Mick Jagger & Jennifer Lopez – T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever) – 106 BPM

Alexandra Stan – Mr. Saxobeat (Maan Studio Remix) – 126 BPM

Laidback Luke, Steve Aoki & Lil Jon – Turbulence – 129 BPM

Dev – In The Dark (DJ Kue Remix) – 126 BPM
To find more workout songs–and hear next month’s contenders—folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

My sister told me to blog more. So I thought of a fun challenge for us!

Did you know that 700 jumping jacks could help you lose 1 pound? Of course with a healthy diet in place. You can’t go eat a pile of pies and expect jumping jacks to help you lose weight. Remember, its 30% exercise, 70% diet that brings in results.

So here’s the challenge this month. With the holidays upon us that means that exercise can sometimes go to the waste side, but doing so means that all that holiday partying can go to your waist size. SO…. Let’s find ways to get our fitness on, yes?

Jumping Jacks Challenge

click to enlarge

Each day in December take some time to get some Jacking Jacks in. All it takes is less than 5 minutes to knock out this mini exercise. It requires no equipment at all, just YOU.

You ready for this? I’m committing to do these jumping jacks and I know you can too! Every little bit adds up, to something great!

You know what drives me crazy; Excuses. I’m sure you’ve heard them all, or said them all… I know I have too.

“I’m too busy to work out.”

“Its just ONE more cookie.”

“But everyone was going to the buffet for lunch, I had to eat it all too.”

“I’m not losing weight, its so-in-so’s fault for tempting me with food.”

Just stop. Please, just stop. I tell myself this from time to time, when I find I’m making excuses for myself, for my actions and not getting the results I want. Its no ones fault that I missed a workout, or that I ate too much. Its only my own fault. Its only your own fault if you’re not happy with your diet and exercise routine. Its so easy to fall into this trap of blaming everyone and everything else for our own doing, but we have to become better than that. We have to become the type of people to own up to our own shortcomings, but choose to do better, not wallow in self-pity. Don’t wallow, go for a walk.

I saw this the other day and completely 100% agree with this:Don’t be on a diet, ya’ll. If thats the only piece of advice I can ever give, then that would be it. Don’t do a diet. Live your diet. Make healthy choices, make it a lifestyle of healthy living.

And it wouldn’t be right for me to leave you today without giving you some homework, right? Here’s a fun workout that you can do anywhere. Try this out at the gym or at home…

Enjoy!