Okay, okay, I know it is so hard to even think about buying spring clothes when over half the country is experiencing ice storms and below freezing temps. However, spring just hit stores, and I am loving all the trends that I have been seeing. All I have to say is that groundhog better not see his shadow on February 2nd. I cannot wait to start sporting the warm weather trends.
Don't worry ladies, plaid is not going anywhere for spring! However, think plaid in more subtle, pastel tones and finer print. The "picnic basket plaid" trend is everywhere for spring, and definitely a must-have.
Another trend I have been seeing a lot of in spring collections is metallic fabrics. What's great about metallics is that you can wear them all year wrong and they are the perfect layering piece.
Another Fall trend that is sticking around for spring is fringe. It is everywhere, and I am not complaining! This texture goes well as an accessory, and I have even seen it implemented into clothing as well.
Still unsure of how I feel about this one, but colored suede has been everywhere! The great thing about suede is that it is so versatile and can be used in clothing, shoes or accessories.
Okay, it is time to get serious and get back to the gym, or if you are like many this time of year, start up a gym routine. The holidays are over - so no more excuses! I know it is tough to develop a routine, but once you do it becomes second nature. Exercise should be more of a lifestyle rather than a quick way to drop a few pounds. I have been working out regularly for 9 years, but I also know how difficult it is to start back up after falling off the wagon for a few weeks. Here are some of my tips for sticking to a routine and staying motivated to make it part of your lifestyle.
1. Pick a gym schedule and follow it!
I noticed if I don't plan ahead the days I am going to go to the gym I tend to put it off. At the beginning of the week, plan out what days you are going to go, that way you don't put it off towards the end of the week or make excuses for skipping sessions.
2. Switch it up
I love trying new classes and new workout routines. I get so bored doing the same thing all the time, so I love to switch up my workouts. One day I will run outside, the next I will do yoga or spin class. Plus switching up your workouts will help avoid hitting a plateau with your workouts, therefore burning more calories and remaining efficient.
3. Grab a buddy
I love working out with friends. They help me to push myself and will hold me accountable if I try to skip. Trust me - you will be far less likely to skip if you know you are meeting your bestie there.
4. Reward yourself
If I make it throughout the whole week without skipping a gym session, I'll buy myself a little reward such as a new bracelet I have been eying up. You will begin to look forward to these rewards.
5. Take a pre-workout supplement
Let's face it, you aren't always going to "feel" like working out. For those days that you really could use an extra boost, take a pre-workout like GreenForce Labs' NO2 Pre-workout (which I review below). I have been taking GreenForce Labs' NO2 Pre-workout for a couple weeks now as an added boost to some of my workouts.
6. Buy cute workout clothes
I am always excited to do something when I have some cute new clothes to wear. There are some really adorable choices out there now, plus just another excuse to go shopping!
7. Make a playlist
Working out to some of your favorite tunes can help you to feel more energized and push you through some of those long cardio sessions.
8. Download a fitness app
I love using apps like Sworkit and Runkeeper to track my progress. Both apps allow you to workout without using a gym or expensive equipment. Sworkit builds you randomized circuit training workouts that you can do anywhere. Runkeeper is great because you can build out a running plan and it will remind you when you need to complete your next run to stay on track.
GreenForce Labs' NO2 Pre-Workout Review
I was given the opportunity to try out a new pre-workout supplement from GreenForce Labs. I was excited about this opportunity because staying fit is one of my passions, and I always love trying new products to help me reach my goals and stay on track. I have taken several other pre-workout supplements in the past, and this was the perfect time to try something new.
When I received this little bottle in the mail, I was so excited to start my next workout. I took 4 of the pills before a Saturday afternoon workout that consisted of some cardio and strength training. I loved that this product did not contain creatine (which a lot of pre-workouts do). Creatine promotes water retention and helps bring in more energy to your muscles. It is often used by body builders to help build muscle mass, but this is not my goal. I prefer to tone my muscles rather than make them larger.
I also liked that it had a little bit of caffeine (about as much as a cup of coffee), which was just enough to boost my energy, but not make me jittery. It also contains L-arginine which increases vascular flow which helps boost Oxygen flow, thus giving you that "awake" and "energetic" feeling. I definitely felt this throughout my workout, and the pre-workout also helped me to keep up my stamina. The only con I would say is that I really didn't feel the effects until I started working out. Maybe this is because I already have a pretty high tolerance to caffeine, so I did not feel much of the caffeine effects.
Overall I really liked this product, and I will continue to use it for the days I need an extra boost. I wouldn't recommend it for every workout because you can begin to build a tolerance to the product, but I would recommend it as an additive to your long-term workout routine.
*Although this was a sponsored post powered by BrandBacker, all opinions of this product are my own. I only endorse products that I personally use and that suite my lifestyle.
New Years Eve has quickly been becoming one of my favorite holidays simply because it is by far the funnest holiday to dress for. I love all the sequence and metallic pieces that the night brings on. This is the opportunity of the year to bring out the best - and I wouldn't have it any other way. I always seem to gravitate towards a form fitting LBD paired with some fun and festive accent pieces made of feathers and sequence; this year is no exception.
This year I am going with the fringe skirt in my Holiday Party post. I always love the black and gold look - it's just so classy! I still have yet to find my accessories, but I am using the above collage as inspiration for the big day. What are you wearing for New Years Eve? Do you like to use this opportunity to wear fun items that you can't wear every day?
I just wanted to take the time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Enjoy the time with family and friends! I have really enjoyed reading everyone's holiday posts over the past few weeks. I loved seeing how the blogging community has really come together during this holiday season. This has been my first Christmas as a blogger, and I can't wait to see what the next year of blogging brings!
Safe travels to anyone who may be on the road... I know I will be!
So this week at work I was invited to participate in a holiday cookie exchange! I was so excited because this was my time to show off my "mad baking skills" - haha! I scoured Pinterest for something different that I knew no one else would be baking. I found this recipe for Red Velvet Thumbprint cookies, which I thought would be perfect! I decided to recreate this recipe and put my own spin on it.
These cookies turned out fabulously! They are so festive and bright; perfect for the holiday. I cannot wait to share them with the rest of my coworkers. They also work great as a small gift for neighbors or friends.
This recipe yields about 2 dozen cookies - which was just perfect for my cookie exchange!
Ingredients:
Red Velvet Cookies
1 1/8 cup of butter (softened)
1/2 cup of light brown sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 tsp of cocoa powder
a pinch of salt
Red food coloring (I used about 10-15 drops)
Cream Cheese Icing
4 oz of softened cream cheese
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup of powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1/4 tsp of vanilla extract
Garnish
Melted white chocolate
Directions
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Whip you butter, brown sugar, egg yolk and vanilla in a mixing bowl using the paddle attachment of your mixer. Then, slowly add in your flour followed by the cocoa and salt. Lastly, add in your desired amount of food coloring.
Roll your dough into balls using about a tablespoon of dough for each one, and set about two inches apart on your cookie sheet. Press down into the center of each ball with the back of a spoon or your thumb. Bake for about 10 minutes.
While the cookies are baking, mix all your icing ingredients into a bowl until it becomes a thick, milky texture. Pull your cookies out of the oven and make a deeper indent in the center of the cookies. Spoon in your icing, just slightly over flowing your indent in the center of the cookie. Pop back in the overn and bake again for about 12-14 minutes. Take out of the oven and let cool.
After the cookies have cooled, melt your white chocolate into a small bowl. Once it has melted, let it sit for a few minutes so that it is a nice texture for drizzling. Pour the chocolate into a small plastic bag and cut the tip of a corner just slightly so that you can drizzle a thin line over the cookies. Lastly, chill the cookies for a couple hours before serving. Enjoy!
Every Christmas I make a batch of slow-roasted cinnamon pecans to give to co-workers, friends and neighbors. They are so easy to make and super yummy. I will make a batch of them and bag them up in cute, little Christmas bags with bows. I'll keep some in my purse throughout the whole season so I can just hand them off as I go. Another bonus of these little guys - they make your house smell amazing while making them! They give off that nostalgic smell of walking though the mall at Christmas time.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups of pecans (you can also use almonds)
1 egg white
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
a few dashes of cinnamon
a few dashes of pumpkin pie spice
a dash of cayenne powder (optional)
pinch of salt
Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together your egg white and vanilla extract. In a medium bowl, mix together the sugars, spices and salt. Next, in a large freezer zip-lock bag, add in your pecans and pour the egg mixture over top. Close your bag and shake well until all your pecans are coated in the mixture. Next add in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and shake well until your pecans are evenly coated in the cinnamon sugar. Spread your pecans onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and pop in the oven. Bake for about an hour, turning over every 15-20 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!
Holiday parties are right around the corner. I only have a
couple this year, but of course I want to look my best for each one.
One of the best parts of shopping for a fancy holiday look is that you
get to load up on sparkles, metallics and fringe, and I did just that
for my holiday look. I purchased this fringe skirt from Express a few
weeks ago, and I have been dying to wear it ever since! I thought it
would go great with this metallic top I had in my closet. I wanted to
pair it with a blazer so that the outfit would be sophisticated enough
for my holiday work party, so I paired it with this fabulous Loft,
leather sleeve blazer. Lastly, I topped off the look with some fun,
sparkly accessories and fun, animal print pumps. This was by far one of
my favorite looks to put together!
