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Archives for July 2014

Choose Flattering Necklines for Your Body

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Women’s collar bones are so gorgeous, so it’s important to choose the right neckline for your body to properly show it off! I like to sweep some discreet sparkles or shine powder across the collar bone and decollete. Date night? Must do.

There are many different necklines for you to choose from and you should consider which is best for you based on two elements: the specific occasion and your body type.

Photo Order: Cowl Neck, Boat Neck, Crew, V-Neck, Button Up, Halter

Some necklines are more flattering for certain body types than others! Choose your neckline based on your own shape, rather than the most recent trending look and style. Dressing for your body type is a well known tip and should be followed in regards to the neckline also.

To my large chested friends:
First off, not fair 🙂

Boat and crew necklines are great for larger chested women. Try to steer clear from v-necks and deep scoops in work settings. Boat necklines look great on larger chests because it shows skin without showing too much, especially for the work hours.

Heart shapes are very flattering on busty girls, great for evening dresses! For night outs, and fun, you can definitely rock the v-neck. My opinion for night outs…if you got it, flaunt it! Within reason of course…

To my small chested friends:
Us small chested girls have it a little more simple because we don’t have to worry about showing off too much or being too revealing. Both a blessing and a curse. Small chested girls look great in v-necks and scoops. Cowl-necks are great to add some extra volume. I love to pair a cowl neck with a delicate long necklace.

For night outs, small chests are lucky to be able to wear plunging necklines while still looking sophisticated.

To my curvy girls:
Boat necks are a great option for you. This cut balances your body and accentuates your shape nicely. Boxy necklines create contrast to your body and elongate your neck.

To my athletics girls:
Halters are flattering on muscular women and really show off those beautiful sculpted shoulders. It also can add an allusion of more curves, which can feminize the body. Scoop necks too.

Let’s all play!
Halters are universally flattering for all women! Collars and button downs are great choices for work. A lower scoop crew neck makes your neck appear long and lean, so its a must do to show off that collar bone.

Strapless is harder to pull off. If you’re small chested you will be pulling it up non-stop and if you’re large chested you will be fearing popping out non-stop. SO in most cases, I personally steer clear from strapless, unless it’s a very special piece.

None of these rules have been set in stone and I’m not saying that these rules must be followed! If you’re confident, you can pull off anything!

How Every Woman Should Think Regarding Their Health

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Your body is different than everyone else’s body. Pretty incredible, right? So naturally, you should be treating your body by its own needs, not others. You wouldn’t eat strawberries because someone said they were good for you if you had a terrible allergy, would you? So don’t immediately take these quick “health fixes” you hear about without seeing how your body reacts to them.

I spoke with the incredible nutrition coach Lindsey from Nourished Coaching once again to discuss this fact. She explains the importance of individualizing your health experience rather than a blanket approach since our bodies are all so different! One size does not fit all! Throughout her coaching she has seen many women trying different fast tricks that they have heard about, without reflecting on their own bodies and how it personally affects them.

Lindsey explained that there is a huge struggle with people trying to understand nutrition.“There is so much information out there claiming to be the way to better health, weight loss, clear skin, etc. It’s overwhelming, complicated, and totally un-individualized!”

She explains how there will be research stating one nutrient is good for you, while another source is claiming its ultimate demise for the human body. When a diet works for Bobby Sue, or Cameron Diaz, it won’t necessarily work for you! Therefore, confusion is a recurring problem she has to help clients understand in her coaching.

While we were on the topic I had to ask if there was one nutrient that she would say most individuals need to consume. Lindsey explained that she was “a huge fan of foods that offer a nutrient complexity: meaning they have loads of nutrients to offer that work together to boost health and wellbeing. So it’s hard to single out just one.”

But I did get her to place some emphasis on the importance of one nutrient, and that would be good ole’… omega-3 essential fatty acids that come from flax and chia seeds. She clarifies that omega-3s don’t only come from fish but also plant-based foods. Along with those fatty acids comes fiber, vitamins, minerals and some protein, making them nutritional powerhouses that have a ton to offer.

Lindsey spilled her overall advice for living a healthy life…

Let go of the idea of perfection and just get curious about how the food and lifestyle choices you act upon daily truly make you feel. Yes, eating healthfully is so important, but if you stress over it too much, you’re going to counteract all of the goodness on your plate. Relax, savor, and have fun connecting with your body. Getting healthy isn’t an all or nothing endeavor, it’s a journey that has no there. Things are constantly changing so be flexible and focus on progress. 

Check out Lindsey’s other interview on current health controversies.

Four Braids for Short Hair

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Braids have always been my answer when I don’t want to fix my hair, which is far too often. Any day when my hair is especially messy, braids are my go-to answer.

With short hair, it has been more tricky to get braids to work in a quick manner. I do miss my long hair when I think back to the ease of braiding long hair, but braids are still possible with short hair! It simply takes some more hair product, and some patience, to make it stay and to smooth away fly aways.

I would definitely recommend a gel or cream when creating braids with short hair, like BB Grooming cream. Let’s not even get started on how quickly I can go through this product!

These 4 looks have been great to do with short hair.

1. French Braid + Braid

This look is simple to pull off but automatically makes you look more stylish. Simply grab three pieces at the front of your face and begin to french braid. Then, secure with a bobby pin. After completed, simply do a typical braid underneath to make it thicker and push nearer to the french braid to disguise the normal braid.

2. Waterfall Braid

The waterfall braid is perfect for a bob! I love how you can use this braid to give more umph and body to your roots! After I braid it and pin it, I pull up at the top hairs to give more lift.

3. Bun Braid

Then, for those days that your hair is extra atrocious…braid bun! I french braid to the nape of my neck and then pull all my hair to meet it. Then, simply twist all your hair into a bun.

4. Fish Tail

Fish tails work just as well for short hair you just have to hold your hair at the top rather than the bottom when starting the braid.

Which braid do you like best for short hair?

How to Reach your Lofty Goal

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Instant gratification. We are so spoiled in many aspects of our lives where we get immediate results. However, many of the best things in life that we desire are not instantaneous, like a challenging goal. You have to continue to work at a goal before you can reach it. You have to put in a little effort each day. Then, before you know it, it has happened, quite suddenly. However, it’s not sudden because you had gradually been putting the work in. You may not have even noticed once you reach it!

Apply this theory to your lofty goals. Whenever you set out to accomplish something, give yourself a break and just take it day by day. The most successful person gradually worked hard each day until, suddenly they were a ROCKSTAR.

For instance, you may be eating healthier each day, until you have lost that extra weight. For instance, you may be adding in short quick workouts each day, until your body is a muscled masterpiece. For instance, you may be praying more each day, until you’re completely relying on the Lord. For instance, you may be learning a couple vocabulary words each day, until you’re a walking dictionary.

What I’m trying to say is do not be frightened at a distant goal. Take it day by day and you will naturally begin to move in that desired direction. People and circumstances do not change over night!

People who share my sentiment::

  • Gradually Get An Awesome Body by Bikini Body Mommy
  • Gradually, and then Suddenly by Seth Godin

The sweet sweet weekend is here! Have a great weekend.

Continue moving to a goal, no matter how slow you’re going you will eventually reach it!

How to Style a Maxi Dress

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Immensely enjoying the beautiful Summer weather and the ease of throwing on a simple dress and calling it good. Summer has sunshine, relaxation, and carefree dresses going for it, winter hardly even has a fighting chance!

I’m so happy that this maxi trend has stuck around. But what’s not to love about them? Maxi dresses are the easiest look to put together: step into a maxi, add a sparkling piece of jewelry and heels. Voila! You’re a stylish masterpiece in 3 minutes.

Easy Maxi Dress

I’m currently a big fan of bold prints on maxi dresses, the crazier the better. Florals, stripes, and animal prints can really dress up the casual look of a maxi and add even more fun!

When I go with a solid, I usually spice it up with a large statement piece of jewelry. The piece should turn some heads! I like this tortoise bracelet, geometric necklace, and statement ring.

Maxi Dress

Fashion

David Kahn Floral Maxi. Lucky Brand Wedges. Michael Kors Watch. Freida Rothman Rings.

How do you style your Maxi look?