I turned 31 years old last week.
I thought I'd stop feeling like a kid by now but I'm starting to think I'll always feel this way.
Thank God, right?
6.02.2014
9.16.2013
Diet, Fitness & Wellness, Oh My!
Since the start of September, I've been laser focused on my diet, my fitness routine and my looks.
It's time once again, to get back to basics!
And by the basics, I mean all the things that make us look even better while in our fabulous clothes.
Over the months, I've received a lot of questions regarding how I stay fit, healthy, happy and glowing.
Thank you!!
Well, it definitely isn't easy taking photos everyday while in this normal life that I lead - aka: no hairstylist, no assistant, no personal trainer, etc... But I find if I just try one thing at a time, having an active fitness and beauty routine to help keep me feeling good about myself is not as difficult as one would think.
If you've been following my Instagrams, I took a couple selfies before running off to my Barre Method class. I go to The Main Barre where awesome instructors like Audra teach me how to squeeze a ball between my thighs while on my toes, shaking my hips. Yeah baby :) It's a fun, hard workout and I feel sexy during and afterward. That's important. Plus it keeps my abs and butt tight!
I also run 2-5 miles a day. I figure, since I love love love wearing all things short, I should invest some time and energy (literally) on my legs.
www.pinchofyum.com
I've recently discovered that I am gluten intolerant and that I am really only able to eat a handful of foods that won't cause less than attractive consequences on my physique and skin. Though I've experienced the effects of gluten and other hard-to-process foods, I've often ignored them but it's time to stop ignoring my body and start giving it what it needs! So I've been hooked on amazing health blog, Jojoba's Witness to continue giving me tips and tricks on holistically getting brighter skin, better working organs, and a calmer, clearer head on my shoulders. Blogger Katie Braja is my guru on all things health and wellness and I love trying the foods she Instagrams!
Clarisonic Mia 2
And lastly, my complexion has been a consistent frustration to me since I moved to California.
Though my facial routine is simple, I still find I need to wear makeup everyday.
Which shouldn't be the case but it's mainly due to my inability and lack of enthusiasm to wash my face well.
So I decided to get a Clarisonic facial scrubber to help me out in the "radiance" department.
It's wonderful for photos and I got the Mia2 because it has a higher speed for those days when I've been wearing lots of makeup.
The vibrations from the scrubber get the blood flowing, making my cheeks look tight and ripe!
Though my facial routine is simple, I still find I need to wear makeup everyday.
Which shouldn't be the case but it's mainly due to my inability and lack of enthusiasm to wash my face well.
So I decided to get a Clarisonic facial scrubber to help me out in the "radiance" department.
It's wonderful for photos and I got the Mia2 because it has a higher speed for those days when I've been wearing lots of makeup.
The vibrations from the scrubber get the blood flowing, making my cheeks look tight and ripe!
And speaking of radiance, there's nothing like a good ol' glowing shimmer to the skin while I'm out and about in the sun.
It's mica, ladies and it's natural and gorgeous on any skin tone! In particular, I have been using Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion. It gives me a perma-glow.
That and a good scrubbing in the shower every morning buffs up the skin for an overall brighter look.
2.20.2013
The Juice Makeover
For the past month or so I've been juicing daily...hourly, whenever.
I'm addicted!
I'm not really into cooking and since I'm really busy anyway I decided to start drinking meal replacing fluids. THEN I started getting into the veggie drinks as snacks and all of a sudden my face and skin have really improved and I've got tons more energy. Total confidence booster :)
This juice I drink every day:
kale / 2 apples / ginger
Specifically for my face, I drink carrot/ginger juice too!
bangles: Old Navy / top: Tiny Closet Collection / nail color: Covergirl "Coral Silk" / denim: All Saints
Which leads me back to my very first post where I talked about what I've always felt are the preliminaries of dressing: health, diet and feeling amazing!
Simply essential. Going shopping when you're feeling insecure and crappy is like grocery shopping on an empty stomach...during your period...after getting dumped. Basically it's not good.
When you feel good, you look good and that's for damn sure.
It's just easier to wear clothes and have more fun with it all!
So I've been dressing simpler and going back to the roots of this whole operation. While I continue designing my lil collection of basics, what fuels me is the inner beauty and simplicity of not fashion but style. Wearing the clothes you wear and not letting the clothes wear you. Ya know?
Anyway, getting ready to have coffee with my dad, he immediately complimented me, in his own words of course, saying "Wow, you look like a shiny new penny!" ....eh, I would've preferred Kerry Washington but thanks, dad. I feel like it too.
11.07.2011
My Tiny Closet
Well, I'm just going to come out and say it - I'm unemployed. Before 6 months ago, I was in e-commerce retail and enjoying my decade long habit of weekly shopping, sale events, makeovers and satisfying my "have-to-have" clothing lust. Then came the dj record cut and the party stopped. No job, no money to spend.
Walking through downtown seeing all the new bags and shoes and fall clothing in the windows got harder and harder. I stayed home. At my computer all day emailing resumes and staying up to date with the fashion world, I began to hate everything in my closet. And having cancelled my hot yoga membership, I even started hating how I was beginning to look in my clothes. Ugh. Things had gotten gloomy.
Then a month ago, I decided to snap out of it. I looked at myself and thought - I am 28 years old, I'm healthy and happy and I am broke as a joke. Lets make this work. So I began documenting and listing things I had found that got me closer to enjoying my limited means - coming up with great ways to not only make do but even improve my style. Its gotten to be so much fun that I decided to chronicle my adventures and experiments.
To get myself out of my funk, this was my first list:
1. Go for a jog.
Get out and sweat. Sweating clears my pores and jogging tones my legs. Both are free. Yes please!
2. Go organic. Like really organic.
My department store face regimen was getting ridiculously expensive. I decided to find the ingredients my face needs at the grocery store. Whole Foods is wonderful for such an adventure.
The cleanser I was using was a version of Black Soap. My combination skin loves BlackSoap so I now get it in bar form made by hand by a group of women in Ghana (fair-trade). Its cheap and can be found anywhere in the states though. During Winter months, my face gets really dry so I sweep on a thin layer of Jojoba oil before washing with BlackSoap. It counteracts the soap's drying affects.
My skin also loves apple cider vinegar. I mix it with water in a bottle and pat it on my face. I don't use cotton balls - the rubbing induces redness, which I don't need!
Lastly, my moisturizer was hard to break down into active ingredients. A girlfriend of mine actually gave me a moisturizer from LUSH Cosmetics, Enzymion. First ingredient is lemon juice and its famous for its matte finish, which is great for those shiny noses. I tried it and it was grand! I don't use a lot at all though so when it runs out, I will buy the $4.95 sample pot - lasts a long time.
For the Fall and Winter months, I mix it with pure coconut oil to give my face a bit more moisture and protection.
3. Style your f*ing hair.
Wash it, brush it, style it - do something! Done hair makes it that much easier for me to feel put together before I've put on anything at all.
4. Wear perfume.
Even when the weather is gloomy and I don't have plans, a cheery ladylike perfume gives my day a bit more formality and urge to do something.
My fiance has always bought all of my perfumes. Its a special treat. But when I am curious about a scent, I get samples. Tons of them. And boy do they last!
5. Go places, if not to just see the sights.
I am a city girl through and through. But with lack of funds, brunches, happy hours, dinners and lattes are spread far apart these days. I still get dressed and walk around though. I make notes of new restaurants opening, cafes I haven't visited, and future places to go. Walking with a friend makes this even more fun- before I know it, I'm chatting up a storm and having a great walk. For free :)
So, this list really helps me stay focused on the important things. Looking great! Ha, but more importantly, doing these things reminds me that clothes don't make the woman. A healthy body, clean skin a little perfume and some enthusiasm will make just about any ensemble look fabulous.
God, I'm turning into my mother...
Read More »
Walking through downtown seeing all the new bags and shoes and fall clothing in the windows got harder and harder. I stayed home. At my computer all day emailing resumes and staying up to date with the fashion world, I began to hate everything in my closet. And having cancelled my hot yoga membership, I even started hating how I was beginning to look in my clothes. Ugh. Things had gotten gloomy.
Then a month ago, I decided to snap out of it. I looked at myself and thought - I am 28 years old, I'm healthy and happy and I am broke as a joke. Lets make this work. So I began documenting and listing things I had found that got me closer to enjoying my limited means - coming up with great ways to not only make do but even improve my style. Its gotten to be so much fun that I decided to chronicle my adventures and experiments.
To get myself out of my funk, this was my first list:
1. Go for a jog.
2. Go organic. Like really organic.
So, instead of spending upwards of $150 on face care alone, I now spend $50
and the products work just as well.
3. Style your f*ing hair.
Wash it, brush it, style it - do something! Done hair makes it that much easier for me to feel put together before I've put on anything at all.
4. Wear perfume.
Even when the weather is gloomy and I don't have plans, a cheery ladylike perfume gives my day a bit more formality and urge to do something.
5. Go places, if not to just see the sights.
I am a city girl through and through. But with lack of funds, brunches, happy hours, dinners and lattes are spread far apart these days. I still get dressed and walk around though. I make notes of new restaurants opening, cafes I haven't visited, and future places to go. Walking with a friend makes this even more fun- before I know it, I'm chatting up a storm and having a great walk. For free :)
So, this list really helps me stay focused on the important things. Looking great! Ha, but more importantly, doing these things reminds me that clothes don't make the woman. A healthy body, clean skin a little perfume and some enthusiasm will make just about any ensemble look fabulous.
God, I'm turning into my mother...
Thanks for reading!
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