My Hangover Cure

Finally Friday!!! Thank God. Who doesn't love the weekend? As we all prepare ourselves for a weekend of going out, theres that little whisper in the back of mind reminding us about the awful morning that ensues afterwards. True, true, it doesn't have to but whatever sometimes you don't mean to and it just happens. You wake up hungover. Well life moves on,  but sometimes it feels like it's the end of the world for a couple hours. So in order to push ourselves through a rough morning, I've compiled a list of my hangover tips for when you just can't stay in bed all day (even though that's what I did this morning).

SIP the water, don't chug!!!

This is so key, especially if you're feeling particularly nauseous. I know the feeling of waking up so dehydrated and wanting to grab a cold water and slug it back, but please for your own benefit don't. If you're not already nauseous it will definitely make your stomach turn. But do make sure to drink water, or you'll feel worse for way longer. 

Your breakfast plan: Carbs + fats

We all know we crave a good greasy meal after a long night, but the only thing that actually helps us about the meals are the carb loaded potatoes and the fats from the cheese, (and kind of the oil to fry shit). But if you;re feeling like taking a healthier approach, go for avo toast with eggs. Sometimes I ball out and go for a California Benedict breakfast and scarf it down in bed, but when I'm too broke I keep it simple with the aforementioned. 

Educate yo self: according to Labdoor magazine, eggs increase our levels of glutathione and alcohol dehydrogenase. These two molecules help break down alcohol. This goes for asparagus too. See I knew my intuition was on the right track!

Try to get outside and move a little at some point

I try to walk to pick up whatever food I need if I go out, or stick my head out the car window if it really comes down to it. I don't know what it is, but getting outside automatically makes me feel better (also why one of my favorite places to be hungover is the beach, that breeze ugh). So if possible, take a walk, even if your friends have to drag you or vice versa, or just eat breakfast on the porch. It'll help I swear!

Supplements

If you're past the point of these easier fixes or have something you really need to do that day, it's time to bring some supplements in to the game. Try the following:

• Pedialite, a favorite among college students all over the country
• Vitamin C, just any Emergen-C or anything will do, dump it in your water bottle and boom now you've hit two birds with one stone
• Now this is like extreme extreme, and I have yet to try it but seems like it would do well. Try this hangover cure connection by Lauryn Evarts. That girl seems to have it together so I trust her considering she said she drinks it every morning she wakes up slightly hungover. 

Alright kids, I've done what I can do to help our sorry asses. Now grab a gatorade and get the hell out of bed. 

Skin Cleansers for Sensitive Skin

I've been a victim of bipolar (aka sensitive) skin since I was probably 12 years old. Since then I've constantly dealt with dry patches on my cheeks but crops of blackheads in my T-Zone and fighting both at the same time is hard!! As anybody with sensitive skin would know, you want a cleanser strong enough to eliminate those pimples but gentle enough to not recreate the sahara desert on your face. The sensitive skin face wash game is a tough one at that. But at one point I finally made my way  to a dermatologist appointment, in which I've tried multiple recommendations of hers that have done wonders.

GLYTONE

Glytone is the face wash I'm currently using and have been using for about a year now. I feel like it gets the job done regarding cleaning out any bacteria build up, especially when I use it with my Clarisonic  (also recommended by my derm) 1 to 2 times a week. But i can use it on my usual dry areas and not worry about my face getting dry, red, and flakey. They have so many different formulas for so many different skin types. I personally use the Mild Gel Cleanser, it has glycolic acid to exfoliate dead skin and moisturize the skin at the same time. ($33)

CERAVE

Cerave face wash is probably the most gently wash I've found, also recommended by my derm when I first started seeing her. It's a great base, it won't dry out your skin or leave ti feeling tight at all, the only downside to it is that sometimes I feel like its not getting to the nitty gritty where I need it to. I'd def recommend for someone with little to no acne but just super dry skin. I still use their daily moisturizer every day after my Glytone wash. They have a  foaming cleanser that I have yet to try that may be a bit better, but I specifically avoid "foamy" cleansers just because of past experience with it drying out my skin. ($10)

AVENE

Avene was most recently recommended to me by my derm during one of my usual breakouts. I used it for a couple days and brought a travel size one with me during a recent trip. I found that my breakouts cleared up, but my only regret was using it on sensitive parts of my face, like cheeks and jaw, that normally get dry. It completely dried up my cheeks and I had to recover by coating my face in Aquaphor twice a day for almost a week. I would suggest either spot treatment with this face wash or for those with generally acne prone skin looking for something a little more gentle than Proactiv or something. Either way it cleared up my breakout but definitely not the most gentle on drier skin.
($20)
SaveSaveSaveSave

Everyday Makeup

My only beauty knowledge comes from YouTube, so I do not claim to be an expert by any means. But I've listed some of the things that work for me and I tend to use them pretty much every time I wear makeup. The majority of the products listed above are ones I have used for years, so for fry skin they are tried and proven ;)

1 Smashbox Photo Finish Primer 2 Clinique Superbalanced Foundation 3 Makeup Forever HD Concealer 4 Benefit Watts Up Highlighter 5 Nars Orgasm/Laguna Duo 6 Mac Mineralized Powder Finish 7 Josie Marian Black Argan Oil Mascara 8 e.l.f. Eyebrow Duo

Easy Ways To Change Your Diet for Big Results

Going on a diet is always a daunting task, and not the most effortless. Counting calories and cutting out foods can be exhausting and make it difficult to stay on track, especially when those cravings hit. But there are some simple ways to change your eating habits to lose a couple pounds. 

Drink a glass of water before each meal

It will help fill you up and curb the appetite you're feeling from dehydration.

Eat your veggies first

You should eat your plate in this order: veggies, protein, carbs. That way once you get to the fattier stuff you won't be nearly as hungry (a.k.a. fries are last)

Plan ahead

When your left with no food or groceries, you resort to any option available. So planning your meals at least a day in advance will help in the long run. 

Order first when eating out

That way even though you're intrigued and mouth watering over your friends picks, you've already chosen your healthy meal. And there's no going back now! ;)  

Don't eat out of the bag! Or carton!

You may not notice how much you're eating when you're eating a large portion of ice cream or chips, so put it in a bowl. You'll feel better about yourself after knowing you didn't eat that entire carton of Ben & Jerrys. 

Ween yourself off cream and sugar coffee

If you have multiple coffee a day like I do, that also adds a lot of fat and sugar. So start with just cream, or just sugar, you'll get used to it eventually and be disgusted by those extra extra orders. 

Eat a hearty breakfast

Your breakfast should consist of carbs, protein, and fats. It gets you off to a good start. (Also part of the Bikini Body Guide)

Go for the spices, not the sauce

Most sauces are high in sugar or salt, spices and herbs give a natural flavor without the extra calories and sugar. 

We all know the importance of eyebrows; the shape, the color, the definition. So choosing how you get them done is nearly as important as where you get your hair done. One of the biggest questions is threading or waxing. How do you choose between the two? 

Personally, I choose threading because I like definition. Although I will say, its more painful for longer than waxing is. But I think it's worth it in the end!

How To Pack Stress Free

Having a special trip looming in the distance can only mean one thing: packing, a very precisely packed suitcase. How many outfits will you need? How many dinners will you be going to?? Will the weather be warm or cold, or in between??? Do I need a jacket????!!!!

Well cool it, I've got your back. Here's my step by step guide to packing.

Check the weather

The weather app in your phone forecasts the weather for the next 10 days, and there's not much more information than you can get than that. So take in to account the temperature at your destination before setting yourself on any outfits

Have a plan

Try and get an idea as to how many fancy dinners you'll be going to and how many special events you'll be attending, the rest doesn't matter. If you balance your outfits out enough between stylish and casual a.k.a. street style, you can get away with any casual outfit you pack anywhere. 

Make a checklist

Make a checklist of how many shirts you'll need, how much contact supplies, how many shoes, etc. That way you won't pack too light or too heavy. 

Choose your outfits

Depending on how many days and nights you'll be there, choose one day outfit, and add a top or an accessory that can evolve it into a night outfit as well. Also keep in mind you may not stick to the chosen outfit depending on any weather changes, so bring a jacket and shoes for weather that will go with about anything. 

Packing the outfits

In order to save as much space as possible, I like to lay the outfits out like so: starting from the bottom - pants, shirt, intimates. Then I roll them up into a clothing burrito and toss them in my suitcase. Trust me, its a huge space saver. If you think this may damage an item or wrinkle it to no end, then roll the rest of your outfit, and lay the item on top of everything at the end.

Shoes

Shoes are difficult to pack, I roll my outfits to make room for the shoes really. Whichever way they can fit, toss them in 

Packing the extras

By extras, I mean cosmetics, intimates, accessories, toothbrush and toothpaste, contacts, etc. You get the point. After packing my outfits, I put my bras and panties and maybe bathing suits in the extra space, who cares if that stuff get crumpled. Then I put a bag of my cosmetics and a bag of my bathroom necessities in a plastic bag or two. This keeps any potential leaks from ruining your clothes. Then I put it in a side pocket in my suitcase to give some extra distance. 

Flip dirty clothes inside out

That way when you get back home you know for sure which clothes are dirty and theres no wasting laundry loads

Viola! You're packed! Wasn't that hard was it? Just make sure to set aside maybe an hour or less to plan and pack everything. 

Your Sunday Checklist for A Productive Week

Take some time to sit down and organize the week ahead of you. What else are Sundays for (besides sleeping in). Here are 5 things I do every Sunday, if not every day:

Clean out your inbox

Inboxes can get chaotic. Especially if your signed up for hundreds of shopping website e-mails like I am (oops). So it is important to purge your mailbox of any non-important items, or any items that don't need responding to anymore. It always feels better to check your email went you don't see outlying emails from the weeks prior. 

Write out weekly goals

Key word here is WRITE. Tangible checklists are much more likely to be attended to rather than the one sitting on that app...in that folder... that you never go in to anyways. Yeah, point made. In addition, physically checking a goal or list item off is so much more satisfying than deleting it off your notes or whatever app you may use. And you can pin it in a place you go regularly, your desk, your front door, a bulletin board.

Clean

Everybody is more productive in a clean environment. I use my Sundays to clean my dorm; I make my bed, clear my desk off, throw out old papers, do laundry, clean my sheets, etc.

Check your calendar

Sure you put tons of events in your calendar a couple weeks ago, but it's good to refresh your memory of the week you have ahead of you. It makes it easier to plan the non-calendar events, like hanging out with friends, going to the gym, etc. 

Organize your desk

File loose papers, de-clutter desk drawers, clean out you school or work bag if need be. It helps keep everything archived and create a clean atmosphere to think clearly in, rather than being distracted by every trinket or loose paper floating around.

What do you do to organize your week?

Image via @nomyourself

Valentines Day Gift Guide

As Valentines Day approaches, the gift panic ensues. Especially if it may be your first Valentines Day with that special someone. Thankfully, Nordstrom can be your single go to without having to check every other store in the mall. Here's some gifts compiled off their website: 

1. Gorjana 'Chloe' Small Stud Earrings  2. Kate Spade New York 'Metro' Watch 3. Tory Burch 'York' Passport Wallet 4. FWRD Comme Des Garcons Small Pouch 5. S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle 6. Golden Alphabet Jewelry Tray  7. Marc by Marc Jacobs "New Q Hillier" Hobo

 

1. Brooklyn Brew Shop Beer Making Kit 2. Herschel Duffle Bag 3. Fossil 'Fossil Q - Founder' Smart Watch 4.  Bose SoundLink Red Speaker 5. S'well Stainless Steel Waterbottle  6. Harry's Winston Shaving Set 7. UGG Ascot Suede Slipper

My Athleisure Picks

Everybody loves a good Athleisure outfit, as mentioned in my prior post. And with spring coming, you'll want to be outside way more, which means lots more walking, therefore requiring stylish comfort. Here's a couple great picks to invest in:

1.  Bandier Banana Baby Leggings 2. ALO Moto Legging 3. Adidas Stan Smith Sneaker 4. Splits59 Adrian Pullover 5. FitBit 6. S'well Sparkling Champagne Water Bottle 7. Patagonia Down Vest 8. Nike Thea Air Max Premiums