Happy May everybunny!
I am so honored to be a guest on the Beckley Blog today!
Head on over to BeckleyBlog.com to read my Interview with the Beckley girls!
Today marks my very first Bunny Babe of the Month interview!
Meet Melissa Richardson Akkaway & Kelsie Hayes, the beauties behind BeckleybyMelissa and Beckley Boutique in Los Angeles and Las Vegas!
BeckleyByMelissa has been seen on celebrities such as: Alexis Bledel, Selena Gomez, Jessica Alba, Zoe Saldana, Jenna Dewan, Selma Blair, Busy Phillips, and Emmy Rossum!
These two are always on the go whether it be Fashion Week in NY, managing production in LA, or traveling around the world to find inspiration for their next collection. Find out how these two power women stay healthy and ultra chic with their busy schedules!
+ Tell us about yourself
MRA: I am a mom, wife and the owner of Beckley Boutiques in LA and LV as well as the owner for BeckleybyMelissa, which is much more than just a private label line for our stores. Its truly a lifestyle contemporary brand specializing in stylish silhouettes, quality fabrics and custom designed prints every girl wants to own to elevate her cool girl persona.
KH: I live and work in NYC as BeckleybyMelissa’s senior designer. Each season Melissa and I conceptualize what story our “girl” is telling and I turn our concepts into a full 50 piece collection that we sell in our stores as well as wholesale out to other boutiques across the country. Aside from BBM, I work with Melissa on the creative side of the Beckley Brand. With Melissa in LA and myself in New York, we both get to travel coast to coast and get the best of both worlds!
+ Style Icon
MRA: Depends on my mood but I typically channel Sarah Jessica Parker, Zooey Deschanel, and Miranda Kerr.
KH: Lately I’ve loved following the model-off-duty looks from Cara Delevingne and Karlie Kloss. They have access to the best fashion that money can’t even buy- and it’s interesting to see the twist they put on it. Olivia Wilde can do no wrong in my book and I’ve loved her style dating all the way back to the OC days.
+ Favorite BeckleybyMelissa Item
MRA: Its hard to choose but am currently obsessing over our caramel color leather leggings and beetle print blouses.
KH: Sleeveless Athletic Anorak is my favorite because it’s the most wearable. You can wear it so many different ways whether its with denim and the matching skirt. I’ve found myself wearing it leaving yoga and with leather leggings at night. It’s so versatile.
+ How many times per month are you traveling for BBM?
MRA: 1 time per month sometimes upwards of 3 during busy times.
KH: 1-3 times as well depending on how busy we are. If we have a lot going on I like to spend at least 2 weeks in LA to accomplish everything at once!
+ Favorite place you have visited
MRA: In the US I would say Post Ranch Inn in Carmel, CA. For beaches, it would be Costa Rica and major city would have to be Paris.
KH: I absolutely love London and could see myself living there eventually.
+ Favorite travel snacks
MRA: Pistachios and water. I am currently writing this from the plane and happen to have both next to me.
KH: As much as I travel, I am still an unorganized hot mess. I’m usually throwing a granola bar in my bag, but if I forget I go for the protein box from Starbucks, or a fruit bowl from another cafe in the airport.
+ How do you stay healthy while traveling around the globe?
MRA: I drink lots of water almost double I drink at home. I also try to take a run when I land or the next day. It allows me to kick the jet lag as well as get a quick overview of the city I am visiting.
KH: The key for me is to keep up with my vitamins and stay hydrated. If I’m going to LA I try to get one full night of 12 hours of sleep once I get there because chances are I’m totally sleep deprived.
+ Favorite hotel room/travel/vacation workout
MRA: I love doing yoga in my room. A few down dogs, sun salutations and stretching is an easy quick way to get your body moving especially after a long flight. Plus its great for your mind to relax.
KH: I’ve been doing this squat challenge (day 25!!). It helps for me to do challenges like that because it keeps me motivated no matter where I am.
+ Ideal workout outfit
MRA: I am a big fan of Lululemon. Its on trend in color and fit plus wears well. I have some items that are well over 5 years old and still in great condition.
KH: I was a volleyball player and cheerleader most of my life- so I love spandex and always will.
+ Best stylish gym bag
MRA: I tend to carry a lot of big bags so I would say my large Goyard carry all tote is a great day bag for me to throw in my work out gear and iPod.
KH: My shark bag from Little Tokyo in LA.
+ Motivation to stay in shape
MRA: I have worked out for as long as I can remember.Its just a part of my life like taking a shower or brushing my teeth. I really enjoy working out as it provides me with a way to get out my stress and decompress mentally.
KH: I live in New York, surrounded by models. Enough motivation for me. On a serious note, as hard as it is to fit a workout in- I know it will energize me the rest of the day.
+ Favorite natural beauty remedy
MRA: I occasionally get an in home facial and my facialist mixes me a face mask after each treatment that is thermal so when it is applied to the face it heats up. Its my go to when I need a beauty fix while traveling.
KH: Oribe Hair Treatments once a month are my favorite.
+ Quick easy healthy recipe
MRA: I am a big smoothie person. I like to use non flavored protein powder, flax seed oil, ice, handful of frozen spinach, tablespoon of peanut butter, one banana and water. It is a healthy and tasty on the go snack/drink for me.
KH: Super mom Melissa is putting me to shame here. If I need to make something quick I usually just do a hard boiled egg.
+ Favorite skinny cocktail
MRA: I love a citrus vodka and soda with a lime. Its refreshing but definitely relaxes me.
KH: Vodka soda + 2 limes.
+ How do you maintain balance between your job and healthy lifestyle?
MRA: I make myself take a break from my phone and computer when I get home so I can spend quality time with my husband and son. It allows us to play, talk, make dinner and just be out of touch for a while.
KH: My job is definitely a huge part of my life because I love what I do so much. I am away from my family so I make sure to talk to my mom and sister once a day either in the morning or at night. I am slowly learning to turn my phone on silent while I sleep- but we work with so many people across the world so I have to stay connected! Basically, I am only 23 and I am still working out a healthy balance between work, social life, and rest.
+ Best advice for a busy fashionista
MRA: Fashion and trends are always changing so stay true to yourself and your lifestyle and make choices that work for you!
KH: Try to establish what your “uniform” is- and invest in it. If you like how you feel in a certain look- it makes it easier to get dressed if you stick to it and change it up with accessories!!
+ Embarrassing workout story
MRA: I ran track in college at Georgetown and I was running an extremely tiring cross country race and peed my pants. It was terrible but my team mates were super supportive and we laughed it off later. Sometimes your body just has enough!
KH: I went into a wrong class at yogaworks one day- and ended up being in a super advanced class. I figured this out when I was in a backbend for 5 minutes. I stuck it out but it was definitely not easy to keep up!
From left: Veronika Borchers, Melissa Akkaway, Alexis Bledel, and Kelsie Hayes.
+ Where to find Melissa & Kelsie
Melissa’s Instagram: @MelissaBeckley
Kelsie’s Instagram: @KelsieHayes
Beckley Blog: BeckleyBlog.com
+Beckley By Melissa
Website: BeckleyByMelissa.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/BeckleyByMelissa
Instagram: @BeckleyByMeliss
+Beckley Boutique
Website: BeckleyBoutique.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/BeckleyBoutique
Twitter: @Beckley Boutique
Instagram: @BeckleyBoutique
Beckley Blog: BeckleyBlog.com
+Giveaway
Melissa and Kelsie love you little bunnies so much that they are giving away a BeckleybyMelissa Spring 2013 Signature Beetle Print Scarf from Beckley Boutique so you can go to yoga class in style! Tie it around your chic gym bag or throw it on after leaving a workout class as you head to lunch with this adorable spring bug scarf!
Kelsie designed the print herself!
For your chance to win (you can earn up to 2 entries!!!):
- Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite travel snack or travel workout.
- Earn another entry by tweeting “ Enter the #giveaway hosted by @EatRabbitFood for a chance to #win a #BeckleybyMelissa #scarf from @BeckleyBoutique! http://bit.ly/101RVNv ”
– Complete your Twitter entry by leaving a separate comment on this post with a link to your tweet.
- That means you can earn up to 2 entries: comment on this post, follow on Instagram, follow on Facebook, follow on Twitter, and tweet!
- All entries must use a valid email address.
- Contest open to U.S. residents only (I’m sorry international bunnies!)
- All entries must be posted by Sunday, May 5 at 11:59pm (PST).
- winner will be announced on Monday, May 6.
Good Luck! xo
* The giveaway has ended, and the winner will be announced on Monday, May 6.
** Congratulations to the winner: Celina!
Cait Orton
May 2, 2013 at 4:39 pm (12 years ago)As weird and basic as it is, I’m a sucker for a sleeve of saltines when I travel! And as far as travel workouts go, there’s always room for a little yoga.
olivia!
May 2, 2013 at 4:49 pm (12 years ago)Best travel snack has got to be homemade trail mix! I love mine with extra almonds–maybe a little chocolate if I’m feelin’ crazy.
Jade Miles
May 2, 2013 at 5:04 pm (12 years ago)Oooh. Favorite travel snack is a banana or apple. Simple!
Erika
May 2, 2013 at 5:26 pm (12 years ago)My Ultimate Favorite Travel Snacks is banana with almond butter 🙂 ohhhh and cashews 😉
Stacey
May 2, 2013 at 5:58 pm (12 years ago)I really like grabbing mozzarella string cheese on the go. It’s great for staving off sudden hunger and really yummy too!
Tiffany
May 2, 2013 at 6:50 pm (12 years ago)Favorite travel snack are Luna bars, Lara bars, or apple/carrots
Jennifer R.
May 2, 2013 at 6:54 pm (12 years ago)My favorite travel snack is an apple and a peanut butter snack pack!
Jennifer R.
May 2, 2013 at 7:55 pm (12 years ago)I tweeted! So exited… Thanks so much for the giveaway! That scarf is just so beautiful.. And perfect for any occasion! Link to my tweet:
http://bit.ly/101RVNv
Karen
May 2, 2013 at 9:48 pm (12 years ago)My favourite travel snacks are any kind of nuts and dried fruit, great for stowing in my purse!
Shauna
May 3, 2013 at 1:43 am (12 years ago)My favorite travel snack is water and trail mix or larabar, they fit perfectly into my purse or carry on and I don’t have to worry about them going bad. And of course you can’t go wrong running or bike riding while traveling. I think its the best way to sight see and stay healthy! I love your blog, keep up the great work, you are so motivating!
Lindey
May 3, 2013 at 1:57 am (12 years ago)Luna bar!
Sharon
May 3, 2013 at 2:01 am (12 years ago)My favorite travel snack are cinnamon almonds and an apple!
Missy
May 3, 2013 at 3:54 am (12 years ago)Larabars! Or a banana and a package of almonds! On my honeymoon, I carried a single portion sized bag of almonds around with me everyday. They helped curb the “I must eat everything” cravings!
Kelly
May 3, 2013 at 5:26 am (12 years ago)favorite travel snack…plantain chips and dried mango! mmm and Kind bars are also another one of my fav’s 🙂
Meghan K.
May 3, 2013 at 7:13 am (12 years ago)My favorite travel snack is homemade trail mix with nuts, dried fruit, and cereal. 🙂
Ms. Morgan Leigh
May 3, 2013 at 8:18 am (12 years ago)My favorite travel snack is homemade trail mix but I’m planning on falling in love with the travel friendly spring rolls on Sprouted Kitchen next time I airborne.
Alissa
May 3, 2013 at 10:11 am (12 years ago)My favorite travel snack would have to be Trader Joe’s Wasabi Roasted Seaweed Snacks! I’m also obsessed with Tangelos – easy to throw in your bag and it has the BEST juicy citrus flavor out of any of its ‘cousins’!
Nikki K
May 3, 2013 at 10:20 am (12 years ago)My favorite travel snack is a tupperware of crunchy veggies! I usually cut up jicama, snap peas, red pepper and carrots! I greatly dislike trying to hunt for healthy food in the airport.
Emily G.
May 3, 2013 at 11:02 am (12 years ago)I always travel (even just when I’m out shopping) with a single serving pack of maple almond butter. I haven’t had to whip it out recently, but I like to know it’s there so I don’t feel the need to give in to other cravings. My go-to travel workout is simple: in the hotel I do sets of crunches, pushups, and squats. If I’m someplace near a beach I love to walk up and down the beach for some added cardio. And that scarf would be a perfect addition to my upcoming beach vacation! 🙂
Jenna B
May 3, 2013 at 11:18 am (12 years ago)fav travel snacks…ANY granola bars. my fav 🙂 I also usually bring crackers of some sort or homemade energy bites
Wendy
May 3, 2013 at 12:44 pm (12 years ago)Travel snack: apples! (mostly because it takes a while for them to go bad in comparison to other fruits :p ) and homemade protein bars.
Wendy
May 3, 2013 at 12:47 pm (12 years ago)Just tweeted yay! https://twitter.com/wenducka/status/330407736783273984
Courtney
May 3, 2013 at 12:55 pm (12 years ago)A nice hearty smoothie is my favorite travel snack!
Courtney
May 3, 2013 at 12:57 pm (12 years ago)or a handful of dark chocolate chips!
Ashley
May 3, 2013 at 1:41 pm (12 years ago)My favorite travel snacks are Purefit bars…delicious and keep me full! 🙂
Julie
May 3, 2013 at 10:28 pm (12 years ago)Honestly it depends. I love peanut butter so whenever I can legitimize that, I get that in. Lately it’s been pb & banana.
Nichole
May 4, 2013 at 2:57 am (12 years ago)When I am traveling I often go for baby carrots. You can find them anywhere and I like the “crunch,” especially on a long road trip.
Karen
May 4, 2013 at 5:20 am (12 years ago)My favorite travel snack is water and granola, preferably a Kind Bar. As for my workout, either walking or yoga.
Kaci
May 4, 2013 at 10:06 am (12 years ago)My favorite travel snack is almonds, and workout is walking to explore whatever city I’m visiting. 🙂
RiRi
May 4, 2013 at 11:20 pm (12 years ago)Favourite travel snack for me is dried fruit 🙂 (apples, banana, figs and apricots) with water or a juice.
It’s mess free and super refreshing.
Love Rhi xx
Carolyn
May 5, 2013 at 1:22 pm (12 years ago)My favorite travel snacks are Simple Squares! They contain simple ingredients such as nuts, honey, and spices (sage and rosemary!!). I also make sure I always have clementines with me when they are in season.
Celina
May 5, 2013 at 2:27 pm (12 years ago)When I travel I like to bring bananas and justin’s individual almond butter packs on the plane with me!
erin
May 5, 2013 at 8:36 pm (12 years ago)My fav travel snack has to be water with a bit of flavoring maybe berry,lemon,etc. Also,I like to stash raw almonds,dried cherries in my carry on.
JaNay
May 5, 2013 at 8:36 pm (12 years ago)When traveling, I love to have some fresh fruit all ready to snack on!
shannon
May 5, 2013 at 8:38 pm (12 years ago)When traveling, I pack stuff the night before, and take it out of the fridge/onto the carry-on. When flying, I am provided with a fresh and healthy treat. Some popular choices include fruit (apples, grapes, sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, and baby carrots). I also like pumpkin seeds and granola (or fiber/protein) bars.
Recently, when at a hotel and the work-out room was closed, I spread the beach towel on floor, and pulled out two LARGE bottles of water we had purchased at Trader Joe’s, using them as weights. I was able to complete my normal # of reps, and felt great!
shannon
May 5, 2013 at 8:48 pm (12 years ago)Oops– I meant to put a closing parenthesis after grapes, and then type “Veggies” before listing the veg. Sorry!
Margo
May 5, 2013 at 8:49 pm (12 years ago)Oh! I love dried cranberries and chocolate chips! Not super healthy but super yummy!
Margo
May 5, 2013 at 8:59 pm (12 years ago)I tweeted. Sorry I comment twice about the snack!
Margo
May 5, 2013 at 8:52 pm (12 years ago)Favorite snack is dried cranberries and chocolate chips! Not super healthy but super yummy! I also love sour patch kids…
Erica Hebert
May 5, 2013 at 8:53 pm (12 years ago)I just tweeted!
https://twitter.com/EricaJHebert/status/331254876610887680
Erica Hebert
May 5, 2013 at 8:58 pm (12 years ago)I live in New York, and I just came back from traveling to Louisiana, for a week. I always make sure I stock up on water, or tea. Flying always makes me dehydrated. I also snack on organic protein bars, and sometimes a little piece of dark chocolate, to keep my energy up since I tend to fall asleep on planes, mouth wide open. 🙂
Tricia M.
May 5, 2013 at 8:59 pm (12 years ago)I live on pre-portioned trail mix and dried fruit for traveling! And taking the stairs and avoiding the people movers and escalators always help get a little extra calorie burn in especially if you are sitting on a plane or bus for a long time!
Hillary
May 5, 2013 at 9:08 pm (12 years ago)When traveling I love homemade granola bars, they are healthy and filling! Cute scarf!
Lydia
May 5, 2013 at 9:27 pm (12 years ago)My favorite travel snacks are string cheese, almonds & slices of any fruit I could quickly grab. As for a traveling workout I would have to say a good 20 minute cardio involving stretching, intense cardio especially squats, need to maintain the latina booty. I actually would love to win the scarf for my daughter, being a single mom and on a tight budget with daughter that loves collecting scarfs this would mean the world to the both of us. Gracias!
Anna Marie
May 5, 2013 at 9:33 pm (12 years ago)When I travel, I bring nut/dried fruit mixes. And yoga is best for on the go time!
Claudia Martinez
May 5, 2013 at 9:35 pm (12 years ago)Apples – jazz, fuji, Braeburn
Anna Marie
May 5, 2013 at 9:35 pm (12 years ago)And tweeted! http://bit.ly/101RVNv
Carlie
May 5, 2013 at 10:11 pm (12 years ago)That beetle print is fantastic and I think I am going to have to get myself one of those Shark Gym totes!!!
Melanie Wise
May 6, 2013 at 6:10 am (12 years ago)I love to have raw cashew butter on hand in case of emergencies. I’ll put it on fruit, crackers, or I’ve even been known to eat it with a spoon! Yuuum
Beautiful scarf 😉
Keep us the awesome blog!!
-a fellow bunny
Melanie Wise
May 6, 2013 at 6:11 am (12 years ago)up*
Lyz
May 6, 2013 at 10:43 am (12 years ago)My favorite travel snacks are those little pretzel and hummus pods. I usually also pack some baby carrots to use the extra hummus. Yum.
Meg Mansell
May 6, 2013 at 12:32 pm (12 years ago)What a fun post. I had never heard of them and look forward to checking them out. Meg
Meg Mansell
May 6, 2013 at 12:32 pm (12 years ago)I also meant to say that I love medjool dates with coconut and a banana 🙂
Meghan M.
May 6, 2013 at 1:37 pm (12 years ago)That scarf is so pretty! My favorite travel snack is peanut butter crackers 🙂
Layna
May 20, 2013 at 6:25 pm (12 years ago)my favorite on-the-go snack is almonds and dried fruit. So easy to just put in a baggie and throw in your purse.