Sometimes less is more

Sometimes less is more...especially when it comes to make up!

I always struggle when trying to write a post on makeup and beauty products because it's not really my area of expertise. I only started wearing makeup when I was about 20. Being the fashionista that I am, one would think that I would totally be into makeup, but for some strange reason I'm not. I'm all about things looking natural, so I guess that's part of the reason I don't have much interest in makeup. I do receive compliments and questions about my makeup routine from time to time so I thought it would be a good idea to recap it. I've done posts on my makeup routine before and a video which you can check out HERE but it's been a while so here is my current makeup routine and products that I like for not only affordability but for the a natural look and no skin irritation (Hello to the ladies with sensitive skin, I feel your struggles!)

Step 1: Making sure I have a clean face. I always carry facial wipes around because I hate when my skin feels dirty!

Step 2: Apply Primer; This Arbonne primer is honestly amazing! I've gotten so many people hooked on it because it leaves your skin feeling like silk...literally! Also it’s all natural and is great for people with dry or sensitive skin. (You can purchase this by clicking HERE)

Step 3: Apply BB Cream; I know this isn't actually called 'foundation' BUT I use it as one! I honestly thought it was the same thing as foundation but apparently not lol (See what I mean I'm horrible when it comes to make up). I love it because it is so light on your face and it makes your skin look clear and like it has a natural 'tan' to it! 

Step 4: Apply Blush; I use Carol Baker, which I actually got awhile back when getting my makeup done for my birthday. I just started wearing blush and I love it! This specific one goes on super light and gives you a 'rosy’ cheek' look, which is super cute for spring/summer. Again this is a high quality product that is from Visage (Seriously become a member at Visage you get wicked special offers when you sign up! Not to mention they are great at doing eyebrows)

Step 5: Apply Eyeliner; Okay is it just me or is eyeliner a pain to put on! I can't use liquid eyeliner because it just takes too much focus and when it comes to makeup I'm not about that lifestyle...lol. I like to use a pencil liner because I find it easier to apply. The thing with pencil eyeliners is that you need to find one that goes on easy so you don't have to do like 10 layers just for it to show, I find Rimmel works best and I just stick with dark black for colour.

Step 6: Apply Mascara; I find it so hard to find mascara that doesn't 'clump' or that doesn't bother my eyes. I love this one because it doesn't leave my eyelashes clumpy. Unfortunately will never be able to buy this brand again because I got it in Italy as a gift! Boo! I still haven't found one that I LOVE but one day I will (if you ladies have any suggestions please do share!)

Step 7: Apply Lip Balm; Fun facts about me...I HATE lipstick! I don't know why but lipstick just doesn't work with me. My throat gets sore for some weird reason and I just hate the feeling of having it on my lips, not to mention I'm super paranoid about it smudging and me not knowing! Instead I use a coloured lip balm or lip chap. I usually go with Maybelline Baby Lips; it comes in a ton of cute colours. Red or pink tones are my favourite and I find look best on me. 

P.S My makeup bag is from Victoria Secrets (I LOVE it)

So there you have it 5 products and it literally takes me less than 5 minutes. This is my makeup routine for any occasion...Yes even fancy night outs and weddings. Like I said I'm all about the natural!

If you are interested in purchasing any Arbonne products let me know and I can get you a discount! You can check out their products HERE.

Have a beYOUtiful day and a fabulous long weekend!

Stephanie xo

Smoothies for Breakfast

 

Good morning! Do you ever wake up in the morning and crave something specific?! I don't usually but today I woke up craving a refreshing smoothie. I love smoothies in the summer for that specific reason, they are super refreshing, nutritious and delicious! I thought I would share it with all of you today. Also I put in a video below that I did a few months back on 'How to Build a Healthy Smoothie'. The one I made today is the one I make in the video minus the coffee :)

1/2 banana
1/2 cup Almond milk (unsweetened)
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp. all natural peanut butter
handful of spinach
1 scoop protein powder (I used Vanilla)
dash of cinnamon
Blend all ingredients in a blender and enjoy :)
 

 

Have a great day Everyone!

 

Stephanie xo

My Full Upper Body Workout

Hey Gang! I know some girls hesitate to do an upper body workout because they feel they will "look like man". Unless you are lifting a crazy amount of weight (I'm talking like SUPER heavy) and you are eating a crazy amount of calories, or you're on steroids, then this will NOT happen! I will use myself for example; I have the type of body that builds muscle pretty easy but I still do upper body workouts. What I like to do is a full upper body workout, where some like to split it up by doing multiple upper body workouts a week focusing on one or two muscles.

Here is one of my full upper body workouts

I always like to start with a warm up. Usually I will do 20 minutes on the Stairmaster, but you can use any type of cardio machine. Also I try not to rest too long between each set (1 minute max)

Shop This look

SHOES, PALMIER SWEATER, LEATHER LEGGINGS, TEAR DROP NECKLACE, SILVER RHINESTONE WATCH

Good morning lovelies and happy Monday! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend; it was definitely a HOT one! Not that I'm complaining at all. Zara's was having a HUGE sale this weekend (You would know if you are on their mailing list...Get on that if you aren't!) As soon as I saw these black, grey, snake print shoes I fell in-love! Then when I looked at the price and saw they were ONLY $20 I fell even more in-love. To brag about these shoes even more, they are SUPER comfortable, it honestly doesn't even feel like I’m wearing heels. Seriously how can you go wrong! I paired it with leather leggings, a Corvid color tank sweater, a tear drop necklace (which I'm absolutely in love with!) and some cute accessories. I have put the links above, under the picture. 

Happy shopping!

Stephanie xo 

What to do with ripe banana's

I never go a day without eating at least half a banana. I am seriously addicted! I love adding them to smoothies, oatmeal or having it with peanut butter; but what do you do with banana's that are just too ripe to eat? Well throwing them out would be a waste, so here are some recipes that you can make with your ripe banana's :)

Healthy Banana Bread 

Ingredients: 

2 medium-sized ripe bananas

1/2 cup rolled oats

3 whole eggs plus 2 egg whites

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp baking powder

2 scoops of vanilla protein powder

Nuts of your choice (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Mash the bananas up really well, and whisk in the eggs and milk. 

3. Blend the rest of the dry ingredients into the mix until it takes on a batter-like consistency.

4. Spray a loaf pan and pour in the batter.

5. Bake the banana bread for about 35-40 minutes, or until a fork comes out clean when you stab it. One loaf makes about nine 1/4-inch slices.

Pancakes

Ingredients :

1 whole egg plus 2 egg whites 

1 small ripe banana

1. Mash the banana and crack the eggs in it, stirring until the mixture becomes somewhat homogenized.

2. Heat a greased griddle or frying pan on medium heat and pour about a 2.5-inch wide puddle of batter. 

3. Delicately flip the pancake after about 25 seconds or when it browns. The recipe makes 3-4 small pancakes.

FREEZE THEM AND USE THEM IN A SMOOTHIE!

Easy Shortcuts To Looking Stylish

Being stylish doesn't come natural to everyone so I wanted to share some of my easy tips to looking stylish :) 

1. Go for classic basics: What I've learned is to invest more in classic and basic items that are always in style. I wrote a post specifically on a capsule wardrobe (click HERE). This type of wardrobe is stylish and great because you can mix and match all your classic items and never go wrong.  

2. Find style inspiration. Hello Pinterest!! I find Pinterest is a great place for people to go and look for some style inspiration. Whether it is a celebrity or a fashion blogger, find someone that has the same style sense as you and shop the look. 

3. Use accessories. This is probably my go to when I have no idea what to wear or if I just can’t seem to channel my inner fashionista (yes I have those days). I keep my top and bottom simple and basic and I spice it up with a pop of color or print, with my shoes, a bag and jewelry.

4. Be Confident In Your Choice of Clothing. There is nothing more stylish (in my opinion) than being confident in what you are wearing. It's all about posture and poise. Make sure to hold your head high and walk like you feel confident! 

Have a wonderful weekend lovelies! 

Stephanie xo

My Top 3 Health Tips

I got asked the other day in the gym if I could give my top 3 health tips what would it be? There are soooo many tips that I could give but if I had to pick just 3 that I swear by, it would be these:

 

1. Drink lots of water: I drink at least 2L of water a day, sometimes up to 4L! It is so important to stay hydrated and to drink lots of water, water helps keeps thing regular especially when talking about your digestive system.

 

2. Get your sleep! I don't know about you but I need my beauty sleep. If I don't get at least 7 hours I'm a complete disaster the next day. Sometimes if I don't get those 7 hours I will take a power nap at some point through out the day, whether it's on my lunch or after work before the gym. Sleep is so vital for your health!

 

3. Listen to your body. I just started doing this about a year ago. I use to be one of those people that follows a certain plan. Eating every 3 hours even if I wasn't hungry, going to the gym and following a very strict workout routine even on days when I was super sore or sick. I found once I started listening to my body that's when I started to notice a big difference. Not necessarily the way I looked but the way I felt! Your body is amazing and it has its way of speaking to you. Now when I'm hungry I eat, if I am sick or sore ill rest. Listen to what your body is telling you and do what works fore you.

 

So there you have it! What are your top 3 health tips?! I would love to hear them :)

 

Stephanie xo

FOOD DIARY

Hey! I wanted to share with you gals (and guys) a food diary of what I ate today. I get asked so often what I eat in a day and I feel a lot of people like to see this to use as a guideline. I use to be the type of person to plan my meals out every 3-4 hours but to be honest with you I've changed that. I have been intuitively eating for a while now. basically what that means is I eat when I'm hungry and i don't if I'm not. I like to listen to my body.

Breakfast: Proats (protein powder & Oats) with berries, chia seeds and chopped walnuts

Snack: Protein shake ( I like having a shake that has added greens for the extra nutrients)

Lunch: Salad with raw veggies and grilled chicken

Snack: Apple with almonds

Dinner: 2 small extra lean turkey sausages with veggies and baked potatoes

I hate going to bed hungry so if I am I will include a third snack which is usually a rice cake with a tbsp. of peanut butter. Something not shown in this picture becasue I didnt have it at the time is dark chocolate!!Pretty much everyday I have a piece of dark chocolate to satisfy my chocolate craving. I also include at least 2L of water a day, plus 2-3 cups of coffee made with almond milk and stevia. This is just an example of what I ate, I don't eat the same thing everyday and it ins't always healthy. I like to have balance :)

 

Stephanie xo

CURVY HIPS AND RED LIPS

Good morning Gang!! I haven't done a 'shop this look' in a while so I thought I would share one of my favorites so far this week! As I mentioned before in other posts, every women should own a little black dress. It is so versatile and can be worn with pretty much anything! I paired it with a cute red heels, cause I mean what girl doesn't like black and red?! You could also pair it with leopard print flats or even a cute pair of sandals. To shop this outfit click the links below :)

DRESS, SHOES, SUNGLASSES, WATCH, BRACELET

Stephanie xo