beauty

Beauty: Two Easy Beachy Hair Looks!

June 30, 2013




As I was spending my last week in the beautiful city of Honolulu, Hawaii, I was obviously in and out of the water. Wet, beachy hair can be some girls' worst nightmare, especially if beachy waves just don't happen for your hair. I share your pain, beachy waves just translates to frizzy locks for me. It's the struggle between wanting to dip in the beautiful aqua waters and go out after but not wanting to look like a wet dog. Here's two easy hairstyles that don't require any blow-drying so you can go from the beach and dinner in a reasonable amount of time.

1. The Queen's Crown
Don't fret, this look isn't as stuffy as it sounds. It's really simple. First, put your hair in a high ponytail. Then, either take a hair donut or the sock you use to make your sock bun, and bring it all the way to the root of your pony tail. Next, Try to spill your hair evenly over the donut, and secure that bun shape with another hair elastic. Braid the remaining hair and wrap it around your bun. Viola, your queen's crown! This is one of my new favorite looks. 
2. The Princess's Tiara
A headband can always be a quick fix for a bad hair day, but why not use your own resources? This looks will keep them wondering. Take a two to four inch piece of hair from behind your ear and braid it. Take this braid and put it over your head, and secure it on the opposite side of your head with a bobby pin.

Both of these looks work well with semi-wet hair, so you don't need to take the extra time to blow dry your hair. These looks are relaxed enough to go with a crop top and shorts but fancy enough to pair with a maxi dress and gladiators. Enjoy your summer, and look out for my Hawaii 2012 LookBook on my YouTube!

bare essentials

Ipsy Glam Girl

June 25, 2013

I've always been ever so jealous of fashion bloggers and makeup gurus who get sent their various boxes  - where it be Pop Sugar Boxes or Ipsy Glam Bags. Well, I finally did it. Today I went to ipsy.com and signed up, and took the survey. I've subscribed to the monthly glam bags and can't wait to start blogging about my monthly finds! Not only is it a site where you can get seamlessly free beauty products, but you can upload and share your looks with fellow fashionistas. If you haven't made your way over to ipsy.com, do it!

In the mean time, check out my first look I posted on Ipsy.com. I'm currently on a family vacation in Hawaii, and today I attended a fun-packed Luau. My outfit was obviously Luau appropriate - a mix of beachy and tribal and trendy. 

This is a look I wore to a Luau in Hawaii. Top from Charlotte Russe, skirt from Faded Glory, sandals from Forever 21, bracelets from PacSun and Pandora. Bag from Pacsun.
My hair was in a topknot, with a braid. 
I highlighted the pink tones in the look with my makeup. 
I mixed lotion and bb cream, and applied to my face with a makeup sponge.
I mattified it with VS powder.
I applied my dream bouncy blush to my cheeks and used my bare minerals blending brush to blend.
On my lids, i used a light brown, the crease was a plum, and i highlighted it with a light pink all from a forever 21 pallet.
I just applied benefit's nasty gal mascara to both lashes and filled my eyebrows in.
my lips is kate moss for revlon's light pink lipstick.

Check out the full look at: http://www.ipsy.com/look/l-hicsezim8d42i7?display_finish_banner=true

biking

Lifestyle: How do I even go to the gym?

June 23, 2013

If you're crazy like me, going to the gym is one of your hobbies. When people ask me what I do for fun, I include going to the gym. Some people want to, but their problem is not knowing what to do once they get there. There's so many options, it can be a bit overwhelming. Here's some tips to help you get the best experience when you're working up a sweat!
photo credit: weheartit.com
  • 1. Go with a friend!
Using the buddy system is a good way to stay safe when traveling in an unknown place, however it's always a good way to keep up motivation to work out! Most gyms allow every person one guest for free or for a small charge. It's worth it! I've brought my best friend once and my boyfriend once. It's comparable to showing someone your new house; there's so much to explore!
It's also fun to show your friend your routine or secrets, or they can spill some to you as well. I run with friends often, too. Studies have shown that people that work out in pairs or groups tend to burn more calories. You're talking and bonding, and you forget that you're working out. Think of all the teamwork you can do, and you can motivate each other. If your friend is slacking off, just remind them of their potential beach bod.


  • Double Whammy
Whenever you go to the gym or work out, split it up between cardio and lifting. Save one day a week for muscle strength - maybe do pilates!
A typical gym day for me goes:
15 minutes running on the treadmill at 6.5 - 5.5 at 1.0 incline. You could also walk at 4.5 at a high incline to work your large muscle groups in your legs and butt!
15 minutes either on the elliptical or bike (or 8 minutes on the stairmaster)
then 30 minutes of lifting.
If you're not into the cardio machines (trust me, I despise treadmills), here's some cardio alternatives!
- Step Cardio
- Mountain Climbers
- Burpees
- Burpee push-ups for an extra challenge
- Jumping jacks
- Sprints
rotate the work outs about for 30-45 seconds each for an amazing Tabata interval challenge. It gets you in shape fast!

photo credit: weheartit.com


  • Know What You Wanna Work!
Before you start going to the gym or start any workout routine, take a good look at your body. Of course, we should all appreciate our bodies, flaws and all, but what do you want to tone? That's the mindset you should have. Don't think, "I have a flabby stomach," think, "I wish I had flatter abs."
So, if you want to perk up your behind, think how much you want to tone up your butt!
Here's some work outs that will hit every problem spot on your body:
Abs: Planks, Double crunches, Leg raises and toe touches, hollow rocks
Legs: lunges, squats
Butt: plie squats, squat jumps, squats


  • Music Gives You Motivation
Music really does make everything better. If you have an arm band, you can easily put your iPod or iPhone in it and run, lift, and more freely. You can run to the beat of the music, or simply let the music motivate you. I never use my iPod when I run on the streets or on trails, so it's an extra treat to have when I'm on the dreaded treadmill. My gym has "Planet Fitness TV" that plays music and ads. Some gyms, including mine, have a place to charge your iPod and a headphone jack so you can listen to your iPod and charge it simultaneously, or listen to one of the TVs playing!

When it comes to working out - just find what fits you. You might not hit it on the head the first time. I learned that after games and games of being benched in basketball. However, that all changed the first time I crossed the finish line in a cross country race. You might like Pilates, Yoga, Spin, Tabata, or even Dance. Most gyms have classes and even bonuses such as tanning and massages. I personally don't tan, but that's because my fair Irish skin can't handle it. Whatever you need to get started and in a rhythm  Once you're in that rhythm  you don't wanna get out of it. It may be late June, but it's never too late to start getting ready for bikini season!


SIDE NOTE - I'm currently typing this in LAX and this is my first time in LA, everyone is SO stylish here! I've seen sneaker wedges styled countless ways and now I've decided to snag a pair for myself. I'll be doing my OOTW for my week in Hawaii. Keep on the lookout for more

Listen:
Dead Sea - The Lumineers
Young Volcanoes - Fall Out Boy
Obvious Bicycle - Vampire Weekend.

bluberry

Lifestyle: Blueberry Banana Meal Smoothie!

June 03, 2013

I don't know about you, but summer is a motivation for me to eat clean! The warm sun is motivation for me to be more active, and beach weather makes me aspire to have a body that's beach ready. Eating clean has become a lifestyle for me, and it should be for you too! The key is to make it  a lifestyle though, not a routine.  Routine can ruin the wonder of everything. That's the key to it: don't just eat salads every day, switch it up with different recipes. Here's one that'll be sure to be a new favorite!

BLUEBERRY BANANA MEAL SMOOTHIE
When I wake up, especially on slow summer mornings, my favorite thing to do is run. This may come from going to cross country summer practices at 7 am three times a week in high school, or early track and cross country meets, but running first thing is the best way to wake you up. Way more effective than an iced coffee! The dew is fresh on the grass, and  the world is just waking up. You're also not tired from the rest of your day. You should feel great when you get back, because you already got a great work out in, and are on an endorphin rush that should leave you energized for the rest of the day.

How about a post-workout pick me up? I like to eat greek yogurt with bananas, however what if I blended them together for a meal-replacing smoothie? Genius!



Ingredients:
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup to 1 1/2 cup (or just a serving) of vanilla greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1/3 cup almond milk if needed

That's all you need! And guaranteed, it's going to be ten times more delicious than chocolate chip pancakes and bacon, I promise!



Hint: summer is the best season for blueberries! :)


How to:

It's simple enough, just put all of your ingredients in the blender and blend until it's at the consistency you'd like! I'd advise doing it first without the almond milk, then adding some if it needs to be loosened up. Tip: Crushed ice works best to avoid ice chunks!



Doesn't it looks delectable! It's the perfect post-work out treat. If you want to sit and enjoy, maybe top it off with some low-fat granola to add the illusion of a parfait. Enjoy it as you watch the Today Show or put it in a portable cup and take it with you on the go! It'll satisfy you until lunch. Eat clean!