workouts

FAB FIT FUN – REVIEW

I have been seeing Fab Fit Fun everywhere, so I took the plunge and first ordered the Editor’s box, which I received for only $20 or so. Truthfully, I forgot I kept the subscription, so when I was charged the $50 bucks for the summer box, I figured why not, let’s see what the hype is all about! For the $50 seasonal subscription, you receive a box of goodies ranging from beauty to fashion to fitness. The value of the box is worth more than $200, what a steal!

When you initially subscribe, you fill out a survey, which is to help the FabFitFun team select products that are more in tune with your personal tastes. This does not mean the box is personalized however!

To start, I LOVED the Editor’s Box! Check it out below!

Rachel Pally Reversible Clutch – $60

Two clutches in one? Yes, please! I received the blue/pink one. The vibrant color and fun summer pattern can add a pop to any outfit!

Free People Starry Eyed Sleep Mask – $25

I love that this had removable cooling inserts!

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment – $75

Honestly have not tried yet, but only have heard amazing things. The papaya, pumpkin, + pineapple enzymes perfectly polish your face while the treatment also improves texture, pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Spongellé Body Wash Infused Buffer in French Lavender – $16

OKUR. The smell of this alone is just incomparable. I am OBSESSED with it. It exfoliates, cleans, and moisturizes! Love the way my skin feels after using it.

tarte Double Duty Beauty™ leave your mark eyeshadow palette – $30

tarte is my favorite makeup brand, so I was over the moon when I received this. Seven eye shadows and a white gold highlighter?! I love to create natural, everyday looks with this palette ❤ ❤

Homemade by Ayesha Curry Ceramic Mug – $16

Super cute, and perfectly fitting for my desk at work!

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Mask – $30

Can’t wait to try this especially since summer has been hard on my hair between the heat, styling, salt water, sun, you name it! It certainly needs some hydrations and restoration.

MYTAGALONGS Hot & Cold Gel Pack – $15

A perfect hot and cold pack for soothing any muscle aches and pains! Freeze or heat to the desired temp, and place where you need relief. Always good to have!

And now for the Summer box! I also loved this one. I think they included the perfect necessities for summer!

Coola Sport Sunscreen SPF 50 – $36

I have recently tried making everything I put on my body organic, and during summer, when sunscreen is basically the first thing you put on everyday, I was so happy to receive this! It feels great on my skin!

tarte sex kitten eye liner + pro to go eye palette – $43

Like I mentioned before, I LOVE tarte products! I actually have this palette and already used two of the colors so I was thrilled to receive a replenished one!

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator – $34

First off, ONE bottle lasts SIX MONTHS. I am lucky if my face wash lasts me three weeks! This scrub brightens, cleanses, rejuvenates, and hydrates! Looks like I don’t have to leave mt house to feel like I went to the spa!

Foreo Luna Fofo – $90

This was the first thing I opened and tried. It was pretty cool to use and I was super happy to see that my skin age as my actual age! It is a silicone cleansing brush that features app-driven skin analysis. LUNA fofo analyzes the skin type and moisture level in each zone of the face to create a personalized skin profile.

Summer + Rose Beach towel – $55

I don’t know about you, but I feel like during summer I am always searching for a towel. One that is cute, clean, big, not hanging on by a thread, etc. Thank god I received this one. My woes are gone! This over-sized towel is so soft and just perfect for a day at the beach (sand won’t stick) or poolside! 🙂

Erth Pearl “Tu y Yo” Ring – $55

I am usually a strictly silver, simple jewelry person. Buuuut this has changed my views on pearls and gold. I love how unique it is. It has two certified natural cultured freshwater pearls and is 14K gold (real gold) plated!

Pier 1 imports Marble Ring Dish – $20

I love marble print, and I love this dish! The perfect addition to my vanity where I can place my rings and things, especially my new Erth ring!

Orlando Pita Play Atmos-Shield – $25

Following my organic preferences, this paraben free 10-in-1 thermal heat protection spray helps to fight potential damage caused by heat, UV rays, pollution etc. It helps protect hair, seal split ends, making hair shiny, soft, and smooth! Also, it smells amazing.

IMPORTANT: I also loved the reusable straw they sent to help gain awareness for the plastic crisis taking over the oceans. Save the turtles ❤

Overall, I would definitely recommend FabFitFun! They have awesome, unique, high quality products in their seasonal boxes – all for a price you couldn’t even dream of. Totally worth it, go get yours!

#Armor #Abs

Abs are made in the kitchen. While yes, abs are made in the gym, what you make + eat in your kitchen is what will reveal them. Only about 30% of what you do in the gym will help with the abs, the other 70% is all about what you’re putting into your body. In this post, I will go over (and show you!) some exercises I do to help with my abs. I don’t have a six pack (I do have a sweet tooth 😉 ), but I do know these exercises are some of the best and will def have your abs burning the next day!

I do abs about four times a week. I dedicate one day to all exercises on the stability ball, another day to solely planks, another day leg raises/cable crunches/Russian twists, and another day on just random ab machines.

*Some of these require a pilates ball, but I will also include some other exercises that you can do without*

Feel free to mix and match!

Stability ball pike – 4 sets of 25

Stability ball mountain climbers – 2 sets of 30

Stability ball V-Up – 2 sets of 30
- Video here

Legs on ball crunch – 2 sets of 30

Side touches – 2 sets of 60 (30 each side)

Crunches on ball – 2 sets of 30
Stability ball tuck
- Video here
Hip side raises – 2 sets of 30 (each side)
Planks – I do seven minutes – one minute for each of the below
- Regular plank
- Star plank
- Feet on stability ball
- Left side plank
- Right side plank
- Elbows on stability ball plank
- Regular plank to start plank (every ten seconds switch)
Plank rolls – 2 sets of 30
Plank knees to elbow – 2 sets of 30(each)
Russian Twists (with 12 pound ball) – 4 sets of 25
Leg raises – 4 sets of 25
Cable crunches – 4 sets of 30
Weighted punch crunch – 4 sets of 25

VALENTINE’S DAY WINE GUMMIES

Happy Valentine’s Day sweethearts! ❤ A day full of flowers, chocolates, love…and wine gummies? I think YES. I made these awhile back and actually posted this recipe for another blog, and it was a huge hit so I decided I will share here as well :). Tell the chocolates to stay on the shelves this year, because these are bound to be all the rage – especially if you’re a wine lover.

Seriously the quickest recipe ever – just three ingredients! Since you can use red or white wine, you can cater to whatever you prefer, or if these are for someone else, whatever they prefer. These def can be made for any occasion, whichever cookie cutters you want to use! Easter? Jesus has risen – let’s celebrate with wine gummies! Columbus Day? He was Italian, they make wine, let’s celebrate with wine gummies! Labor Day? What is a little winding down the concept of work without a little wine? Let’s celebrate with wine gummies! You get the gist – and hey if you want to make them just because, I totally get that 😉

Ingredients:

1 cup of wine of your choice

4 Tbsp. gelatin

2 Tbsp. maple syrup* (To make sweeter, you can add more maple syrup. I wanted to keep the wine flavor, so I only used 2 Tbsp.)

Directions:

Pour wine into a saucepan over low heat. Let heat up for about 3-5 minutes at this low heat, you do not want the wine to boil.
Add 1 Tbsp. of gelatin at a time, whisking after each addition to make sure it is combined thoroughly.
Add maple syrup to the sweetness you desire. Whisk it all together and remove from heat.
Pour into long pan and let chill/set in fridge for 1-2 hours.

You can cut them out in any shape you desire or use cookie cutters, I chose hearts since Valentine’s Day is today 🙂

Note: Once chilled some parts may look bubbly, simply just cut out your shape and flip it over for the smooth side.

ZARA HAUL

Sooo I went to the mall to return a pair of pants….and left with an entirely new wardrobe from Zara. It is so crazy how life pans out right? Hahah seriously though it was been a hot minute since I went shopping at Zara, and I happened to go at the right time! They were having a MAJOR sale – still seems to be going on as of today 😉 , and it made me question why I stopped going here so frequently. From some of the coziest sweaters I’ve ever owned, to some of the most unique and trendy pieces I have ever owned, this latest haul had it all! Similar to H&M, they have great fast fashion pieces but also classic pieces. I like Zara bit more though because their pieces are more simple and classic, and easier to mix and match – and that is just more of my personal style. I also find their “statement” pieces to be more subtle and more doable for everyday, and severely less commercialized. Honestly, I have never seen some of these types of styles before.

I can’t seem to find any of this online, so I am not sure if it is just all in stores, but hey how different can each store be? If you find yourself in a near proximity of a Zara, then stop reading and go grab some pieces, your closet AND wallet will thank you!

Jeans: $12.99 + Sweater: $15.99

Shirt: $20 + Jacket $29.99

Sweater: $29.99

Shirt: $9.99

Sweater: $29.99

Button down w/ pearl accents: $17.99

Cross silk top: $17.99

Bodycon dresses: $12.99 (each)

Black/white colorblock dress: $19.99

Sweater dress: $29.99

Floral dress: $15.99

Jumpsuit: $17.99

Pearl top: $15.99 and various pants for $17.99

H&M HAUL

NYC temps have been sinfully low lately (more snow tomorrow!). I can’t believe just last week it was in the fifties and now we are lucky to see 25 degrees! Even though it is wayyyy too early in the season to put away the sweaters, it is never too late to add to the sweater collection ;). I always seem to get the most compliments on my H&M sweaters which makes sense because stores like H&M and Zara, etc. are all “fast fashion”. This basically just means it is trending styles of today for a cheaper price. I love (most) of their sweaters because aside from the trendy ones, they also have a ton of classic and basic looks that never go out of style. They are easy to get a bunch of different looks out of them and easy to just throw on. For times like this where I need some quick classic additions to my closet, H&M is an absolute go-to. Especially when all of these sweaters I only got for $15-$17 each!

Since my style is pretty basic, I stick with more neutrals, and more simple looks as opposed to flashy glitz and glam looks. Sometimes I like to throw in a “wow” (to me at least!) or fun piece that I won’t wear too often but can get some cool outfits with. I like that H&M offers pieces like that that I can spruce up my closet with while not breaking the bank in the meantime.

Here are some of the best finds I got at H&M over the weekend!

Khaki Green Sweater – $15 (not sure if that was in store only price)

Oversized Gray Sweater – $15

Cut Off Sweater – $12 + Paper Bag Skirt – $18

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Patterned Pants (closest I could find) – $14 + Black Turtleneck – $7 (cannot find online at all 😦 )

Paper Bag Pants – $34 + Knit Sweater – $34 (def paid like $17 in store)

Knit Wool Blend Sweater – $17 (online it is showing as $35)

In grey, oatmeal, + red

2018 BOOTY GAINS

Happy New Year! So excited to see what is in store for 2018 and to leave 2017 behind! I guess my first resolution should be to get back into posting weekly. I have sooo many ideas for content but what good are they if they just stay in my head? With the start of a new year, I see so many “new year, new me” quotes, but lately I have been seeing so many more “new year, new body” type of quotes and resolutions – which I think is great! Being active and fit is so important to your overall health and even self-esteem. I think 2017 was all about the booty, and I think 2018 will be the same so I will be sharing with you my booty regiment. I actually do legs two times a week, call me crazzzzzzy. After a few weeks of doing this, I do switch it up to other routines because it is good to shock the body so the muscles don’t get so used to certain workouts. If this post goes well, I will be sharing my other workouts I do throughout the week :). *Disclaimer – I am not a personal trainer, nor am I some bikini competition model, but I am pretty proud of my assets (lol) and after working out for years, I’d like to think I know a thing or two 😛 I posted a few videos of sample exercises, and the workouts are at the bottom of the page 🙂

I try to do legs beginning of week + end of week. Usually Monday/Friday. Do weights that you feel comfortable with and don’t try to over exert yourself! I always switch it up between heavy weights and low weights.

Below are two examples of exercises (I may add more!). The first one is single leg glute bridges. The other two are modified kickbacks – putting the weight behind your knee!

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Leg Day 1

Warm-Up – no weight (3 sets of 15)
- Lateral band walks
- Glute sidekicks
- Kneeling kickbacks
Superset 1
- Curtsy lunges (no weight or low weight) – 5 sets of 10
- Hip raises (now weight or low weight) – 5 sets of 10
- Single leg glute bridge (no weight or low weight) – 5 sets of 10
- Kickbacks (no weight or low weight) – 5 sets of 10
Superset 2
- Deadlifts – 5 sets of 8
- Leg curls – 5 sets of 8
- Leg extensions – 5 sets of 8
Superset 3
- Leg press – 5 sets of 8
- Calf raises – 4 sets of 15

Leg Day 2

Warm Up – half mile jog
Walking lunge – 4 sets of 25
Leg press – 4 sets of 25
Leg extensions – 3 sets of 25
Leg curl – 3 sets of 25
Squats – 4 sets of 12
Wide stance squats – 4 sets of 12
Bulgarian split squats – 4 sets of 12 (each leg)
Good mornings – 4 sets of 10
Thigh abductor and adductor – 4 sets of 12