Work It Wednesday: Workouts with Autumn Calabrese

Autumn Calabrese is my go to trainer on the 21 Day Fix! So since it is "Work It Wednesday", I figured that she could be your go to trainer too! 

Here are a few of my favorites...

Work It Wednesday: No Fuss Holiday Hairstyles

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for the best No Fuss Holiday Hairstyles come this time of year. You know, for those couple days where I actually do my hair, but somehow only have five extra minutes to get ready. 

Luckily for you, I've already been scouring Pinterest! 

See this pin!

See this pin!

See this pin!

See this pin!

See this pin!

See this pin!

See this pin!

See this pin!

See this pin!

Which hairstyle is your favorite?

Work it Wednesday: Beauty Hacks You Need to Know

With the holidays fast approaching, women everywhere will be rushing between the office, the mall, home for dinner & out for holiday parties in no time at all. Which leaves less time to make sure you look your best every step of the way. So here are some beauty hacks that you need to know! 

• Use coconut oil as a conditioning hair mask, before washing your hair that looks overly dry. 
• You can also make your own leave-in conditioner by combining 1 part of your favorite conditioner with 3 parts water in a spray bottle. 
• To tame frizzy hair, smooth a bit of hand cream through your tresses. 
• For static, use a dryer sheet. 
• You can use conditioner in place of shaving cream.
• Use coconut oil on a cotton pad to remove makeup.
• Use apple cider vinegar as a toner, especially on your T-zone if you're prone to breakouts. 
• Blot an oily face with a coffee filter.
• If you have the time, steep two tea bags & place them over puffy eyes for 10 min. 
• Apply Vaseline or coconut oil onto rough & dry feet before putting on a pair of socks & going to bed. 
• Have your perfume last by applying it to your "hot zones" - inside your wrist, at the base of your throat, behind your ears, inside your elbows & behind the knees. 
• For fuller looking lips, add a drop of peppermint oil to your favorite lip gloss. 
• Use a dab of lipstick on your cheeks as a cream blush. 
• Create your own gel eyeliner with an eyeliner pencil & a lighter. 
 • Keep your lip color in place by holding a tissue lightly over your lips & dust with some translucent powder.
• Use a white basecoat to make your nail color pop. 
• Last minute mani? Dip your nails in cold water for 2-3 min. to speed the drying time. 
• Instead of taking all the time to remove glitter polish, use some Elmer's glue as a base coat & just peel it all off. 
• Keep your bobby pins in place by spritzing them with some hair spray first & making sure the bumpy side is to your scalp. 

Work It Wednesday: My Favorite Push-Up Variations

Push-ups are amazing to help build upper body strength. And the best part is that you don't need any extra equipment to "drop & give me 20". But the repetition of traditional push-ups can get boring, especially for your muscles, which is why variations are so important. 

Here are some of my favorite variations. There are two that technically require some equipment (an exercise ball & yoga blocks), but I usually use the couch & a few phonebooks instead (I knew those would come in handy if I saved them). 

Tricep (a.k.a. Military Style) Push-Ups - Place your hands right below your shoulders & your elbows pointed back. 

Elevated Push-Ups - Place your feet on an exercise ball, couch or some other object, making sure to keep your back straight. 

Stacked Push-Ups - Place one foot on top of the other for an added core workout. 

Canyon Push-Ups - Place your hands on yoga blocks (or phonebooks like I do), for a deeper push-up. 

Spiderman Push-Ups - As you go down, lift one knee & bring it to your elbow. Extend your leg back to a traditional push-up position on your way back up. Alternate legs on each repetition. 

 
 

Work It Wednesday: NeoCell Biotin Bursts & a Giveaway!

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from NeoCell & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.


You may remember a couple months ago when I had the pleasure of trying Beauty Bursts from NeoCell. (If you don't, you can read all about it here.) I was really impressed by how well they worked, but they didn't work very well on my nails. But that honestly didn't bother me because I'm rough on my nails as it is & we were working on some minor projects at home as well as major renovations at my in-laws. My nails never stood a chance. 

So of course when I had the chance to try Biotin Bursts from NeoCell, I was excited to say the least. Especially since biotin had been mentioned more than a few times by my friends lately. They've been raving about their hair, skin & nails, but I have to say, that Biotin Bursts are definitely tastier than any pill to swallow. It's almost like eating a Starburst every day thanks to the tasty Acai Berry flavor! 

Biotin is an important B vitamin, scientifically formulated to support the metabolism of proteins in the body which promote natural energy, luxurious hair, resilient nails & vibrant skin. 

I have to say that although I didn't notice much of a difference between using the Biotin Bursts compared to the Beauty Bursts, there was one noticeable difference. My nails. Of course I'm still rough on them as it is, but our minor projects have gotten pretty major lately, which means that my nails have been taking the brunt of the battle. BUT, and this may sound very strange, they seem to be breaking off more cleanly. You know, the kind of breaks that you don't need to stop everything to go file down your new dagger-like talon. Actually, most of the time I end up forgetting to file them. And then there's the part where they've been growing back much faster. (Only to break again, but at least I'm not left with nothing.)

Boasting 10,000MCG of biotin per chew, you only need to take one Biotin Burst a day. Of course if you are nursing, pregnant or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using. Biotin Bursts are gluten free & contain no soy, lactose, palm oil, yeast or artificial flavors. 

Want to discover beauty from the inside out?

One lucky winner will receive Biotin Bursts from NeoCell.

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Thursday 12/4/14. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday 12/5/14. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to NeoCell for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. Smith and Blessings is not responsible for prize shipment.
 *Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.  

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NeoCell has been developing and manufacturing all natural, premium anti-aging formulas for over 20 years and is the leading Collagen brand in the world. Our products are naturally based, not synthetic, and are designed to promote youthful health, beauty and total body wellness. We manufacture our own products using carefully sourced food-grade raw materials and our facility exceeds all GMP standards.We strive to continuously bring the best to our customers– products that we and our own families are proud to use, made with Nutrients You Can Trust®. 

Keep up with the latest from NeoCell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube & LinkedIn.  

Work It Wednesday: ENJOY Hair Care & a Giveaway!

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from ENJOY Hair Care & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.


Have you ever noticed how amazing your hair always looks after you leave the salon? It doesn't matter if you just get a trim or the full cut & color, there's always that special manageability to it. Of course your stylist has magical powers that literally breathe new life into your hair (*wink wink*). But the products they use play an important role too. 

I love the star design the bottles make sitting next to each other.

I had the pleasure to try the Luxury Shampoo & Conditioner from ENJOY Hair Care, which is sold only at salons nationwide (check here for a salon near you). The Luxury line is sulfate free, meaning that it lacks the inexpensive chemical that provides extra cleaning power & bubbly lather. But don't let that fool you, the shampoo alone has a rich lather & really gives your hair a deep down clean all the way to the hair follicles. 

Luxury Shampoo

Even from the first time I used this creamy shampoo, I could tell a difference. I did have to get used to not needing as much as other shampoos or else I would end up with a crazy amount of lather. But my hair never felt weighed down, if that makes any sense. But the best part was how clean & moisturized my hair felt - like I just had it washed in the hair bowl at the salon.

Luxury Conditioner

This has to be my favorite conditioner I've ever used. It is a bit thicker as far as the consistency goes, so it took me a bit to figure out how much to apply & where to, on my long locks. But I quickly figured it out & the end result was amazing. My long locks didn't need an extra detangler and were soft & shiny. Not to mention my bad hair days became few & far between. Well, at least the ones where I actually decided to style my hair. 

And as an added bonus, the Luxury Shampoo can double as a great body wash if need be, and the Luxury Conditioner makes an excellent shaving cream. Because we all have those moments when we run out of them in the shower. (And the Luxury line is much nicer than reaching for your hubs body wash or shaving cream.)

Want a little luxury of your own?
  

One lucky winner will receive the Luxury Shampoo & Luxury Conditioner from ENJOY Hair Care.
 

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Thursday 11/13/14. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Thursday 11/13/14. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit information, which will then be passed on to ENJOY Hair Care for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. Smith and Blessings is not responsible for prize shipment.
 *Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep up with the latest form ENJOY Hair Care on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & YouTube. 

Work It Wednesday: Rosebud Perfume Co.

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from Rosebud Perfume Co. & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review. 

  

I don't know about you, but I'm a huge sucker for lip balms. And Rosebud Perfume Co. has some of the best lip balms that I've ever had the pleasure of trying! 

It all started with "Balsam of Rosebuds" (later changed to Rosebud Salve), a family salve created by Dr. Smith, that could be used for various minor skin irritations. Dr. Smith's Rosebud Salve quickly gained local popularity & within a few years, he had one of the most unique mail order businesses in the United States. And while you can now pick up some Rosebud Salve (along with my favorite lip balms) at your local Sephora, you still get that same great product of yesteryear. 

Smith's Rosebud Salve Tube

I have to say that this is amazing as a lip balm. It leaves my lips silky smooth & has superb moisturizing capabilities. But since it is a salve too, I decided to try it out a couple of other ways also. My favorite is as a spot treatment for dry & rough skin (like my elbows). And Smith's Rosebud Salve makes an amazing base for eyeshadow.

Smith's Strawberry Lip Balm Tube

I've tried a lot of different strawberry lip balms over the years & most taste nothing like strawberry (or even close to it for that matter). But I'm glad to say that this one does. Actually, it reminds me more of Strawberry Shortcake, without all the calories. 

Smith's Mocha (Moka) Rose Lip Balm Tube

if this came freshly brewed in a cup, I would be one happy girl! The mocha vanilla taste is a bit more on the chocolatey side & honestly reminds me of one of my favorite specialty coffee drinks. Now I can treat myself all day & keep my lips moisturized! 

Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm Tube

This is by far my favorite! The pepperminty zing gives my lips a plumpness that I love (all thanks to the pure peppermint oil). But as an added bonus for me, a dab on my temples helps tremendously with my occasional headaches. Making this a necessity in my purse! 

•All products are gluten free & cruelty free. 

 •Rosebud Salve & Minted Rose Lip Balm are vegan friendly. 

•Strawberry Lip Balm & Mocha Rose Lip Balm contain natural beeswax.

•Lip balms are heat sensitive & Petrolatum based. 

 Keep up with the latest from Rosebud Perfume Co. on Facebook.

Work It Wednesday: Precisio Slant Tip Tweezers by Crave Naturals

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from Crave Naturals & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

When I was growing up, my mom was a bit particular when it came to certain brands of beauty products. Most notably being her mascara & tweezers. And while I still wear the same brand of mascara (I've recently branched out to other formulas though), the same can't be said of my tweezers. 

I'll admit that I was very apprehensive about trying the Precisio Slant Tip Tweezers by Crave Naturals. For no other reason than they just weren't my usual brand. But in all fairness, they looked like they were some high quality tweezers & the packaging really went the extra mile to help protect them. 

I have to say that after trying these, I threw my other tweezers away. (And told my mom that she should do the same.) The precise slanted tip (hence the name Precisio), allows you to get to the root of the hair for pain free removal. The surgical grade steel also has a matte finish so that there is no slippage & they are guaranteed to be sharp for life!

Precisio Slant Tip Tweezers even have their own holding case to prevent any damage or contamination. That means that I can even toss them in my purse without having to worry about what they might get on them (I do have three kids, remember?) 

Speaking of kids, I can't even begin to tell you how many splinters I've managed to remove from little hands & feet with these tweezers. But the best part is, that it's so much easier for me & virtually pain free for them! (Huge bonus points!)

 Precisio Slant Tip Tweezers are available on Crave Naturals & Amazon (with Prime shipping available).

Keep up with the latest from Crave Naturals on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ & Tumblr.

 

Work It Wednesday: DIY Liquid Soap

We seem to go through liquid soap like crazy in my house! But for some reason, I'm not really a fan of buying more. Of course that may have something to do with the couple dozen or so bar soaps I have tucked in the closet. Along with elephant & sea shell shaped soaps (thanks, mom!). It became obvious that it was time to whip up some DIY Liquid Soap, myself.

Making your own liquid soap is super simple! 

 ******

•Start by grating the soap & boiling the water. (One bar of soap to one gallon of water was the most common ration I found, but I used one elephant, two sea shells & 8C. of water.)

•Once the water has reached a full boil, remove from the heat & add the grated soap. Stir until thoroughly combined. 

•Allow the soap mixture to sit for 15-30 minutes before stirring again. At this point the soap will begin to thicken. 

•Next, let the mixture to sit for a few hours or overnight. If need be, you can add more soap or water until the desired consistency is reached. 

 

Work It Wednesday: Chalene Johnson's "Off The Wall" Workout

I'm always looking for new, fun ways to workout. Mostly because if I get bored with the workout, I just won't do it. (Excuses, I know. Ugh!) Of course it also helps if it's super short, that way I can do it multiple times a day whenever I have time. Well, thanks to a friend, I found one that matches all of the criteria. And actually, along with a few changes to my diet, I've seen more results doing this than any other workout I've tried recently. 

And it's all thanks to this lady...

Photo credit: A Real Change

If you don't already know this face, it's Chalene Johnson. You know, creator of Turbo Jam, TurboFire, Chalean Extreme & PiYo. 

But it's this workout that is "off the wall". Literally. 

Work It Wednesday: Back to School Style with Handsome in Pink & a Giveaway!

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from Handsome in Pink & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

The moment the hubs & I found out our first born was a girl, we immediately went out to buy pink & purple anything & everything. The first few years of her life, she was your typical girly girl - babies, Barbies, dresses, princesses & anything else you could think of. 

But now there's a new "Girly Girl" in town & she's got the shirt to prove it. My first born refuses to play with babies or Barbie dolls (unless her little sister asks her to). She wears a dress no more than three times a year. She is constantly covered in bruises or cuts from one incident or another (like when she made a mini Nitro Circus bike course from dirt mounds & crashed on the first try). She is the neighborhood go to girl if your bike chain pops off & your parents aren't home to fix it. And she loves to help her dad in the garage, hike, play soccer & do push-ups. 

Now you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the "Girly Girl" t-shirt from Handsome in Pink. I mean, that is my "Girly Girl"! 

This is Paige's muscle pose while trying to smile & look mean all at the same time.

This navy blue & white 3/4 sleeved t-shirt has been put through the test after quickly receiving the title of "favorite". (I'm pretty sure it gets worn at least twice a week.)

I can't even tell you how many times this t-shirt has been washed, but still looks great! There was some slight shrinking after it went through the dryer (the weather hasn't been the most cooperative to line dry), but it is made from 100& combed cotton so that is to be expected. And all of the stitching is a double stitch, so the seams have held up nicely too. 

Handsome in Pink is an eco-friendly, mom owned company, who aim to turn gender stereotypes upside down for babies & children. Below are some of my favorite designs that they have to offer. Oh who am I kidding, I adore them all!

Photos provided by Handsome in Pink.

 Be sure you sign up for the HiP newsletter so that you get all the latest updates (including special offers), straight to your inbox. 

Aside from my daughter absolutely loving her shirt, I love that Handsome in Pink generally ships in 1-3 business days. And they accept PayPal! Making shopping extremely easy & convenient. But now the tough decision of what to order for my other two kids! 

Spoiler alert! Look for something pink with your order! 

Do you know a "girly girl" who would love to have this 3/4 sleeved t-shirt (or a onesie) for herself?

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Thursday 8/28/14. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Thursday 8/28/14. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to Handsome in Pink for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. Smith and Blessings is not responsible for prize shipment.

*Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep up with the latest from Handsome in Pink on Facebook. 

  

Work It Wednesday: Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil

Oil pulling. I know when I first heard of it, I pictured a big oil rig & wondered how on earth it could be beneficial to my health & beauty. As I'm almost positive you're doing the same (at least you are now), if you've never heard of it before. But rest assured, it's quite different from that mental image. Actually, it's something I look forward to every day. 

I prefer to do oil pulling with Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, which is a truly unrefined organic coconut oil. But I also prefer when it's still slightly solid. You see, above 75º coconut oil is in liquid form & anything below is in solid form. 

Why Coconut Oil?

Because I like it! You could use extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, or sesame oil as well. Just remember, it has to be a taste you wouldn't mind having in your mouth for 15-20 minutes (which is the main reason why I prefer coconut oil).

How do you Oil Pull?

It's really simple! Just take a spoonful of oil (if you do use coconut oil, you may have to chew it a bit until it reaches liquid form if it's not already), and swish it around for 15-20 minutes. Make sure you "pull" the oil through your teeth (just like you do with mouthwash). And whatever you do, do not swallow the oil (more on that below). Also make sure you spit it out in the trash can to prevent a build up in your pipes & always brush & floss afterwards.  

Why Can't You Swallow the Oil?

When you're oil pulling, you are essentially trapping the toxins from your mouth in the oil. If you swallow it, you're re-absorbing those toxins into your body. 

What are the Benefits of Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling has amazing oral health benefits such as prevention of bad breath, whiter teeth, strengthening of teeth & gums, prevention of cavities & gingivitis and even a treatment for TMJ. But it also can provide headache relief, reduce inflammation from arthritis, help sinus congestion, reduce insomnia & eczema flare-ups, reduce allergy symptoms & help suppress appetite. 

Work it Wednesday: My Pinterest Closet at a Glimpse

If I had every article of clothing or accessory in my Pinterest closet, I may need another house. Not for the extra closet space, but to convert the whole thing into a closet. Separated by seasons I'm sure. 

With 2,675 pins to my "My Style" board at last count, I'm pretty sure an extra house (or three) as a closet would work. 

What are some of your favorite fashion pins?

Work It Wednesday: HIIT Workout Roundup

A HIIT workout, also known as High Intensity Interval Training, is becoming one of my favorite workouts. Actually, I did this kind of workout all the time without actually knowing it. I would always do a bout of crunches, squats, & push ups to the point of-really feeling it (oh my burning muscles!). So for a bit of "relief" in the middle of my workout, I'd throw in some yoga, planking & wall sits. Just something to give my body a bit of a break before I went back at it. So it's the bouts of short, high intensity intervals, combined with low intensity bouts that make it a HIIT workout. Which in turn is actually a better calorie burn & a lengthier time of having your metabolism elevated. 

So I figured that if I was more or less doing a HIIT workout, I might as well actually follow a few with more of a variety of exercises. 

Here's a roundup of some of my favorite HIIT workouts! 

Photo credit: Running On Real Food

Photo credit: Food, Fitness & Family Blog

Photo credit: Fitting It All In

Photo credit: Sunshine & The Bear

Photo credit: Gettin' My Healthy On

Photo credit: Treadmill Runway

Photo credit: 9 Kid Fitness

Photo credit: Foodies Find Fitness

Photo credit: Be Inspired Fitness

repeated bouts of short, high-intensity exercise intervals mixed with lower-intensity bouts

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/info_12309940_benefits-hiit-training.html