Archives for April 2018

MONDAY MOTIVATION + SELF-CARE TIPS

Good morning, friends and happy Monday! How was your weekend? I hope it was full of laughter, good food and great weather (it was beautiful here…FINALLY); however, if your weekend was less than stellar, I’m here to tell you that today will be better! I know it’s Monday and for all intents and purposes, Mondays stink…but they don’t have to! Look at today as a new beginning. A fresh start. Write down your goals for the week and refer back to them when you need a little pick-me-up. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you feel like your to-do list is never-ending; but if you take things a task at a time, a day at a time, you’ll be less stressed and more productive! I promise. <3

In addition to taking things a task at a time, I find that staying motivated to face another week comes easier when I incorporate some sort of self-care into my weekend routine. Self-care Sundays as I like to call them, are a great way to relax and recharge my batteries so that I’m ready to tackle the new week ahead. After talking to a few of my girlfriends recently, I realized that self-care, while important, is hard for some to put into practice. I found that many of the ladies in my life have no idea where to start when it comes to caring for themselves and well, that makes me sad. I think as women we have the propensity to put ourselves last and nurture those around us without giving our needs any attention. For the longest time, this was me. I never ACTIVELY tried to relax and recharge my batteries, I poured everything I had into the people around me; and while I still do this, I’ve also learned the importance of paying attention to my own needs as well. There’s no RIGHT way to self-care, but I thought I’d share some of the things I do on a weekly basis to get in some “ME” time!

I try to always dedicate a MINIMUM of a couple hours every week to practicing self-care; if I’m having a particularly hard week, I try to step away for an hour every day where I feel like a little extra “me” time would be beneficial. I’m a big proponent of bubble baths and mani/pedis, so those are two things I try to incorporate every week (usually on Sunday)! If you begin to feel like you need more, call your girlfriends and set up a girls night for an upcoming weekend ASAP. Make sure, no matter what you do, you laugh your tail off. Seriously, this is important. There will definitely be days/weeks when you feel more grounded and on top of things in regards to your self-care and goals in general, but as long as you’re trying, everything will be just fine! Below I’ve put together a list of things that you can do to feed your soul with what it needs! Obviously, everything won’t work for everyone, but hopefully you’ll find this as a good place to start! <3

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So that wraps up this Monday motivation post; I hope some of you found this helpful and that your week is off to a great start! Also, stay tuned for my Mother’s Day gift guide coming to the blog this week. All of the gifts will be under $50 dollars and I will be sure to include a variety of options to choose from!

XOXO,

B

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Happy Friday, friends and welcome back! I hope you had a great week and that you’re ready for the weekend ahead! Do you have anything fun planned? Are any of you going to see Avengers? We are finally expecting a warm, rain-free weekend here in Atlanta, so hopefully I can get outside and take in some of that glorious sunlight! In any case, regardless of what you have on tap, I hope you have an awesome weekend! As you can see by the title of today’s post, I’m going to be talking all about my Friday favorites! I have a mix of beauty, lifestyle and music, so without further ado, let’s jump right in!

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In • Big Sexy Hair (Get Layered) Hairspray • Clinique Body Gelato

Clinique Perfume • Invisibobble Hair Ties • Milani Setting Spray

Origins Eye Doctor • Physicians Formula Lippie • PTR Acne Mask • Batiste Dry Shampoo

If you’ve been here a while then I’m sure a lot of these products look familiar to you; however, I did throw in a couple of new things that I’ve been testing out and loving! Over the past few weeks I’ve noticed that my hair looks and feels more damaged than ever before; it’s incredibly dry, hard to style and breaking off like crazy. I remember using It’s a 10 YEAAAARRRSSS ago (shout out to Krissy for introducing me) and loving it so I decided to pick up a bottle and give it another whirl. I’ve only used it a couple of times, but I have noticed that my hair feels more hydrated and is much easier to style. I’ll keep playing around with it and update you guys if my feelings change! Moving on to another new product: Origins Eye Doctor. Okay, you guys know that I used the Origins GinZing Eye Cream in the past and really liked it, but recently changed over to the Clinique All About Eyes because I felt like I needed a little extra hydration. Well, fast forward a few months and my little jar of Clinique magic ran dry (I literally used every last drop). I went to ULTA looking to replace it but couldn’t find it anywhere (I hate when that happens). Instead I stumbled upon this gem from Origins. It’s ultra-hydrating, incredibly soothing and works well under makeup. I use it morning and night and have loved the results so far! Of course, if anything changes, you’ll be the first to know!

Nike Sports Bra • Yoga Mat Cleaner • Zella Twin High Crops • Foam Roller

Scivation Xtend BCAAs • Girl Wash Your Face • Tassel Loafers

Washi Planner Tape

While I know I’ve mentioned a couple of things on the blog before, I think most of these products/pieces are new. I’ve been loving the Nike Sports Bra; it comes up a little higher than all my others, holds everything in place and features a pocket in the front to easily store your I.D. or house/car key. It runs TTS and is super comfortable (IMO). Since starting a new fitness routine, I’ve been using my yoga matt nearly everyday…which means I needed something strong, but gentle to keep it clean; enter: Asutra Yoga Mat Cleaner. It smells nice, eliminates odor and doesn’t ruin my mat in any way; ff you’re in the market, give it a try! In the spirit of working out, there’s nothing better than a new pair of tights. You guys know how I feel about Zella leggings, and these Twin High Crops are no exception. They are breathable, opaque and incredibly comfortable. They run TTS and are definitely worth the $$ (IMO). On to shoes…how stinkin’ cute are these Tassel Loafers from Sole Society?! The powder blue color is perfect for spring and the tassel detail sets these over the top!

Now onto the MAIN EVENT: GIRL WASH YOUR FACE. This book is pure gold. Seriously. If you’re into personal development (I hope you are), then you NEED to read this. It focuses on the many lies we tell ourselves and how those lies keep us from living out our purpose. I don’t want to spoil it, but ladies, if you are not ACTIVELY working on bettering yourself everyday, you should be, and this book can help! And before you say that I’m being too preachy, that’s not my intention, I promise! Trust me, I don’t have it all together, but I’m trying to get there, slowly but surely! If you’re in the market for a new read, give this one a go!

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So that wraps up my Friday favorites! I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope you have an awesome weekend! What products were you loving this week? Leave me a comment down below and let’s chat!

XOXO,

B

WORKWEAR WEDNESDAY: 5

Happy hump day, friends; we’re halfway there, HALLELUJAH! I hope your week has gotten off to a great start and that you have something fun planned for the weekend ahead. I know Avengers is coming out; do I have any movie buff followers that plan on catching it this weekend?! Anyways, I know I missed my ‘Workwear Wednesday’ post last week but never fear, I’m back with my fifth installment in the series today! I opted for a classic navy pencil skirt, a sleeveless blouse (hello spring) and a SUPER FUN pair of shoes to round out this weeks outfit! You know the drill, I will list and link everything down below; so without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Sleeveless Blouse • Sunnies • Watch • Pencil Skirt • Purse • Perfume

Bracelet • Pumps • Lipstick • Eyeshadow • Glotion

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How cute is this outfit?! This look was inspired by warm weather (I swear, it’s RIGHT around the corner) and fun shoes! Y’all, I can’t even deal; I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of leopard heels that didn’t break the bank (I’m looking at you Christian Louboutin) for YEARS, and Steve Madden finally came through *insert praise hands.* Now I don’t know what your office policy/dress code is, but I would consider this to be completely professional (at least at my office) with a pop of fun (thank you patterned pump)! However, if your office doesn’t allow sleeveless tops, you could easily pair this with a lightweight cardigan (HERE & HERE) or blazer (HERE & HERE) and be good to go! I think this could easily transition from the office to happy hour and could be dressed down by throwing your hair up in a bun and opting for a pair of flats (HERE & HERE) instead of a heel!

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So that wraps up this edition of ‘Workwear Wednesday;’ I hope you enjoyed this post and were able to get a little office attire inspo! Does your job allow sleeveless tops? Would you wear a fun, patterned heel to work?! Leave me a comment down below and let’s chat!

XOXO,

B

MOTIVATION MONDAY + WORKOUT MUST-HAVES

Happy Monday, friends and welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are ready to crush the week ahead! If you tuned into my last Tabata Tuesday, then you know that I recently started a new workout program through Beachbody on Demand. 80 Day Obsession includes 80 workouts based on 6 focus areas (helps avoid plateaus) and a timed nutrition plan that ensures you get the right fuel at the right time to maximize your energy and results. I spent some time yesterday foam rolling my aches away and am happy to report that I made it through the first week (barely) without any catastrophic meltdowns (lol)…bring on week 2! I’m definitely one of those people that have fallen off the wellness wagon time and time again but finally decided that enough was enough. I want to wear cutoff shorts without standing in the mirror for 45 minutes hating the way I look. I want to stop canceling plans for fear of being photographed and tagged on Facebook. I want to go to the pool without thinking about which bathing suit will hide more. If you’re anything like me and have struggled to find your wellness (because it’s so much more than working out) groove, I’m here to offer huge hugs and tons of support! Find something you like to do and write it into your schedule. I find that when I don’t schedule my workouts (i.e., make them something I HAVE to do) they become an afterthought and are easily skipped. You don’t have to workout everyday to be “well” or “fit,” just find a schedule that works for you and make a conscious effort to stick to it, I promise it will be worth it!

 Since this motivation Monday post is centered around working out and wellness, I thought now would be a good time to talk about my home gym must-haves. You don’t need loads of fancy equipment to get a good sweat session in; to be honest, you really don’t NEED any equipment at all. If you’re someone who doesn’t have the budget for gym equipment and/or a gym membership, your body weight and a free workout video on YouTube works just fine (I employ this method often). In addition to not needing fancy equipment/memberships, you also don’t need to spend an arm and a leg on athletic apparel. Don’t get me wrong, cute workout clothes can be a great motivator (for some people) but it’s not NECESSARY for actually working out! You don’t need the newest shoe trend from Nike or Adidas, a pair of sneakers from Target (like THESE or THESE) will serve you just as well, trust me. And while I know that Lululemon and Athleta are fun, quality brands; again, they aren’t NECESSARY! You can go to your local TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Target or Old Navy and score some incredible workout gear without breaking the bank! If you don’t have $$ for pre-workouts and protein powders, no worries; eating a clean(er) diet and drinking loads of water will help you achieve your goals! Like I said, the extras are nice and I’ll admit, there are some that I use daily, but I don’t feel like I NEED any of them. If I had to go without my dumb bells and BCAA powder, I totally could. With that being said, below are some of the things I use on a daily/weekly basis as I work towards completing this program. If you’re interested in some budget friendly workout apparel/affordable equipment, let me know down below and I’ll put together a list of some of my favorites!

 

Blender Bottle • RX Bars • Resistance Bands • Scivation BCAAs • Invisibobble Hair Ties

Tiger Balm • Pre-Workout • Sliders • Foam Roller • Dumbbell Set

I know there are a lot of “extras” on this list, however for the 80 Day Obsession program, I need just about all of them (equipment wise). If this seems overwhelming to you, I TOTALLY get it. Again, you don’t NEED any of this to be successful; a positive attitude, a pair of sweats and a free bodyweight workout from YouTube will have you feeling better than ever in no time!

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So that wraps up this Monday Motivation post. I hope you’re having a great day and found this post helpful in some way! If you’ve fallen off the wellness wagon and are looking for some motivation, find me on my socials and I’ll be sure to send you all the positive vibes!

Do you use any of the products listed above? What are some of your workout must-haves? Leave me a comment down below and let’s chat!

XOXO,

B

TABATA TUESDAY

Happy Tuesday, friends and welcome back! I hope you all had an awesome weekend and that your week has gotten off to a great start. Today I’m back with another edition of Tabata Tuesday…shocker! Full disclosure, yesterday I started a new Beachbody program called 80 Day Obsession and let me tell ya, it kicked my tail. It focuses on timed nutrition (holy hard) and 80 days of intense (IMO) workouts. The first workout in the program was a 60 minute doozy called ‘Total Body Core,’ and I can go ahead and tell you that it took me far longer than an hour to complete and made me feel sore across every inch of my body…yay! However, despite starting a new workout program, I know that many of you prefer a more flexible fitness approach which is why I want to continue uploading Tabata Tuesdays for y’all. I like the idea that no matter where you are, if you NEED a good sweat session, you can come here and access a plethora of workouts; they’re quick, challenging and perfect for folks on the go!

With that being said, I’m sure most of you know what Tabata is and how it’s done, but for those of you that may be new here (or to Tabata), you basically work out really hard for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break, being sure to take a 60 second break between each circuit. I know it might sound confusing now, but I will leave very clear, detailed instructions below!! So without further ado, let’s get our sweat on!

**Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional or personal trainer, so please consult with your doctor before starting any new workout regimen!**

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WARM-UP:

  • 75 Jumping Jacks
  • 10 Supermans
  • Arm Circles (up to 10 in each direction)
  • 10 Squats
  • Alternating Side Lunges (10 on each side)
  • Ankle Rolls (10 each side)
  • 60 Second High Knees

CIRCUIT ONE: (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before moving on to circuit 2. Take a 60 second break between EACH CIRCUIT).

  • High Knees
  • Froggers
  • Speed Skaters

CIRCUIT TWO: (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before moving on to circuit 3. Take a 60 second break between EACH CIRCUIT).

  • Squat Jumps
  • Burpees
  • Reverse Crunches

CIRCUIT THREE:  (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before moving on to circuit 4. Take a 60 second break between EACH CIRCUIT).

  • Push-Ups
  • Flutter Kicks
  • Tricep Dips

CIRCUIT FOUR:  (Do each exercise for 20 seconds followed by a 10 second break before moving on to the next exercise. Repeat the circuit 3 times before taking a 60 second break and moving on to your cool down!)

  • Plank Shoulder Taps
  • Jumping Lunges
  • Russian Twists

**Make sure you take AT LEAST 5 minutes to cool down/stretch after your workout; this is VERY important**

So that wraps up this edition of Tabata Tuesday! I hope you enjoyed this quick, no-nonsense workout and if you decide to give it a try, let me know how you like it!

XOXO,

B