It was okay for most of it, but I somehow mangled the evening.
Going to bed late, hoping tomorrow is better.
August 11, 2012
May 27, 2012
Everyday Makeup Look
I have been searching for a perfect everyday makeup look for a long time now, and I think I've finally found it! I've watched all kinds of makeup tutorials on YouTube and been to all sorts of beauty websites, looking for something that not only would I love, but it wouldn't be too makeup-heavy (because I don't like a lot of makeup on my face) and it would suit my skin tone (my skin tone is more tan and olive).
Here's how to get my perfect everyday makeup look!
Eyes
For the eyes, first apply the Sparkling Sage eye shadow over the lid once, creating a light coat. Make sure the color is evenly distributed across the lid. Add an extra layer of color along the crease. Then, use the Butter Pecan eye shadow (whichever color is closer to your natural skin tone) as a blending color, blending out the crease color with your natural skin tone. Apply the lighter of the two Butter Pecan shades just under your eyebrow to add a highlight and open up your eyes more.
Next, apply the Liquid Eye Pen to only your upper lash line. If desired, you can add a little wing to the end to enlarge your eyes. Finally, apply three coats of the High Impact Mascara on your upper lashes.
Swipe the Almost Lipstick across your lips fully as many times as desired (the more coats, the richer and darker the lip color). Rub your lips together to evenly distribute the color and wipe off any excess with a Kleenex or your fingers. If you want to give your lips some extra shimmer and dimension, add a very small amount of Clinique's Long Last Glosswear in Tenderheart and rub your lips together to evenly distribute the gloss. Note that this gloss is high impact, so even the littlest amount creates a highly noticeable shimmer.
Finally, finish off your look by brushing some blush on the apples of your cheeks. Less is more with this blush!
This has become my favorite makeup look lately, and I wear it everywhere. You can pair this with any foundation and primer you would like, but I'm not a big fan of either product, and I don't like the feeling of having makeup layered over my whole face, so I don't use either one. Try out this look and let me know what you think!
Here's how to get my perfect everyday makeup look!
Eyes
- Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen in Blackest Black
- Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Super Shimmer in Sparkling Sage
- Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Butter Pecan
- Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black
- Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
- (optional) Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Tenderheart
For the eyes, first apply the Sparkling Sage eye shadow over the lid once, creating a light coat. Make sure the color is evenly distributed across the lid. Add an extra layer of color along the crease. Then, use the Butter Pecan eye shadow (whichever color is closer to your natural skin tone) as a blending color, blending out the crease color with your natural skin tone. Apply the lighter of the two Butter Pecan shades just under your eyebrow to add a highlight and open up your eyes more.
Next, apply the Liquid Eye Pen to only your upper lash line. If desired, you can add a little wing to the end to enlarge your eyes. Finally, apply three coats of the High Impact Mascara on your upper lashes.
Swipe the Almost Lipstick across your lips fully as many times as desired (the more coats, the richer and darker the lip color). Rub your lips together to evenly distribute the color and wipe off any excess with a Kleenex or your fingers. If you want to give your lips some extra shimmer and dimension, add a very small amount of Clinique's Long Last Glosswear in Tenderheart and rub your lips together to evenly distribute the gloss. Note that this gloss is high impact, so even the littlest amount creates a highly noticeable shimmer.
Finally, finish off your look by brushing some blush on the apples of your cheeks. Less is more with this blush!
This has become my favorite makeup look lately, and I wear it everywhere. You can pair this with any foundation and primer you would like, but I'm not a big fan of either product, and I don't like the feeling of having makeup layered over my whole face, so I don't use either one. Try out this look and let me know what you think!
May 20, 2012
Self-Made
I was reading through Forbes today, and I came across a lot of posts about people who were investing in companies, start-ups, and basically building their own fortunes from the ground up. I realized that I've built a lot of what I would call my "career" or my "life" from the ground up, and I decided it would be a good idea to put together a post about what I've taken initiative on.
When I was in 6th grade, all the girls started to wear makeup. I was the only girl who didn't. First of all, my parents would never have let me; and secondly, I thought that if you wore makeup, it indicated that you weren't studious, and I didn't want to give the impression that I was a poor student. To this day, I don't wear makeup to class for those same reasons.
But I'm a girl, and most girls love makeup. We love how it feels to go from drab to fab, and we love the instant "prettiness factor" that it gives us. Being unable to get my makeup fix by wearing it to school, what was I to do?!
My mom bought her powder compacts at Macy's, and they would frequently have sales at the cosmetics counter where if you bought two compacts, you'd get a free gift bag of makeup samplers. One day, I decided to dig through these gift bags, which my mom usually just stashed in a drawer. My mom wasn't (and isn't) the kind of person who dumps layers of makeup on her face; she simply uses a layer of powder, a quick swipe of eyeliner on the lower lash line, and a little lipstick, and she's done.
I knew that if I didn't want to let my parents realize I'd been wearing makeup, I'd have to put it on right before showering so I could wash it off. The first day, I was terrified I'd get caught. I swiped some eye pencil under my eyes and attempted to put some lipstick on, but I looked downright scary. I looked like a vampire, and my lipstick was all over the place! After I showered, I had dark outlines around my eyes from the eyeliner, which refused to wash off easily. I kept my head down for the rest of the day and waited for it to rub off on its own.
I soon learned that liquid liner works much better if you want to wash it off without leaving any traces. But I had no idea how to apply makeup in general. I had a huge arsenal of eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, lip glosses, mascara, foundation, and blushes at my disposal, but I also had no skill whatsoever in using them.
I turned to the Internet for help. I have always been a resourceful gal, and this is where it really showed. I was determined to learn how to put on makeup, so I visited all kinds of sites to learn how. I watched innumerable hours of makeup tutorials from YouTubers like juicystar07 and allthatglitters21. I read posts on thebeautydepartment.com for endless hours. All in all, if I had to put together all the time I spent soaking up makeup skill, it would probably amount to a month's worth of time. I was determined to figure this out.
I decided to put my skills to the test on a day when I was alone at home. I knew I wouldn't get caught, so I could take my time in applying all kinds of makeup and learning how to use it. I used a sage-green eyeshadow, a white/cream eyeshadow, a skin-tone eyeshadow for blending the edges, a volumizing mascara, liquid liner, a sunset-colored blush, and put my skills to the test. By the end, I looked scary. I clearly hadn't learned it right.
I reconsidered the skills I thought I had in expertly applying makeup. I realized that I'd learned the theory, but it would just take good, old-fashioned experience to do it right, and do it well. Over the past year, I've applied makeup on countless days, still right before showering, and I've improved so much it's impressive. I no longer spend as much time on beauty tutorials and websites, but I still view them sometimes, when I've got a little free time. Makeup is my side passion.
Am I as good as the girls who do YouTube tutorials? No way. I still have lots to learn. I also don't have all the equipment at my disposal -- I don't have any brushes, no foundation, etc. I have limited time and limited supplies. But I'm doing the best I can.
I've turned myself from a hopeless case into something of a decent makeup-applier. I'm still learning along the way, but I've gotten much better. And in that, I'm proud to say, I'm 100% self-made, baby.
When I was in 6th grade, all the girls started to wear makeup. I was the only girl who didn't. First of all, my parents would never have let me; and secondly, I thought that if you wore makeup, it indicated that you weren't studious, and I didn't want to give the impression that I was a poor student. To this day, I don't wear makeup to class for those same reasons.
But I'm a girl, and most girls love makeup. We love how it feels to go from drab to fab, and we love the instant "prettiness factor" that it gives us. Being unable to get my makeup fix by wearing it to school, what was I to do?!
My mom bought her powder compacts at Macy's, and they would frequently have sales at the cosmetics counter where if you bought two compacts, you'd get a free gift bag of makeup samplers. One day, I decided to dig through these gift bags, which my mom usually just stashed in a drawer. My mom wasn't (and isn't) the kind of person who dumps layers of makeup on her face; she simply uses a layer of powder, a quick swipe of eyeliner on the lower lash line, and a little lipstick, and she's done.
I knew that if I didn't want to let my parents realize I'd been wearing makeup, I'd have to put it on right before showering so I could wash it off. The first day, I was terrified I'd get caught. I swiped some eye pencil under my eyes and attempted to put some lipstick on, but I looked downright scary. I looked like a vampire, and my lipstick was all over the place! After I showered, I had dark outlines around my eyes from the eyeliner, which refused to wash off easily. I kept my head down for the rest of the day and waited for it to rub off on its own.
I soon learned that liquid liner works much better if you want to wash it off without leaving any traces. But I had no idea how to apply makeup in general. I had a huge arsenal of eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, lip glosses, mascara, foundation, and blushes at my disposal, but I also had no skill whatsoever in using them.
I turned to the Internet for help. I have always been a resourceful gal, and this is where it really showed. I was determined to learn how to put on makeup, so I visited all kinds of sites to learn how. I watched innumerable hours of makeup tutorials from YouTubers like juicystar07 and allthatglitters21. I read posts on thebeautydepartment.com for endless hours. All in all, if I had to put together all the time I spent soaking up makeup skill, it would probably amount to a month's worth of time. I was determined to figure this out.
I decided to put my skills to the test on a day when I was alone at home. I knew I wouldn't get caught, so I could take my time in applying all kinds of makeup and learning how to use it. I used a sage-green eyeshadow, a white/cream eyeshadow, a skin-tone eyeshadow for blending the edges, a volumizing mascara, liquid liner, a sunset-colored blush, and put my skills to the test. By the end, I looked scary. I clearly hadn't learned it right.
I reconsidered the skills I thought I had in expertly applying makeup. I realized that I'd learned the theory, but it would just take good, old-fashioned experience to do it right, and do it well. Over the past year, I've applied makeup on countless days, still right before showering, and I've improved so much it's impressive. I no longer spend as much time on beauty tutorials and websites, but I still view them sometimes, when I've got a little free time. Makeup is my side passion.
Am I as good as the girls who do YouTube tutorials? No way. I still have lots to learn. I also don't have all the equipment at my disposal -- I don't have any brushes, no foundation, etc. I have limited time and limited supplies. But I'm doing the best I can.
I've turned myself from a hopeless case into something of a decent makeup-applier. I'm still learning along the way, but I've gotten much better. And in that, I'm proud to say, I'm 100% self-made, baby.
January 21, 2012
Beauty Bar: Eat Organic and Healthy!
Dolls! I have a fantastic Beauty Bar post for you guys today. It's all about eating organic.
We got into the organic craze about five years ago. I can safely say that since then, my skin and health have improved so much. My hair is shinier, my skin is glowier and looks more healthy, and I feel better than ever! I also don't get sick as often.
Organic foods are a bit more pricey, but they are so worth it because they save you trips to the doctor's. :) They taste better, and they're good for you and the environment!
I can guarantee you that switching to almost all organic foods (if it's impossible or just ridiculously expensive for a few things -- and I mean a FEW, like maybe 2 or 3 things in all) is the best investment you can make in your health. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself, and I don't regret it one single bit. I only feel bad that not everyone gets to enjoy the benefits of organic foods, and that some foods are a bit pricey and I can't buy them organic.
It is SO WORTH IT and you will definitely feel the glow and health of your body after switching! DO IT :) I can't tell you enough how beneficial, wonderful, and awesome it is.
Also, after I ditched ALL JUNK FOOD (sugar, white flour, etc.), my mood has been better, and I've been feeling more confident and happy than ever! You definitely have to eat super healthy, because I can't tell you how much of an improvement I've seen in my social skills, my happiness, my confidence, my skin, my health, everything! People compliment me all the time nowadays because I just look and feel so much better. I might do a whole post on this topic later, but I just wanted to throw that out there. I can't stress enough how important it is for your body and for your happiness to eat ridiculously healthily. ;)
Go organic and go healthy, girls! You won't regret it! xox
We got into the organic craze about five years ago. I can safely say that since then, my skin and health have improved so much. My hair is shinier, my skin is glowier and looks more healthy, and I feel better than ever! I also don't get sick as often.
Organic foods are a bit more pricey, but they are so worth it because they save you trips to the doctor's. :) They taste better, and they're good for you and the environment!
I can guarantee you that switching to almost all organic foods (if it's impossible or just ridiculously expensive for a few things -- and I mean a FEW, like maybe 2 or 3 things in all) is the best investment you can make in your health. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself, and I don't regret it one single bit. I only feel bad that not everyone gets to enjoy the benefits of organic foods, and that some foods are a bit pricey and I can't buy them organic.
It is SO WORTH IT and you will definitely feel the glow and health of your body after switching! DO IT :) I can't tell you enough how beneficial, wonderful, and awesome it is.
Also, after I ditched ALL JUNK FOOD (sugar, white flour, etc.), my mood has been better, and I've been feeling more confident and happy than ever! You definitely have to eat super healthy, because I can't tell you how much of an improvement I've seen in my social skills, my happiness, my confidence, my skin, my health, everything! People compliment me all the time nowadays because I just look and feel so much better. I might do a whole post on this topic later, but I just wanted to throw that out there. I can't stress enough how important it is for your body and for your happiness to eat ridiculously healthily. ;)
Go organic and go healthy, girls! You won't regret it! xox
November 15, 2011
Beauty Bar: Apples!
I cannot rave enough about how incredible apples are. They're not only my FAVORITE food in the whole entire world (aside from my guilty pleasure of pasta), but they are also so so good for you!
They help with weight loss, lower cholesterol, and cancer prevention, contain tons of antioxidants and vitamins, keep your bones strong, regulate your blood sugar, and help increase your metabolism. After all that...why wouldn't you eat an apple?!
My biggest tip is that you HAVE to pick up the habit of eating an apple a day at a scheduled time. For example, you can get into the routine of eating an apple as a healthy snack alternative when you return home from work, school, or sports.
This is internal beauty that will really reflect on the outside! If you're healthy and putting good foods into your body, it will definitely show in your skin glow and in your healthfulness. So go ahead and do a little good for your body and pick up an apple right now! xox
They help with weight loss, lower cholesterol, and cancer prevention, contain tons of antioxidants and vitamins, keep your bones strong, regulate your blood sugar, and help increase your metabolism. After all that...why wouldn't you eat an apple?!
My biggest tip is that you HAVE to pick up the habit of eating an apple a day at a scheduled time. For example, you can get into the routine of eating an apple as a healthy snack alternative when you return home from work, school, or sports.
This is internal beauty that will really reflect on the outside! If you're healthy and putting good foods into your body, it will definitely show in your skin glow and in your healthfulness. So go ahead and do a little good for your body and pick up an apple right now! xox
November 10, 2011
Obsessions: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show!
Welcome to the first installment of my brand-new series, Obsessions! I will be blogging about anything that I've been recently obsessed with, from entertainment to clothes to everything in between.
As you probably know, the VS Fashion Show taped yesterday at Lexington Ave. Armory in NYC! It looked absolutely amazing and all the models were so gorgeous. VS is a huge obsession of mine because the Angels are stunning and promote healthy living. They're not stick thin like other models, and they're wonderful, real girls inside and out.
The clothing was out-of-this-world fantastic! It was so magical and unreal, and I am so excited to see the whole show on November 29th.
In the meanwhile, I've been keeping up by watching videos on their Youtube page! xoxo
As you probably know, the VS Fashion Show taped yesterday at Lexington Ave. Armory in NYC! It looked absolutely amazing and all the models were so gorgeous. VS is a huge obsession of mine because the Angels are stunning and promote healthy living. They're not stick thin like other models, and they're wonderful, real girls inside and out.
The clothing was out-of-this-world fantastic! It was so magical and unreal, and I am so excited to see the whole show on November 29th.
In the meanwhile, I've been keeping up by watching videos on their Youtube page! xoxo
November 6, 2011
Beauty Bar: Shredded Carrots
This is my first-ever Beauty Bar post, and I am so excited to kick it off! Well...I have a fantastic secret to share with you all.
I am absolutely obsessed with Bunny-Luv Organic Shredded Carrots! They are so delicious and pre-washed. The best way to prepare these, in my opinion, is just to lightly salt them before eating. Whenever I'm hungry, I always turn to these because they're a healthy and tasty snack.
I ate a lot of carrots when I was younger (to the point that the undersides of my feet are actually a bit yellow from all that beta carotene!), and I have always loved carrots as one of my favorite vegetables. I think that these shredded carrot bags are a perfect way to get your daily carrot and to have a healthy snack you can eat on the go. They are reasonably priced for being organic.
Carrots are nutritionally sound -- plenty of Vitamin A, fiber, potassium, calcium, and anti-aging and disease-fighting nutrients. The only thing I would warn you about is this -- raw carrots are better for you than cooked ones, because raw carrots don't have as high of a glycemic index (in other words, it's better to eat raw carrots to keep your blood sugar regulated).
They're so good for you and keep you beautiful and healthy on the inside! I think (personally) that carrots also give you a really healthy glow because of all the yummy nutrients in your body. :)
Do you guys like carrots?
I am absolutely obsessed with Bunny-Luv Organic Shredded Carrots! They are so delicious and pre-washed. The best way to prepare these, in my opinion, is just to lightly salt them before eating. Whenever I'm hungry, I always turn to these because they're a healthy and tasty snack.
I ate a lot of carrots when I was younger (to the point that the undersides of my feet are actually a bit yellow from all that beta carotene!), and I have always loved carrots as one of my favorite vegetables. I think that these shredded carrot bags are a perfect way to get your daily carrot and to have a healthy snack you can eat on the go. They are reasonably priced for being organic.
Carrots are nutritionally sound -- plenty of Vitamin A, fiber, potassium, calcium, and anti-aging and disease-fighting nutrients. The only thing I would warn you about is this -- raw carrots are better for you than cooked ones, because raw carrots don't have as high of a glycemic index (in other words, it's better to eat raw carrots to keep your blood sugar regulated).
They're so good for you and keep you beautiful and healthy on the inside! I think (personally) that carrots also give you a really healthy glow because of all the yummy nutrients in your body. :)
Do you guys like carrots?
October 8, 2011
Workout Hiatus!
Hey dolls!
I used to be obsessed with working out, but I haven't done it in over a month! With school starting and all the hectic days, my exercise really got pushed to the side, and I am feeling fat and unhealthy. I really don't like it, and I want to get back into working out again! I'm really out of shape.
So today I did some simple get-your-heart-rate-up exercises -- just 100 jumps on an imaginary jump rope, 100 butt kicks, 100 high knees. Just to kind of get myself back into that vibe a little bit.
I'm really looking forward to getting my butt back on the treadmill :) I have seen a ton of weight gain on my body since I've been away from it, and I want to go back now!!! But I've just eaten dinner, and I can't do that, haha.
Also! I am so sorry for neglecting my blog. Again, like I said before, getting into school and having homework and tests and all that stuff has pushed all the important things in my life to the side. I really need to learn how to balance out everything.
I have become recently obsessed with Victoria's Secret! The Angels are absolutely incredible. I have spent countless hours on vsallaccess.com (the blog) and youtube.com/user/victoriassecret. These girls are beautiful, fit, healthy, sexy, and so inspiring to me as role models. I love them to DEATH! I would 1 million percent recommend watching their videos and learning from them and being inspired by them.
Anyway...that's all that's new with me :) I am getting back into my healthy self...eczema is getting better (woo hoo!), winter is coming (double yay! that means cozy sweaters and knits), and I am starting to drink more water again (starting with right now, haha...I have a 1L bottle right in front of me, waiting to be sucked up into my little body :) - well, not so little because of my lazy butt!).
Hope you're all doing well - miss you & love you all - leave me a note, lovelies!
xoxox b
I used to be obsessed with working out, but I haven't done it in over a month! With school starting and all the hectic days, my exercise really got pushed to the side, and I am feeling fat and unhealthy. I really don't like it, and I want to get back into working out again! I'm really out of shape.
So today I did some simple get-your-heart-rate-up exercises -- just 100 jumps on an imaginary jump rope, 100 butt kicks, 100 high knees. Just to kind of get myself back into that vibe a little bit.
I'm really looking forward to getting my butt back on the treadmill :) I have seen a ton of weight gain on my body since I've been away from it, and I want to go back now!!! But I've just eaten dinner, and I can't do that, haha.
Also! I am so sorry for neglecting my blog. Again, like I said before, getting into school and having homework and tests and all that stuff has pushed all the important things in my life to the side. I really need to learn how to balance out everything.
I have become recently obsessed with Victoria's Secret! The Angels are absolutely incredible. I have spent countless hours on vsallaccess.com (the blog) and youtube.com/user/victoriassecret. These girls are beautiful, fit, healthy, sexy, and so inspiring to me as role models. I love them to DEATH! I would 1 million percent recommend watching their videos and learning from them and being inspired by them.
Anyway...that's all that's new with me :) I am getting back into my healthy self...eczema is getting better (woo hoo!), winter is coming (double yay! that means cozy sweaters and knits), and I am starting to drink more water again (starting with right now, haha...I have a 1L bottle right in front of me, waiting to be sucked up into my little body :) - well, not so little because of my lazy butt!).
Hope you're all doing well - miss you & love you all - leave me a note, lovelies!
xoxox b
August 24, 2011
Discounted Forever 21 Sweater
Hey girls,
The Colored Dots Crochet Sweater that I mentioned in my Summer Fashion roundup is on sale at Forever21.com! It was originally $32.80, which is why I cautioned against buying it in my post unless you thought it was an absolute must-have, but on the website, the sweater is now highly discounted to an affordable $22.99. Of course, that's still not completely reasonable, but if you absolutely adore the sweater and think you HAVE to have it, then this is a great steal :)
Just thought I would let you guys know. I was perusing the site and found this little tidbit!
xoxo
The Colored Dots Crochet Sweater that I mentioned in my Summer Fashion roundup is on sale at Forever21.com! It was originally $32.80, which is why I cautioned against buying it in my post unless you thought it was an absolute must-have, but on the website, the sweater is now highly discounted to an affordable $22.99. Of course, that's still not completely reasonable, but if you absolutely adore the sweater and think you HAVE to have it, then this is a great steal :)
Just thought I would let you guys know. I was perusing the site and found this little tidbit!
xoxo
August 23, 2011
Workout Journal #14
Helloooo everybody!!!
I just worked out! Actually, I am still sweaty and gross typing this, so that's how recent my workout was. :) It ended just maybe like 5 - 10 minutes ago.
I wanted to change up my workout and do a really big "marathon" kind of workout today, because I didn't work out for a whole week because of my vacay. I also ate a ton of junk during my trip -- a ton of cream cheese (no idea if it was full or low fat), white bagels every morning, white bread most days, white pasta every day (sometimes twice a day), and often a little pastry/muffin type thing in the morning along with my breakfast. So I knew I really needed to work super hard to get all of that off, although miraculously I didn't add too many pounds to my pre-trip weight.
I went with Blair Fowler's workout (the one she has talked about extensively that she did recently). If you're unfamiliar with it, basically you walk for 3 minutes, run for 3 minutes. You do this as long as you want -- she did it until she couldn't go any longer. I did it for an hour. It felt soooooo goood!!!!!!
3.47 miles, 354 fat calories burned, 567 calories burned.
IT. WAS. AWESOME. :) Then after I finished, I just did one minute of wall-sitting and 100 crunches. I am already slimmer! I feel amazing!
Adios!
xoxox
I just worked out! Actually, I am still sweaty and gross typing this, so that's how recent my workout was. :) It ended just maybe like 5 - 10 minutes ago.
I wanted to change up my workout and do a really big "marathon" kind of workout today, because I didn't work out for a whole week because of my vacay. I also ate a ton of junk during my trip -- a ton of cream cheese (no idea if it was full or low fat), white bagels every morning, white bread most days, white pasta every day (sometimes twice a day), and often a little pastry/muffin type thing in the morning along with my breakfast. So I knew I really needed to work super hard to get all of that off, although miraculously I didn't add too many pounds to my pre-trip weight.
I went with Blair Fowler's workout (the one she has talked about extensively that she did recently). If you're unfamiliar with it, basically you walk for 3 minutes, run for 3 minutes. You do this as long as you want -- she did it until she couldn't go any longer. I did it for an hour. It felt soooooo goood!!!!!!
3.47 miles, 354 fat calories burned, 567 calories burned.
IT. WAS. AWESOME. :) Then after I finished, I just did one minute of wall-sitting and 100 crunches. I am already slimmer! I feel amazing!
Adios!
xoxox
Talking About My Diet
Hey guys!
So I'm back from vacation...I went to Cancun, Mexico, for a week, and it was absolutely GORGEOUS. It was hot and sunny most of the time except for 2 days near the end (second to last and third to last days). The third-to-last day was really rainy and windy so we couldn't do much but thankfully we had finished the last of our excursions that morning when it was still humid/hot but just cloudy. When we got back to our hotel all hell broke loose and it was just pouring and so windy that we just hung out in the hotel for the rest of the day. The second-to-last day wasn't as bad -- it was cloudy but not so rainy-windy. It rained on and off for several hours of the afternoon/evening, and we were able to take a little walk down the street to a big mall in the evening right before dinner, which was fun. It was our last evening in Cancun and we did a little window shopping (we didn't buy anything, most of the shops were designer stuff like Gucci and Hugo Boss).
Anyway! I thought I would do a welcome-back post about my diet. I get a lot of questions about this in real life because people are shocked at how limited my diet is, hahaha. However I'm still very healthy! I'm about 5'3", and I weigh around 118 - 120 pounds, depending on whether I've eaten or not. Today after lunch I weighed myself and I was 119.6, which is pretty much what I weighed before I left for vacation, give or take a few tenths of a pound. That was really exciting for me :) Of course it was because I basically maintained my diet throughout the vacation and still had a ton of fun.
I am a vegetarian (oops...I typed vagatarian before this -- nope, that's nowhere near right, LOL!) so I don't eat ANY meat -- no seafood, no chicken, no cattle...NOTHING. I also don't eat sugar at all. I am totally cold turkey on this. I had a major sweet tooth growing up, so I gained a lot of weight from all that sugar when I hit puberty. Now, I realize how bad sugar is for me, and also sweets don't taste good to me anymore (they make me feel like vomiting if I eat them), so I actually don't eat any sweets at all. I tried a Cinnabon cinnamon roll when we were in the airport on the way to Cancun (because I needed breakfast and couldn't find anything else...I had a choice between hash brown potatoes or a cinnamon roll, and I HATE fried food, it's so disgusting), and about halfway through I just wanted to throw up. I could barely finish it, I made my mom finish the rest for me, and I just had a queasy stomach the rest of the time until I had lunch at the hotel. I also tried a doughnut in May when someone brought some to school for a little party, and I literally just wanted to vomit after eating it. I was so nauseous and just wanted to gag. So NO sugar for me, haha.
I also have eczema. This has been a blessing and a curse. Blessing because it taught me humility and to be grateful for everything I have, and I have a unique perspective on life that most others don't have - I therefore had a different childhood and got to spend a lot of time nurturing my brain instead of my body, haha. It also increased my tolerance for pain. Curse because it looks bad and I can't wear a lot of clothes like tees and shorts and short skirts, and it just is uncomfortable, and, well...it's not fun. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it's a skin disease. People with eczema are missing one skin barrier that blocks out a lot of toxins and pollutants in the environment from entering your bloodstream, so you get a lot of toxins in your blood. This aggravates the skin and makes it itchy, so naturally you would itch. I think the best way to explain the itch is by saying that it's like a poison ivy itch. I've never had poison ivy so I don't know if it's the exact same but just from hearing people talk about it, I think it's basically the same sensation. You cannot resist the itch, it's SO strong. Also, people with eczema are allergic to some foods. The allergens that cause the itch can be food, fabrics, or just things in the environment around you. I am allergic to all nuts, artificial flavors, eggplant, and raw eggs. I am also allergic to foods that are rich in protein, because too much protein aggravates my eczema. I am also taking a medication for eczema that requires that I don't eat bell peppers, cilantro, or sugar. Therefore, my diet gets really limited. (Oh, and pancakes make my stomach hurt. So those are also out of the question.)
However, I really get to eat very healthy because of my restrictions...and I LOVE IT! My idea of an afternoon munch snack is chopped carrots (lightly salted) or dates or raisins. Sometimes if I'm REALLY hungry I will even reach for the cereal and have breakfast in the afternoon (because often I wake up really late and have my lunch as my breakfast). I also love fruits. ADORE them, actually. I will eat almost any fruit (except some I haven't tried or don't like: kiwi, grapefruit, jackfruit, pineapple, papaya). I think I make my parents spend so much money on fruits just because I will max out all the fruits in the house. I eat up to six nectarines a day when they're in stock at our house, that's how much I love them. I eat tons of blueberries (so good, they're amazing for eczema too because they have antioxidants that clean out your blood!), apples, oranges, cherries, peaches, nectarines, bananas, pears...I LOVE all of these fruits, couldn't live without them, and live for them, basically. I also eat ONLY organic food and whole wheat bread and all that, because that is really important to me. I want to put only the best of everything into my body to keep my body running and as healthy as possible.
My family eats a lot of rice. They eat white rice, but when I realized how bad white rice is for your health I started to eat only brown rice. However, that started to aggravate my eczema (I think, I'm still navigating this one), because my eczema started worsening once I started eating brown rice. So I'm back on white rice -- I just hope I can balance it out by working out a lot, which I'm really making an effort to do.
So that's my diet! I really do try to stay healthy and put only good things into my body, and I hope I can succeed in that. If you have any questions about what I eat or my health routine, etc, please feel free to leave me a comment. I would LOVE to answer! :)
xoxox
So I'm back from vacation...I went to Cancun, Mexico, for a week, and it was absolutely GORGEOUS. It was hot and sunny most of the time except for 2 days near the end (second to last and third to last days). The third-to-last day was really rainy and windy so we couldn't do much but thankfully we had finished the last of our excursions that morning when it was still humid/hot but just cloudy. When we got back to our hotel all hell broke loose and it was just pouring and so windy that we just hung out in the hotel for the rest of the day. The second-to-last day wasn't as bad -- it was cloudy but not so rainy-windy. It rained on and off for several hours of the afternoon/evening, and we were able to take a little walk down the street to a big mall in the evening right before dinner, which was fun. It was our last evening in Cancun and we did a little window shopping (we didn't buy anything, most of the shops were designer stuff like Gucci and Hugo Boss).
Anyway! I thought I would do a welcome-back post about my diet. I get a lot of questions about this in real life because people are shocked at how limited my diet is, hahaha. However I'm still very healthy! I'm about 5'3", and I weigh around 118 - 120 pounds, depending on whether I've eaten or not. Today after lunch I weighed myself and I was 119.6, which is pretty much what I weighed before I left for vacation, give or take a few tenths of a pound. That was really exciting for me :) Of course it was because I basically maintained my diet throughout the vacation and still had a ton of fun.
I am a vegetarian (oops...I typed vagatarian before this -- nope, that's nowhere near right, LOL!) so I don't eat ANY meat -- no seafood, no chicken, no cattle...NOTHING. I also don't eat sugar at all. I am totally cold turkey on this. I had a major sweet tooth growing up, so I gained a lot of weight from all that sugar when I hit puberty. Now, I realize how bad sugar is for me, and also sweets don't taste good to me anymore (they make me feel like vomiting if I eat them), so I actually don't eat any sweets at all. I tried a Cinnabon cinnamon roll when we were in the airport on the way to Cancun (because I needed breakfast and couldn't find anything else...I had a choice between hash brown potatoes or a cinnamon roll, and I HATE fried food, it's so disgusting), and about halfway through I just wanted to throw up. I could barely finish it, I made my mom finish the rest for me, and I just had a queasy stomach the rest of the time until I had lunch at the hotel. I also tried a doughnut in May when someone brought some to school for a little party, and I literally just wanted to vomit after eating it. I was so nauseous and just wanted to gag. So NO sugar for me, haha.
I also have eczema. This has been a blessing and a curse. Blessing because it taught me humility and to be grateful for everything I have, and I have a unique perspective on life that most others don't have - I therefore had a different childhood and got to spend a lot of time nurturing my brain instead of my body, haha. It also increased my tolerance for pain. Curse because it looks bad and I can't wear a lot of clothes like tees and shorts and short skirts, and it just is uncomfortable, and, well...it's not fun. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it's a skin disease. People with eczema are missing one skin barrier that blocks out a lot of toxins and pollutants in the environment from entering your bloodstream, so you get a lot of toxins in your blood. This aggravates the skin and makes it itchy, so naturally you would itch. I think the best way to explain the itch is by saying that it's like a poison ivy itch. I've never had poison ivy so I don't know if it's the exact same but just from hearing people talk about it, I think it's basically the same sensation. You cannot resist the itch, it's SO strong. Also, people with eczema are allergic to some foods. The allergens that cause the itch can be food, fabrics, or just things in the environment around you. I am allergic to all nuts, artificial flavors, eggplant, and raw eggs. I am also allergic to foods that are rich in protein, because too much protein aggravates my eczema. I am also taking a medication for eczema that requires that I don't eat bell peppers, cilantro, or sugar. Therefore, my diet gets really limited. (Oh, and pancakes make my stomach hurt. So those are also out of the question.)
However, I really get to eat very healthy because of my restrictions...and I LOVE IT! My idea of an afternoon munch snack is chopped carrots (lightly salted) or dates or raisins. Sometimes if I'm REALLY hungry I will even reach for the cereal and have breakfast in the afternoon (because often I wake up really late and have my lunch as my breakfast). I also love fruits. ADORE them, actually. I will eat almost any fruit (except some I haven't tried or don't like: kiwi, grapefruit, jackfruit, pineapple, papaya). I think I make my parents spend so much money on fruits just because I will max out all the fruits in the house. I eat up to six nectarines a day when they're in stock at our house, that's how much I love them. I eat tons of blueberries (so good, they're amazing for eczema too because they have antioxidants that clean out your blood!), apples, oranges, cherries, peaches, nectarines, bananas, pears...I LOVE all of these fruits, couldn't live without them, and live for them, basically. I also eat ONLY organic food and whole wheat bread and all that, because that is really important to me. I want to put only the best of everything into my body to keep my body running and as healthy as possible.
My family eats a lot of rice. They eat white rice, but when I realized how bad white rice is for your health I started to eat only brown rice. However, that started to aggravate my eczema (I think, I'm still navigating this one), because my eczema started worsening once I started eating brown rice. So I'm back on white rice -- I just hope I can balance it out by working out a lot, which I'm really making an effort to do.
So that's my diet! I really do try to stay healthy and put only good things into my body, and I hope I can succeed in that. If you have any questions about what I eat or my health routine, etc, please feel free to leave me a comment. I would LOVE to answer! :)
xoxox
August 12, 2011
Shopping Haul + Workout Journals #12 and #13 + Packing!
OH my gosh, you guys. There has been SO MUCH stuff going on in my life these past couple of days and I've been BURSTING with excitement to tell you and I just haven't gotten the time to like sit down and type it all out cause it's SOOOO much. :)
Okay! So first we went to Ross Dress for Less, and you guys are probably like, Seriously, Brittany? ROSS? But yeah, we went, 'cause my sister had found some good stuff there before. But nope...we didn't find anything good this time around. Can I just say that Ross dressing rooms are SO small?!? And then Ulta! Ulta had just opened up on Sunday in my town, about five minutes from my house. I didn't know it had opened already; I thought it was going to open later this summer. But it's OPEN!
My mom and sister were so flabbergasted by the amazing lineup of beauty products they had! And the amazing prices! :) It's like our new fave store, haha. They had an opening sale, so my mom bought some waxing stuff and a curl-holding cream, and we took advantage of their incredible OPI deal and bought 2 OPI polishes (Meet Me on the Starferry and Lincoln Park After Midnight) plus a top coat, which was free because of the buy 2 for the price of 3 deal they had. :)
We went to Sears, too - I got 4 bras, another swimsuit (albeit cheaper, haha), a really pretty purple coverup, and a SUPER CHEAP white skirt that was 4 dollars. FOUR DOLLARS, you guys. Oh my gosh. WHAT a steal.
I also had my hair did last Thursday :) I just scrolled through my posts and totally forgot to tell you how well it went! The girl who did my hair is my fave hairstylist, so of COURSE she did an amazing job! It's a chest-length cut, with long and gorgeous layers in the front. So from the back it's kind of like a U-shaped line.
We went to Marshalls, which is right next to Sears - we were trying to find like t-shirts and swimsuits and all that, and we didn't really find anything, unfortch. But Marshalls dressing rooms are SO small that it should be illegal. We could like barely stand in them. Oh my gosh.
Finally, to cap off our huge spending spree, we went to Macys! I picked up a sweet blue chambray button-down collared top - long-sleeved. It's so adorable and a perfect winter piece! I got it at around $20 and it was absolutely the best. I can't wait to wear it this fall/winter!
I also worked out twice on the treadmill - both times, I made sure to burn 200 fat calories, and I did my post-cardio variety exercises. Altogether it was about 45 minutes per workout. I am so excited about getting in shape! We are actually planning to work out at the hotel we're staying at for our vacay next week.
We are in the middle of packing! We leave Sunday night, so it's all super crazy right now, hahaha :) But it's a good kinda crazy! I'm making sure to get lots of rest and stay in tip-top shape mentally and physically, to keep healthy. I'm drinking lots of water and getting lots of sleep! That's why they call it beauty rest!
So that, you guys, is actually the low down. ;) I just wiped off the old polish from my toenails and am ready to start afresh with my OPI polishes! Tomorrow once I wash my feet I'll do just that.
I've got to go get some sleep! It's 10 pm! I love you guys so much :) I will try to blog before we leave but I don't know if that's a guarantee...I'll def try to say something like "leaving now!" ... or something along those lines.
Off to catch some zzzz's and wake up feeling beautiful! x
Okay! So first we went to Ross Dress for Less, and you guys are probably like, Seriously, Brittany? ROSS? But yeah, we went, 'cause my sister had found some good stuff there before. But nope...we didn't find anything good this time around. Can I just say that Ross dressing rooms are SO small?!? And then Ulta! Ulta had just opened up on Sunday in my town, about five minutes from my house. I didn't know it had opened already; I thought it was going to open later this summer. But it's OPEN!
My mom and sister were so flabbergasted by the amazing lineup of beauty products they had! And the amazing prices! :) It's like our new fave store, haha. They had an opening sale, so my mom bought some waxing stuff and a curl-holding cream, and we took advantage of their incredible OPI deal and bought 2 OPI polishes (Meet Me on the Starferry and Lincoln Park After Midnight) plus a top coat, which was free because of the buy 2 for the price of 3 deal they had. :)
We went to Sears, too - I got 4 bras, another swimsuit (albeit cheaper, haha), a really pretty purple coverup, and a SUPER CHEAP white skirt that was 4 dollars. FOUR DOLLARS, you guys. Oh my gosh. WHAT a steal.
I also had my hair did last Thursday :) I just scrolled through my posts and totally forgot to tell you how well it went! The girl who did my hair is my fave hairstylist, so of COURSE she did an amazing job! It's a chest-length cut, with long and gorgeous layers in the front. So from the back it's kind of like a U-shaped line.
We went to Marshalls, which is right next to Sears - we were trying to find like t-shirts and swimsuits and all that, and we didn't really find anything, unfortch. But Marshalls dressing rooms are SO small that it should be illegal. We could like barely stand in them. Oh my gosh.
Finally, to cap off our huge spending spree, we went to Macys! I picked up a sweet blue chambray button-down collared top - long-sleeved. It's so adorable and a perfect winter piece! I got it at around $20 and it was absolutely the best. I can't wait to wear it this fall/winter!
I also worked out twice on the treadmill - both times, I made sure to burn 200 fat calories, and I did my post-cardio variety exercises. Altogether it was about 45 minutes per workout. I am so excited about getting in shape! We are actually planning to work out at the hotel we're staying at for our vacay next week.
We are in the middle of packing! We leave Sunday night, so it's all super crazy right now, hahaha :) But it's a good kinda crazy! I'm making sure to get lots of rest and stay in tip-top shape mentally and physically, to keep healthy. I'm drinking lots of water and getting lots of sleep! That's why they call it beauty rest!
So that, you guys, is actually the low down. ;) I just wiped off the old polish from my toenails and am ready to start afresh with my OPI polishes! Tomorrow once I wash my feet I'll do just that.
I've got to go get some sleep! It's 10 pm! I love you guys so much :) I will try to blog before we leave but I don't know if that's a guarantee...I'll def try to say something like "leaving now!" ... or something along those lines.
Off to catch some zzzz's and wake up feeling beautiful! x
August 7, 2011
Hollywood's Best-Kept Beauty Secret!
Hey girls!
I'll bet you want to know the secret to beautiful, radiant, youthful, glowy skin. Well, here it is!
You're always wondering why celebrities have such gorgeous skin. It's because...they drink a lot of water. That's the best beauty secret ever. If you don't get enough H20, your skin doesn't have that glow and shine to it, and it looks listless and limp. Drink water and maintain your youthful and radiant skin! Also, water helps clear up acne and zits and makes you just shine!
So DO IT! Drink enough water every day and watch in amazement as your skin clears up :)
xo b
I'll bet you want to know the secret to beautiful, radiant, youthful, glowy skin. Well, here it is!
You're always wondering why celebrities have such gorgeous skin. It's because...they drink a lot of water. That's the best beauty secret ever. If you don't get enough H20, your skin doesn't have that glow and shine to it, and it looks listless and limp. Drink water and maintain your youthful and radiant skin! Also, water helps clear up acne and zits and makes you just shine!
So DO IT! Drink enough water every day and watch in amazement as your skin clears up :)
xo b
Workout Journal #11
Hey dolls!
Yesterday I worked out for 45 minutes :) I worked out on the treadmill: 5 mins warm up, 20 mins sprinting, 15 mins cooling down. I burned 200 fat calories yesterday, and the day before I did 177. So I've done 377 fat calories so far! Pretty sweet! I have seen such amazing results already; my stomach has already thinned but unless I keep it up it won't stay that way.
After working out on the treadmill, I did about 10 minutes of crunches, jumping jacks, bridge, plank, just little things like that. 1 min plank, 100 crunches, 100 jumping jacks, stretching, touching my toes, bridging, and stretching my obliques!
Such fun! Hope you guys are having a great summer!
x
Yesterday I worked out for 45 minutes :) I worked out on the treadmill: 5 mins warm up, 20 mins sprinting, 15 mins cooling down. I burned 200 fat calories yesterday, and the day before I did 177. So I've done 377 fat calories so far! Pretty sweet! I have seen such amazing results already; my stomach has already thinned but unless I keep it up it won't stay that way.
After working out on the treadmill, I did about 10 minutes of crunches, jumping jacks, bridge, plank, just little things like that. 1 min plank, 100 crunches, 100 jumping jacks, stretching, touching my toes, bridging, and stretching my obliques!
Such fun! Hope you guys are having a great summer!
x
August 4, 2011
Another Latest Obsession...
I am so addicted to Clorox Disinfecting Wipes! I use them to de-germ my workspace and my bathroom, the latter 2x a day. I NEED a germ-free environment, LOL! It just makes me feel better knowing that my place is cleaner.
Thought I'd share, as I definitely can't live without these wipes!
xo - love you all! Leave a note!
Thought I'd share, as I definitely can't live without these wipes!
xo - love you all! Leave a note!
Gettin' my hair did!
You guys, I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am! I'm getting my hair cut/styled tomorrow!
So I can't decide: Short or Long Layers?
Help a girl out here! xox
So I can't decide: Short or Long Layers?
Help a girl out here! xox
My Latest Obsession
You guys...
I am totally addicted to Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I have been watching it NONSTOP, seriously, and I just can't get enough of these girls! I am officially a Kardashian fan!
You guys HAVE to watch it. It's so addictive and so good! I hope you guys will fall in love with the girls just like I did :)
xo
I am totally addicted to Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I have been watching it NONSTOP, seriously, and I just can't get enough of these girls! I am officially a Kardashian fan!
You guys HAVE to watch it. It's so addictive and so good! I hope you guys will fall in love with the girls just like I did :)
xo
Workout Journal #10
Hey everybody!
I worked out today and it was UH-MAZING!!! I did a half hour on the treadmill - 5 minutes warming up, 20 minutes running, 5 minutes cooling down. It was so fun!
Then I did about ten minutes of variety exercises. I did 100 crunches, 100 jumping jacks, held a plank for about a minute, held a bridge for a while just to stretch out my back, stretched my obliques, did wall-sits twice for 20 - 30 seconds each time, and stretched out my back and legs by doing the butterfly and bending over to touch my toes.
The workout was so fab! I felt incredible! I'm still riding a post-workout high, even though it's been like an hour and forty-five minutes since I finished.
I love these workouts! :)
much love, dolls! xo
I worked out today and it was UH-MAZING!!! I did a half hour on the treadmill - 5 minutes warming up, 20 minutes running, 5 minutes cooling down. It was so fun!
Then I did about ten minutes of variety exercises. I did 100 crunches, 100 jumping jacks, held a plank for about a minute, held a bridge for a while just to stretch out my back, stretched my obliques, did wall-sits twice for 20 - 30 seconds each time, and stretched out my back and legs by doing the butterfly and bending over to touch my toes.
The workout was so fab! I felt incredible! I'm still riding a post-workout high, even though it's been like an hour and forty-five minutes since I finished.
I love these workouts! :)
much love, dolls! xo
July 30, 2011
Workout Journal #9 + Post Request Day, y'all!
Oh my gosh, you guys, HI! I haven't been on here in a week! It feels like FOREVER!
Well...I worked out today :) It was so much fun! My sister, my dad, and I went biking along a beautiful trail near our house. We went for about an hour and a half, and it was really hot today so it was a good workout! I was exhausted by the end!
I haven't been shopping since my last check-in about a week ago...my mom isn't feeling too well right now so I'm crossing my fingers she gets better! We'll be shopping around after she recovers.
Thanks, guys, for being patient with me! I'm so sorry for not posting! Send my blog link along to your female friends + family and I PROMISE I will keep posting...
If you have any tutorials, requests, anything you want me to do, just leave me a comment on THIS post letting me know what you'd like to see. I would love to talk to you guys!
much love...xoxox
Well...I worked out today :) It was so much fun! My sister, my dad, and I went biking along a beautiful trail near our house. We went for about an hour and a half, and it was really hot today so it was a good workout! I was exhausted by the end!
I haven't been shopping since my last check-in about a week ago...my mom isn't feeling too well right now so I'm crossing my fingers she gets better! We'll be shopping around after she recovers.
Thanks, guys, for being patient with me! I'm so sorry for not posting! Send my blog link along to your female friends + family and I PROMISE I will keep posting...
If you have any tutorials, requests, anything you want me to do, just leave me a comment on THIS post letting me know what you'd like to see. I would love to talk to you guys!
much love...xoxox
July 24, 2011
Shopping today at Kohl's and Target
Hello ladies!
So I went shopping today at Kohl's and Target, but I was pretty unsuccessful, sadly. A lot of the Candie's stuff at Kohl's looked amazing and so cute, but I didn't have time to stop by and check because we arrived there an hour before closing (my mom was really busy earlier today, so we went really late). I had to check out swimwear and I got two sports bras and I was trying to figure out my bra size and all...so that took up time.
I didn't get anything at Target. What a bummer. :(
Anyway...just wanted to let yall know. I would love to talk to you guys! Please leave comments if you stop by! I would love to know what you think - what kinds of posts you want, if you like the layout, even if you hate me just leave a comment....anything (hateful or supportive or anything in between) is welcome!
I'll keep bloggin' -
xoxox
So I went shopping today at Kohl's and Target, but I was pretty unsuccessful, sadly. A lot of the Candie's stuff at Kohl's looked amazing and so cute, but I didn't have time to stop by and check because we arrived there an hour before closing (my mom was really busy earlier today, so we went really late). I had to check out swimwear and I got two sports bras and I was trying to figure out my bra size and all...so that took up time.
I didn't get anything at Target. What a bummer. :(
Anyway...just wanted to let yall know. I would love to talk to you guys! Please leave comments if you stop by! I would love to know what you think - what kinds of posts you want, if you like the layout, even if you hate me just leave a comment....anything (hateful or supportive or anything in between) is welcome!
I'll keep bloggin' -
xoxox
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