The Summer Cleanse: Tips to Look Better, Feel Better this Summer

Everyone seems to take it easy in the winter. We’re layered up and in hibernation from the cold, not thinking about this time of year when we’re quickly trying to de-bloat and become more active. But now that we’re losing the layers in favor of lighter fabrics and colors, while spending more time outdoors, we’re all-too-aware of how our winter behaviors have taken a toll on our body. You’ve still got a few weeks until summer, though – make the best of them! Use these tips to get rid of that winter bloat, gain more energy for summer activities, and feel good in your summer clothes.

Beat the Bloat

The foods we eat in the winter, combined with a lack of physical activity, tend to bloat us. Do a quick de-bloat:

Fruit and waterDrink enough water. It sounds counter-intuitive, but dehydration will cause you to feel bloated.

Eat enough fruit. You need the fiber to properly digest everything, and the nutrients will give you energy.

Skip the salt. Go for fresher foods as opposed to processed meals to cut down on sodium intake – it’s a huge culprit of bloating!

Eat your yogurt as well as quinoa, almonds, asparagus, oatmeal, artichokes, cucumbers, and hot tea. They’re all known debloating foods!

 

Get Tank Top Arms

If you want to do a quick tone-up before wearing more revealing clothes, don your workout leggings and headband, because you’re going to have to do a little work! Here’s a quick routine for tightening your tris so you look good in tank tops, dresses, and swimsuits.

Two-tone tank top

10 pushups – no one likes them, but they’re a necessary evil. Start out doing them on your knees if they’re too difficult, and work your way up to a standard plank push-up, but don’t skip them! They tone your chest, back, arms, and core.

8 bicep curls, 8 half curls, 8 bicep curls – for that defined arm muscle.

15 shoulder presses – like you imagine Arnold doing.

10 pushups – yes, again.

15 tricep dips – the closer your feet are to your butt, the easier the move will be. Work your way up!

15 back rows – use heavier weights, your back muscles can take it.

15 lateral raises – like you’re flying.

10 pushups – one more time!

15 tricep kickbacks – with 20 pulses at the end.

 

Boost your Energy

Green Smoothie recipeGetting more energy doesn’t mean doubling up on the coffee. Try drinking a green smoothie – it sounds gross, but trust us, it tastes great. Combine a few handfuls of spinach with half a frozen banana, ¼ cup of frozen berries, a splash of coconut oil, a scoop of vanilla protein powder, and some ice cubes for a morning boost.

Also, try doing a quick cardio circuit in the morning to kick start your metabolism and give yourself energy and endorphins to last you through the day. Do a minute of jumping jacks, a minute of step-touches, a minute of jump roping, a minute of step-touches, a minute of high-knees, and another minute of step-touches. Repeat two or three times and take on your day!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Beach Babes: Flatter your Body with the Right Swimsuit Type

As we’ve mentioned before, there are many alternatives to the standard bikini if you aren’t daring to don one this summer. Still, some lovely ladies are looking to show skin and soak up rays, and should you suit up this season, know that not all bikinis are created equal. Just like with a LBD, shape and size are everything, so stay tuned if you’re looking for the most figure-flattering fit for your shape.

For example, bustier women should always opt for halter tops or racerback, sporty tops to make sure they’re well-supported and balanced out visually. Too little coverage on top not only leaves you anxiously tugging and pulling all day to make sure everything stays in place, they give you a better skin-to-fabric ratio that helps to accentuate your figure using your natural curves. Utilizing your shoulders and neck to support your chest help to avoid drooping and are more comfortable while giving you a shapely silhouette even when you’re dressed-down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re a pear shape, try using visually interesting elements on the top half of the bikini while keeping the bottom-half low key and avoiding tie sides. Mix and match a printed top with a solid bottom to draw the attention toward your pretty face and cute shades, and avoid suits that are held together only by string on the sides of the bottom. These inevitably dig into the skin, breaking up the sleekness of your curves.

 

 

For athletically-built women who would like to add the illusion of curves, try soft floral patterns or stripes that angle in a V-shape. You’ve got a fit body worthy of admiring – now accentuate it by taking advantage of soft, feminine prints!

 

 

And smaller-chested woman are totally in luck this season, as the bustier-type bikini is more in style than ever. Some underwiring with a bit of extra fabric around the ribcage, as well as definitive cups, keep things feminine while embracing your petiteness. If you’re petite in the frame as well as the bust, go for a bold, solid color like neon red. They help to accentuate your best areas while not traipsing into “little girl” territory the way ruffles and florals might.

Posted in General Discussion, Trends | Leave a comment

More than The Voice: The Look of Team Adam

Is anyone else totally obsessed with The Voice? It’s extremely fun to watch now that Christina has been swapped for Shakira, but hopefully they never get rid of Adam Levine. Not only is he an insanely talented voice coach with the moves like Jagger (yeah, we had to go there), he cares about his team members feeling good just as much as he wants them to sound good. While Usher took his team for a lesson in cardio and kickboxing, Adam went for a different approach – when his group dwindled down to just four contestants, all females, he gave them a makeover!

These four girls are Amber Carrington, Caroline Glaser, Judith Hill, and Sarah Simmons – and we love their styles!

The best thing about this team’s vibe is that four very different – and very awesome – styles of cute clothing are represented.

Amber Carrington has a classic glam rock and roll look that not just any chick could pull off. She sticks with dark colors and somewhat masculine accents – when coupled with her typically dark eyeliner, it totally works for her. It’s hard not to love her ability to completely own “Good Girl” while rocking the look.

Caroline Glaser has a much more feminine look than Amber, incorporating a more pastel color palette, feminine structured jackets, and springy prints. We love the way she rocks the colored jeans and flowy blouses, and her loose curls just bring the whole look together.

If you ran into Judith Hill on the street, you’d probably be intimidated. She’s not afraid to stomp around in some lace-up boots when decking herself out in some rock-and-roll inspired street style. Whether she’s got her hair in a sleek top knot with a fancy dress, or she’s looking almost like an 80′s rock star, she’s got a look that’s difficult to imitate and she’s most definitely not afraid to incorporate a bold statement piece. We love this fringe tank top with the printed leggings!

And finally, Sarah Simmons – her look is about as heavenly as her voice (did you hear her incredible rendition of “One of Us“? Get it, girl!) It’s hard not to love a curvy girl who embraces a 60′s-70′s hippie look, and she does it flawlessly. Bold florals, crochet yokes, and stone jewelry are right in Sarah’s realm; she’s a total flower child.

Which Team Adam contestant has a style you’d be most likely to try to adopt? Are you a hard rocker, or can you be caught throwing up the peace sign? Comment and let us know!

Posted in Celebrity Styles | Leave a comment

Fashion meets Practicality: Going-Out Accessories to Make Your Life Easier

For a night out dancing, there are a lot of comfort luxuries that we women tend to forgo when we get dressed. Some women don’t care how cold or rainy it may be, they will not be burdened with having to carry their coats from bar to bar. Other women pop a few aspirin to rock five-inch stilettos, no matter how bad their feet hurt the next day. But beauty doesn’t always have to be synonymous with discomfort or inconvenience, which is why we’ve put together a list of essentials that will make your night out at the bar or club a little less clunky.

Cross-body and Waist Purses

No one wants to bring a satchel or a hobo bag into the club. You can’t dance if you’re lugging around ten poundCrossbody bagss worth of God-knows-what. On the other hand, you need a place to keep the essentials – wallet, keys, lipstick, ID, and cash. That’s why waist purses – and, yes, that may be a euphemism for “fanny packs” – seem to be so favored by Rihanna. Believe it or not, they can look chic, especially if you’re the type of girl who loves to rock street style. If you lean toward the more feminine look of cute club dresses and delicate shoes, cross-body bags will be your savior like this one Jessica Alba is flaunting. No more worrying that you’re going to accidentally put your clutch down in the bathroom and forget it there, and no more knocking other people out with a huge purse. These alternatives are cute, classy, and convenient.

 

 

Mesh Hair DonutsTop Knot

mesh hair donutFor the cost of like, three dollars at your local beauty shop or drugstore, you can have the most useful item you’ll ever put on your head: a hair donut. We know what it’s like to not know how you should wear your hair when you go out, but deep down in your heart you know a top knot is always the answer (face it: your hair is going to end up in a top knot one way or another once you start sweating from all that dancing, you might as well make it look intentional). When your hair is in a sleek updo, you don’t have to worry about looking like a disheveled lion at the end of the night. Plus, having your hair off your neck and shoulders keeps you cool while dancing! Look how Whitney Port rocks hers.

 

roll-up flats

 

Roll-Up Flats

We all have that one friend who insists on wearing heels even though she always has to be carried to her car by the end of the night because her feet are throbbing in pain. Walking barefoot through the city streets is something a lot of girls opt to do…but it is not cute, nor is it sanitary. Roll-up flats are your savior, and that’s exactly why. They get small enough to fit in even a waist purse, so you can make the switch for the walk back to your ride or give them to that friend who didn’t think ahead.

 

Posted in General Discussion | Leave a comment

Summer Styles: Get Ahead of the Game

If you haven’t started your summer shopping yet, it’s time to get on it! Put away those wine-colored skinny jeans and get prepared for the trendy clothes that are coming in to help you warm up to the season. It’s a given that summer is the time to bring out the brights and the strappy wedges, but the summer of 2013 is bringing hot new trends we can’t seem to resist. Get a leg up on summer fashion and make sure your wardrobe is well-equipped with these statement pieces.

Bright Lace

Bright Lace ShortsIf you thought that there wasn’t much room for creativity with shorts, think again. Lace shorts on their own are big this season, but when they come in a pop of color, they’re difficult to resist. Heavy lace brings a bit of texture to otherwise lightweight summer clothing. When paired with a blouse and some pumps, you’ve got the perfect party outfit.

Bold in Black and White

Bold Black and White Pants and DressIf you’re the type of girl that thinks monochromatic is synonymous with muted, then you’re doing it wrong! Big black and white prints are absolutely gorgeous in pants, skirts, skater dresses, blouses and more. Keep it classy with a greyscale-colored top and gold jewelry, or add in some bright colors to stand out day or night.

The Bustier Bodice

Bustier BodiceIn a crop top or as part of a dress, a bustier bodice is the best way to take an outfit from cute to va-va-voom. When you give an otherwise subdued sweetheart neckline some boning and structure, you’re ready for date night whether you opt for shorts or a frock. Plus, they’re super-flattering on ladies of all sizes, so this isn’t a look you’ll be wanting to pass up this summer!

Wide HeadbandsWide Hippie Headband

Headbands are as practical as they are stylish. For girls with long, thick locks, pixie cuts, or anything in between, wide headbands are a chic summer go-to. They help keep your bangs off your forehead and your hair out of your face so you can look cute even if you’re sweating. They add a hippie-ish vibe to any outfit, and you can style them so many different ways that you can buy a few and have one for every outfit!

Posted in Trends | Leave a comment