Stars & Stripes







Happy Memorial Day! I hope you're enjoying the long weekend and taking a moment to celebrate the patriotism and sacrifice of those who have so selflessly served our country. I thought it would be a fun occasion to pull out some stars and a few stripes for the day! It's also the unofficial start to summer, yay! This is my favorite season, and I'm so excited for more beach days, travel adventures, getting out on the water, evening grilling and dinners on the patio. Happy Monday!
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What's In My Bag: Summer Beauty Edition





Summer is here, and it's time to switch over the makeup and beauty favorites for a lightweight, more bronzed, beachy look. These are a few of my latest favorites that I'm bringing along in my beach bag, and packing in my travel tote for some summer trips. 

Face: When it's hot and humid or I'm headed out to the beach, I don't like to put on a full face of makeup. Instead, I'll start with a quick moisturizing lotion/self-tanner combination and use that as a primer. Lately I've been loving this one by St. Tropez which gives a natural, glowy color without being obvious. 

To combat shine and even out my skin, I'll dab on a light veil of this Tarte foundation which is oil-free and all natural. It's great for a long day in the sun when you don't want anything to melt off your face.

Finally, a quick swipe of a punchy lip color will highlight a tan and instantly pull your look together. Summer is the perfect time to bring out those corals and bright pinks. I've been alternating between these two colors by L'Oreal. 

Body: As much as I love the beach and spending time in the sun, I'm also pretty mindful of the amount of sun exposure I get. A beautiful tan makes everything look better and is definitely part of that fabulous, beach babe look; however, in order to avoid skin damage and wrinkles later, I like to use a bronzing mousse from the St. Tropez line. The color is beautiful and natural, with a bit of an olive undertone to create a gorgeous glow without looking orange. I use a tanning mitt to apply it and have found the application to be extremely easy and streak-free. 

In addition to a healthy glow, it's important to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. For travel, I'll bring along a tiny lotion with coconut and shea butter that I use on both my hands and body to keep skin feeling fresh post flight. 

One of the best things to keep in a travel bag is a small roll of floss; Cocofloss is my new favorite. It is infused with coconut oil, smells amazing, and has the tiniest hint of sweetness to help freshen up while on the road. I have both the Cara Cara Orange and the Strawberry flavors!

Before heading out the door, I'll dab on a little bit of perfume. I'm a bit of a fragrance chameleon, so I've found that it is hard for me to finish an entire bottle of perfume. Instead, I'll often opt for a rollerball that can be brought along for midday touch ups or travel. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue has been my go-to for the past two summers; it is light, clean, and reminds me of the cool, crisp sea air. 

There you have it! What are your go-to beauty favorites for summer? 
I'm always looking for suggestions!
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10 Tips To Get In Shape For Summer

I'm delighted to have my friend Erin Storie here to share some of her top health and wellness tips to get you in the best shape for the summer. In addition to her many accomplishments as a professional triathlete for Team USA, she's also a world traveler, newlywed (married fellow Team USA athlete Logan Storie) and bloggerIf you looked up the definition of 'Superwoman' in the dictionary, I am convinced you'd find Erin's photo next to it. Seriously, this girl is incredibly talented, fierce, hardworking and beautiful. Scroll down to read her tips to help you look and feel your best! 


Spring is in full bloom, and summer is just around the corner. This means it is the perfect time to get happy, healthy, and fit. 
Here's a few of my top tips to help you look and feel your best!

1. Detox from Sugar- Sugar has been shown to increase heart disease, stroke and obesity. It's time to get over the sugar addiction; a lot of foods and drinks today have processed and additive sugars in them. Sugar makes us groggy, our bodies can’t process it, and it makes us gain weight. Instead, add natural sugars into your diet like fresh fruits and veggies, honey, etc.

2. Try Overnight Oats- This is one of my go-to breakfast / anytime snacks. It's super easy and I love it because you make your own creation! This Peanut Butter version is one of my favorites!

Ingredients
OATS
1/2 cup unsweetened plain almond milk or any milk of choice
3/4 Tbsp chia seeds
2 Tbsp peanut or almond butter (creamy or crunchy) I use Wild Friends Nut Butters
1 Tbsp maple syrup (or sub coconut sugar, organic brown sugar, or stevia to taste)
1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats

TOPPINGS
Sliced banana, strawberries or raspberries
Flaxseed meal or additional chia seed
Granola
Any other toppings or ingredients : nuts, fresh fruits, dried fruits

Instructions
1.  Add almond milk, chia seeds, peanut butter, and maple syrup (or other sweetener) to a mason jar or small bowl and stir with a spoon to combine. The peanut butter doesn't need to be completely mixed with the almond milk (doing so leaves swirls of peanut butter to enjoy the next day).
2. Add oats and stir a few more times, then press down with a spoon to ensure all oats have been moistened and are immersed in almond milk. Cover securely with a lid or plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator overnight.
3. The next day, open and enjoy as is, or garnish with desired toppings (see options above).
 
3. Invest in Iron, Multivitamins, and Probiotics - I am not a big fan of taking western medicine. I try to be as natural as I can. There are a few vitamins that I take every night:

  • Iron- It is the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to transport it throughout your body. 
  • A multivitamin- I want to make sure I’m getting all my nutrients in a day. Most come from food, but this is used as a back up. 
  • Probiotic- It is a "good" and "helpful" bacteria that helps keep our gut healthy.


4. Mental Cleanse with Yoga- This a great way to stretch and stay active, while finding a peace within ourselves. Yoga helps give us a break from the outside noise and a place to be stress free and really relax.

5. Find a Training Partner- Your friends, parents, Facebook group, pets, anyone can help us achieve success! Training with others keeps us motivated on the days that are hard, they hold us accountable, and it’s more fun with someone else. “Misery loves company!” ;)

6. Make a Change- Challenge yourself to try and learn something new. We will grow from the experiences we have in life, both positive and negative. Change something up in your regular routine so you don't get stuck in a rut. Try a new hair style, or a new breakfast recipe. This keeps life fun and allows you to really find what you like and don’t like in life.

7. Drink Water- There is nothing more purifying than water. It is zero calorie, pure, and refreshing on those hot summer days. It is also SO important for the human body, so hydrate every day, and it will help you lose weight. Replace those heavy sugary drinks for water, water, water.

8. Learn to Read Food Labels- This is one of the best fitness tips I can give you. Don't let those industries trick you with what is really in your food. Research labels for hidden ingredients, learn what is going into your body, and buy fresh food or food with few ingredients. Stay as pure as you can, and just be educated.

9. Buy New Apparel- If that means spending a little more, do it! It pays to buy the right size sports bras and shoes. Having the right size shoes will prevent you from injury (I suggest Brooks). The right sports bra fabric will prevent chaffing, and the right socks won’t give you blisters (My favorite is Swiftwick).

10. Sleep- My final tip is to sleep more! Sleep makes you feel better, and its importance goes way beyond just boosting your mood or banishing under-eye circles. Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and more. Go to bed early, wake up early!


Be sure to keep up with Erin as she travels the world and trains for Tokyo 2020!
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Print Paradise







Weekends are the best time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the sunshine. With many of my projects wrapping up over the last week, the weekend plan was to invest some time reading, getting some goals set for the next few months, and preparing for upcoming travels. There's something about getting away to the beach that helps me to clear my mind, energize the spirit, and allows me to get focused on preparing for what's next. Do you have a place where you can go to relax and recharge? It is essential that we take time every now and then to breathe and prepare for the next season of life.
On the weekends, I like to dress comfortable and casual. This romper is the easiest to throw on and head out for a day of island exploring, beach time, and late afternoon lunch.

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May Motivation





Happy May! We've begun a new month and this means it's time for new inspiration and a progress checkpoint! I've mentioned that one of my habits is to check in at the beginning of every month and evaluate how much progress I've made toward my personal goals. Sometimes I feel as though my progress has been made in leaps and bounds, and other times it seems as though it's only baby steps, but nevertheless, I take a quick personal inventory of where my time and efforts have gone. It's good to know where you are along the journey; your checkpoints serve as a GPS, helping you to stay on course. Part of this process is focused on the words I allow to encourage and inspire me, and I wanted to share a few of the things that have been motivating me lately. What is inspiring you this month? How are you doing on your progress toward your goals?


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