weight a minute

Ha like that title? I thought it was pretty clever and cheesy myself.

{gorgeous much??!! yay glamour!}

I don't know yet if this will be a longer post, but I have a feeling it will. Because, let's face it, weight is something every girl has an issue with. I mean, seriously, now matter how tiny, how big, how short, how tall a girl is, she's always got insecurities, especially in a world where the idea of one perfect beauty is always changing, evolving, regressing, and just turning chaotic.

For me? Right now, I wish I had more defined abs and waist. I wish my arms were bigger (yes bigger, because bigger arms=stronger butterfly=faster time.). I wish I was just slightly taller. I can't truthfully turn and say "Oh yeah, I love my figure." I can say that I'm much better than I was in middle school when every one I knew flirted with the idea of anorexia as something a bit glamorous, a bit dangerous, and a tiny bit rebellious. Middle school was three years of body loathing and attempts to be at peace with it.

{typically gorgeous yes, but they're having fun & they're healthy}

But, I'm not going to give you-all a long, sordid detailed story of my seven years of body issues. I am going to talk about the idea of beauty though, in terms of the body.
A beautiful person can be a size two. They can also be a size twenty. They can be short, tall, stocky, skinny, etc, etc. A beautiful person, though, understands how to be healthy and how to be happy. Those are the keys to beauty-health and happiness. A girl with a fun smile and who knows that a tiny bit of exercise and healthy food is important is a beautiful girl. She doesn't need to have a tiny waist or long legs or huge boobs. She just needs to know that she's taking care of her body and she's enjoying life.

{my beautiful friends from size 12-2, can you tell? i can't.}
So for future reference, let's do one of those fun fill out type deals.

{why weight? because the minute we can tell our true weight (no fibs!, we've already won half the battle}

I am____________
I weigh____
I love__________
I smiled today at______
I did this for myself________
I'm beautiful.

Example:
I am S. Elisabeth.
I weigh 142 pounds.
I love that I can survive swim practice.
I smiled today at my lab group's klutziness.
I did this for myself: took a much needed nap.
I'm beautiful.

PS: To magazines: I love that you're posting plus size beauties, I really do. But do you think to represent your women too you could add in the girls who aren't size twos or size fourteens, but somewhere in the middle? We're feeling a tad bit left out too!

time to lighten things up a bit...

I strive for moderation in most of the things I do, and I've been on the heavy side on this blog for a bit (besides the fact that I've been horrible at updating it!). So here is a nice outer beauty post to lighten things up on this blog.

The Perfect BlowoutOh yes, most strive for it, most pay a ton of money for it, and everyone agrees it is the simplest way of being chic and looking tres put together. {side note: be prepared for the stereotypical French words. I may be studying Spanish, but sometimes French just sounds better. Case in point: tres vs muy}

Well, after reading an embarrassingly large amount of articles on how to create the perfect blowout, and wondering what the heck a blowout was supposed to look like anyway, I have finally discovered the simplest, quickest, cheapest way to achieve the look.

1. Prepare hair.
Obviously. Clarifying shampoo, moisturizing conditioner. (or whatever works with your hair type.) Towel dry all excess by patting dry hair (do not rub it!).

2. Product.
Put in a product from ends of hair towards mid shaft. I use Garnier Sleek & Shine serum. (Good for straight, normal hair). I can't quite tell you what to use otherwise. Except for limp/thin hair use a good volumizing mouse instead.

3.Divide & Conquer
Dived hair into four parts. Clip three away and do as follows.
a) Use fingers to pull hair from scalp and blow dry. You want this perfectly dry. (if moisture stays there, it will cause frizz later)
b) Take a round brush (half bristle/half regular preferred) and dry. Keep nozzle pointed down at hair and try to dry ends first.
c) Use the cool setting and run it over.
d) (optional) Roll section into velcro rollers.

4. Finishing Touches
Let hair out of rollers, and brush through lightly with fingers. Spray a flat brush with hairspray and glid gently through hair to tame flyaways and help hold the blowout.

Done!
As someone with major chlorine damage, after doing this once, my hair finally felt soft and pretty again! And considering it normally frizzes funny, it's been straight (but not emo kid straight) all day.

beauty on youtube

I haven't done an Outer Beauty post in quite a while. I'm currently recovering from having my wisdom teeth removed, so I thought I would post some of my favorite beauty youtubers. They've got great beauty tips as well as amazing tutorials.

Michelle Phan-make up



PurseBuzz-hair


Mulzanza-monolids

I'll see you all when my cheeks don't resemble chipmunks!

the bardot bump

Okay, so we all know Brigitte Bardot is probably the textbook definition of sexy. I mean the woman is a) French (doesn't it run in their blood?!) b) genius at the innocent face c) a lover of animals and d) well.... I mean just look at her!We all can't be like Brigitte Bardot (and with some of her shattered past and possible"racism" I don't think I'd exactly like to be her either) and about 1% of the worlds population has the tiny waist-big boobs combo. Or the pouty face. Or the French "je noi se quoi" (how badly did I spell that?), but there is one thing we can all do....

The Bardot Bump
It's really quite simple. I'm off to try it once I'm done this post:

1. Part hair (how ever you like).
2. At the crown start teasing. Take hairspray and brush your hair upwards and spray (took me forever to learn this! I'm challenged when it comes to some stuff)
3. Cover it loosely with hair from the front
4. Pin back slightly to hold, or (if you're skilled enough) leave nice and free.
If you have any questions (I know I wasn't super specific) just leave them here and let me know if you give it a try!

image sources: {bardot 1, runway, bardot 2)

quirky little tips from the other blog....

I put this on my other blog Modern Dreamer a while ago, but I thought that since most of my readers of this blog don't read my other one and I've had a bunch of new readers, I'd repost it! Enjoy and if you have any other cool tips just add them on!

in the shower...
1. Steps: Shampoo, Rinse, Condition, Wash Skin, Rinse-- this way you can give your conditioner time to settle in.
2. Hey, do your face washing in the shower! You're already wet, and you'll probably save water too. I always do mine right after I shampoo.
3. Shampoo only at the scalp, & Condition from middle of the hair down to the ends.--Shampoo foam, when rinsed, will reach the ends anyway. And this way your roots won't get greasy as easily.
4. Take an icy shower.--Ok, don't go overboard and straight through. But at the end of your shower, turn the faucet all the way cold and stand for about a minute. (Or as long as you can take it.) This wakes you and your skin up. I love, love this tip. Every morning, it blasts me awake.

your face: skin

1. In the kit: Daily Moisturizer, Night moisturizer, an exfoliating scrub, a foam cleanser, a daily cleanser, toner, make up removal

2.Exfolite every other day or three times a week, but NEVER every day!! Too harsh
--A good homemade scrub? Brown sugar & milk
3. Wash your make up every night, no matter how tired you feel.
4. When applying face lotion, put a bit on your eyelashes to help condition them (it works =))
5. If you have bangs, try keeping them off your face at night, as it increase the grease on your skin & causes acne
6. Vaseline is a timeless classic for lips. At night, put some water on your lips, then put on loads of vaseline, and bam! perfect, plump lips

your face: make up

1. Products: Blush, Lip Balm, Vaseline, Simple Mascara, Lip Gloss, Red Lipstick, Pale Pink Lipstick, Normal Lip color Lipstick

NOTE: I'm not a big make up girl. I can't wear any eyeshadow product because I have monolids and it just looks ridiculous. And I've never needed foundation or anything like that, so I've just never bothered getting any. Plus when I tried to get tinted mosturizer, there was none that matched my color.
2. Dab lipstick on with your finger, it makes it ten times better.
3. Use an eyelash curler. It makes a difference, trust me.
4. Michelle Phan on Youtube--excellent make up advice
5. To help make up stay, blow a blowdryer at your face (far from it though!) for a minute or so
6. ALWAYS start with mosturizer!

your body:

1. Products: Pretty Smelling shower gel, moisturizing shower gel, radiance lotion, moisturizing lotion, & vaseline

2. Exfoliate: (I do it dry right before I hope in the shower) You can a) do a scrub of white sugar & lemon juice or b) take a dry loofah and rub all over.

3. Feet! Most important. Vaseline again is the perfect thing for feet. Dry them, coat on vaseline, and put in a sock for overnight softness. Works wonders.
3. Use your face products on your hands.
4. Lotions with little sparkles in them (usually radiance lotions) are both fun and actually work.

hair!

1.Products: volumizing shampoo, hydrating conditioner, color shampoo (made for your hair color), deep conditioner, straightening shampoo & conditioner; hair spray, dry shampoo, mouse, & gel
2. Use volumizing shampoo & hydrating conditioner for curls; once a week do the color & deep conditioner, for straight hair use the straightening
3. The best way to get wavy curls is to use a steam curler. They're quick, easy, & they do the least amount of damage to your hair.
4. Quickie Blow Out: Start with wet hair, work mouse into the scalp. Blow dry with a paddle brush, aiming the nozzle of the hair dryer down to prevent frizz. Once dry, flip over and spray hair spray. Then flip back over, spray hair spray in brush, and light brush strands down.
5. Use Vegetable/Olive Oil in your hair once in a while before you shampoo & condition to really cleanse & condition it

Finished! Thanks for reading all this, and I hope you found some useful tips.

pictures: weheartit.com & Google

healthy eating

I'm not necessarily the example of healthy eating. I'm definitely far more mindful of food than my other friends, but I still succumb to pizza, french fries, and other greasy delights (don't even get me started on my sweet tooth. I didn't have it when I was little, but now I'm more than making up for that!) but I still try and keep in my veggies and fruits (mangos are my newest discovery and they are so delicious) and drink water. I've found lately that I have to when training anyway because otherwise I get sick and drown!
Eating healthy is obviously difficult; if it was easy everyone would be fit and healthy and glowing. But it's so important, especially lately, that finding a way to make it work is the key. Probably the best way is to keep a food diary.

Personally, I fail miserably at food diaries. I get too caught up in the numbers and remembering and blah blah blah, that I just stop them or forget about them. I found this super cute way via Hi Fashion and I fell in love. I gave it a try today... (still a work in progress) and I found it super fun. It may not last, who knows, but for now I like it.
There are other ways: the diet companies (Zone, Jenny Craig), but they're always way too expensive for me, WeightWatchers (too young on my own and not fat enough apparently...), etc etc etc. I really think food diaries are possibly the best and cheapest way. You could get fancy (I used to have a blog where I took pics and posted them) or keep it simple (pen, paper, done) or be creative, either way it's supposed to help a ton. Carrie Underwood swears by it.

Good luck!

fishtail braid

How perfect is this braid? Different from the normal and ohhh so summery. Plus it reminds me of mermaids. Must learn how to... Hmmm youtube.... Found one! Here's a basic of how to do it.... Actually it's quite easy!

5, just 5...

I've boiled it down to five things a girl (or guy!) must have at all times to give off the classy put together look. Ala Audrey Hepburn.

1. Good Skin
Clear, acne free skin is obvious. No one looks good with bumps and redness all over their face. Obviously, we can't always help that, but there's a trillion acne kits out there (cheap and expensive), so a little effort=smooth, pretty skin. I'm a personal fan of Clean & Clear Products. I've been using the Deep Cleaning Astringent for some stubborn pimples/blackheads that won't go away, and it's been a week and they're already nearly gone.
Also, don't forget sunscreen! Later wrinkles are nott pretty


2. Neat Hair
As cool as the messy, bed head style looks, in reality it's kind of hard to pull off the whole day. Especially if you weren't born with Gisele-like waves. As long as you keep a good trim and keep it washed, neat hair is fairly easy to maintain.

3. Put Together Outfits
T-shirts, sweats, hoodies--none of these look neat at all. Of course, owning them and wearing them is just fine (I'm a complete victim of it all the time), but if you really want to put off that classy look, they don't cut it. If you still want comfort, yoga pants are smooth and not at all bulky, fitted shirts, etc... Personally, I think dresses are wayy more comfortable than anything in the world!

4. A Ready Smile
Really, does this need a whole lot of explanation? No one likes to be around a sour puss. Obviously, don't be a total fake about it. And don't be annoyingly cheerful to the point where everyone wants to smack you. A simple, kind smile that allows you look friendly and comforting.
Also, take care of your teeth. Brushing, flossing, etc always makes them look nicer. Plus, crooked, spaced teeth always add a kind of charm, so be proud of them!

5. Clean NailsIt sounds silly, but really how gross is it to see someone with overlong, hoochie nails or nails with unknown substances lodge under them or raggedy, bitten down nails? Chipping polish definitely gives of a slight disheleved look. Keeping nail colors fairly light so that chipping doesn't really show is a good idea, or, to keep it simple, a simple nail trim, wash, and file goes a looong way.


With these five things, everyone can look lovely =) Just remember, that an ugly personality (vulgar vocabulary, mean spirited, selfishness, cockiness) will shine through despite all this. Audrey Hepburn's charm didn't just come from her unique beauty, but from her unbelievable kindness and sweetness.

braids, braids, braids

Lately I've been obsessed with braiding hair and different hairstyles associated with it! It doesn't help that I've finally learned how to the French braid.
I think the trend setter who deserves the credit is definitely Sienna Miller & her hair stylist. Remember when she wore this and everyone was on the fence about liking it. Nowadays it's definitely a loved hairstyle!
I've tried some hairstyles out with braids myself. I keep braid my hair in different ways... (I've done cooler stuff lately, but I don't have any pics of them!)

Here's some tutorials from pursebuzz for easy, super cute braid styles. Let me know how they go!

that "glowy" skin...

Everyone wants that super healthy, radiant skin that seems to turn heads. You may have seen it on every Victoria Secret's angel or celebs when walking the red carpet, or that particularly genetically blessed girl walking on the beach (or school hallway) the other day.
Well, I've picked up some tips to achieve said skin...

Overall Maintenance...

1. Drink lots of liquids (aka WATER) I think I've given this tip before, but it's key to getting the skin you want. If you're dehydrated, it's going to show.
2. Get SLEEP! There's a reason everyone looks haggard the night after a party.
3. Wear sunscreen. I'm a total culprit of forgetting to wear sunscreen, as I don't burn. Like, at all. But I know how bad it is, so I've been trying to wear it when I'm lifeguardng or out in the sun. I've been using the spray on stuff as it keeps me fairly cool and not as sweaty.
4. Exercise. Even if it's walking around for half an hour or something. Exercising is key to keeping the blood flowing and thus having glowy skin.

Quick Steps:

1. Before a shower, use an exfoliate (brown sugar with milk is good!) and rub it all over your skin. Leave in for about a minute before rinsing off.
2. In the shower, shave any hairy areas (aka legs and armpits) and use a soft skin body wash. (I've been using Greek Olive Oil Soap...) Don't use any brushes, but only a wash cloth or a puffy thing (I forget what they're called...)
3. Outside of the shower, pat skin dry, don't rub it.
4. Immediately apply lotion with radiance in the label. I use Aveeno Radiance Lotion. If you want, you can use a gradual tanner as well. Anything with a bit of sparkle in it.
5. Put on your clothes, and you're ready to go. =) (Skin wise anyway...)

a day at the gym....

I used to read magazines that said, "Working out makes you feel sexier" and scoff because I certainly never felt anywhere near sexy while working out. My hair is usually wet from the pool, baretted and ponytailed back, my skin is dry, my face tight and contorted into some sort of strange expression from heavy breathing- in short NOT sexy.
But after being fairly dormant since swimming ended, and then starting swimming and working out again last week, I have to honestly say.... my self-confidence in my figure has risen significantly. So, moral of the story: do some sort of working out, because you really will feel better after it.
Now, not sure what to do at the gym? =)

Cardio Machine-15 minutes (elliptical, treadmill, bike)
Arm Machines or Leg Machines (Alternate every day) 3 set of 15 times
Cardio Machine-30-60 minutes
Cool Down-10 minutes

Or if you're like me, you can dance at home and blast music =)

hair, hair, hair

I've gathered some great hair tips just in time for the summer when we all want Gisele-esque waves. Personally, I want my hair to be as smooth and silky as the actresses in Memoirs of a Geisha and Asian dramas in general. It's gotten pretty dry since swimming ended.
Here are my top five hair DIYs. Eventually I will try them all.

1. Mayonnaise
It is probably the grossest thing ever, but it's not too bad. My hair felt lighter after. Just take mayo from the fridge, massage it through dry hair, wrap in saran wrap or a shower cap, and after 20-60 minutes rinse out and wash like normal. I tried this, and my ends are suppper nice again, but my scalp is greasy. So, for oily scalps, just do the ends.

2. Olive Oil
In the shower, hair wet, before anything you do, pour olive oil into your hair. Massage it in like shampoo, then rinse as best you can. Then just shampoo/condition like normal. I got a lot of compliments on my hair after.

3. Hair Sunscreen
In a spray bottle: 1 C water, 1 T sunscreen, 1 T conditioner. Shake and spray into hair before going to the beach or anywhere. I haven't tried this yet, but I definitely am going to.

4. Cornstarch
For the greasy scalp. Just use your brush to brush it through the scalp, let it sit to soak up the grease, and then shake it out I suppose. I'm still unsure of this one, as I haven't tried it yet. But I'll let you know once I have the details.

5. Lemon Juice & Water
I liked using this, but my hairdresser said lemon juice dries out the hair... I don't know. I keep seeing the advice all over, and it definitely made my hair shinier. -Shrugs- I don't see the harm in trying it though.

Let me know how your results go!

advice from the vs angels

I think the greatest models out there right now are the Victoria's Secret Angels. Miranda Kerr, Heidi Klum, Selita Ebanks, Alessandria Amrbosio, Karolina Kurkova (all pictured above) and many more present and former angels have all been spokespersons for sexiness. Yes they have killer bods, gorgeous faces, and are in every boy, man, and old man's dreams , but they also have a confidence that practically glows. I think Victoria's Secret is that her beauty comes from within and radiates out. These girls, unlike other models, smile, have boobs, look healthy, and are quite honest about their beautiful and ugly days.
So who better than these angels to give advice? I've read quite a few articles and seen videos of their tips (and admittedly many of them endorse VS), so I have compiled a top five list.

1. Drink Water
I've hear both Miranda Kerr and Karolina Kurkova list this. Karolina's a fan of coconut water; I'm curious to try it.

2. Lemon Juice
Heard this one from Karolina as well... On those bad breakout days, wash your face with lemon juice to dry out the face.

3. Steam Your Face
It really opens the pores and makes the face glow.

4. Great Workouts
The Angels thank everything from kickboxing to yoga to pilates to surfing as their ways to stay fit. Conclusion-get active.

5. In the Lingerie
Wearing nice underwear can immediately make you feel better!