A Latte Lipstick

Sauna versus Steam Room

Leave a Comment

steam room sauna

Are you more of a steam or sauna room type of lady? Or, do you not really understand the difference between the two? There are pros and cons for both saunas and steam rooms. Overall, both heat rooms are a nice way to relax and it’s mainly about which you prefer – dry or moist heat.

Whether you choose a sauna or steam room, there are therapeutic benefits. When in a heat room, you will feel your mind and body start to relax from the heat in an almost sedative affect. If you have had a particularly hard few months, you may find some emotional relief from a good sweat sesh.

But if you’re looking to lose weight easily…sorry, a heat room won’t do that for you. Don’t trick yourself, this is not an easy lose weight fast option! Sure, if you sweat a lot, you will lose some weight, but it will just be water weight. If you want to lose weight, you have to do it the fair way – good diet and exercise. No shortcuts people! 😉

Dependent on your need, here’s a list for you to determine which will help you feel your best! These are just overall claims on the two, but there really isn’t much scientific evidence to back it up, so don’t live and die by these claims.

 

Sauna:

  • Relaxes your muscles after an intense workout
  • Lowers your blood pressure
  • Better option if you have conditions that can be irritated with humidity
  • Vent to let out humidity and let in fresh air
  • Made with wood
  • Average temperature of 160 – 200 degrees

Steam Room:

  • Overall detoxification of the body
  • Clears congestion
  • Airtight and very humid
  • Made with non-porous materials, like tile or plastic
  • Average temperature of 110-120 degrees

Which option do you prefer? I love the process of getting water and pouring them over the stack of rocks and smelling the deliciousness of the wood in the sauna. In a sauna, there is a vent somewhere in the room that lets out the humidity, while a steam room is airtight. And let me tell ya, it gets pretty steamy in there! I typically just go back and forth between the two.

Summer Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail with Evolution Fresh

2 Comments

**This is a sponsored post that contains affiliate links. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.

Today we are going to make one of my favorite drinks, Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail. This drink is the perfect mix of sweet and tangy and will immediately transport you to your happy place.

My favorite cocktails to serve when I’m hosting are the simplest to make, and that’s not by accident. When I’m playing bartender while friends are over, I don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen all night preparing drinks. I love fun summery beverages that don’t require a lot of prep but appear more impressive when served. It’s all about the presentation.

The secret to the quick beverage is having a good base to start with that you don’t have to make yourself. Evolution Fresh has some great juices that I use as the main ingredient in many of the cocktails that I make and I don’t feel bad about using them. These juices aren’t overly sweet and don’t have a lot of ick in them. The juice used in this Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail only has organic lemons, strawberries, and cane sugar! Simple.

Evolution Fresh

All this cocktail needs is Organic Strawberry Lemonade by Evolution Fresh, your choice of vodka, lemons, strawberries, and mint. The measurements aren’t perfected to a science, so play with it and see what works best for you. I put in a splash or two of vodka, fill up the remaining cup about 3/4 of the way. After, I squeeze in a few lemons and garnish the glass with a strawberry and lemon. Last, I mix in a few mint leaves or leave a couple on top. Voila!

This delicious juice by Evolution Fresh comes in 11 oz, 15.2 oz, and 59 oz so use your judgment based on the size of your party, or how thirsty you are if it’s a party for one 😉

What’s your favorite simple cocktail to make? Or, are you super impressive and make them from scratch? Do tell!

 

Top Summer Essentials for 100 Degree Weather

3 Comments

Hey loves! Today officially starts Summer 2016! WOOHOO!! Tell me, what’s on your fun summer to-do list? I hope a lot of laying out, sipping on fruity indulgent drinks, pool parties with your besties, and lazy days reading the latest must-read books.

Summer is supposed to be a relaxing time and I carry that approach over with my outfits too and wanted to share my summer essentials. I also asked my friends Brooke and Erica, bloggers at Pumps and Pushups , to share their summer essentials with us. 

sumer nights

I stock my closet with all the basics and then play with fun accessories.

So what summer basics should you have? Every girl should have some cute shorts in her closet that she feels good in! You know what I’m talking about! The shorts that cover just the right amount of the booty area while still being playful. Not too long, not too short, juuuuust right. Also, you need your neutral tank tops, which I basically live in from June to August. Finally, some wedges and flip flops! That’s basically the standard I wear on 100 degree weekends.

summer essentials

So the fun summer essentials to dress up my basics (besides sunscreen, ladies!!) is…

1) A humongous floppy hat. This accessory is so perfect to throw on when you’re racing out the door. Take the hat with you on any summer vacation, to the pool, or on your lake weekend. Or, perhaps spice up your usual running errands look and add the hat in lieu of your messy bun. As a plus, it covers your face to prevent wrinkles!

2) Something with fringe. Fringe is everywhere this season and will definitely be staying for summer. I think fringe is so playful and adds just the right amount of something special to a basic outfit.

fringe purse

fringe

Brooke and I are on the same page in terms of easy shoe wear.
Summer just isn’t complete with the perfect pair of sandals! I always gravitate toward a pair that can be easily dressed up with a cute sun dress or dressed down with a staple pair of denim shorts! – Brooke
Erica makes the good point of getting a bikini that won’t accidentally turn into an uncomfortable family moment… 😉
My summer staple is a classic bikini that stays put. I spend a lot of time at my family’s river house during the summer and the water is pretty murky so light colored bathing suits tend to get dingy after a while. That’s why I tend to gravitate toward black bathing suits for the river! Also I’m a big kid and like to play around in the water so having a bathing suit that won’t fall down when I jump in or stand up is essential. Now that I have a wee one, this feature is even more important since I’ll be carrying her around in it and definitely don’t want anything popping out!! – Erica
Read more about their favorite essentials on Pumps and Pushups!

SummerStaples2

What are your summer essentials? Tell me any fun vacations you have coming up!

Why Wine Drinkers are Happiest and Top Places to Drink Wine in Oklahoma City

3 Comments

Are you a classified wine drinker? Drinking wine is a must for me. Is that bad to say? I don’t think so. On occasion I get poked fun at while my friends are drinking beer in a casual bar and I’m holding a wine glass, but what can I say? Wine is the best. Also, wine drinkers are happiest.

wine drinker

As a young adult, I was allowed small sips of wine from my parents’ and they taught me how to appreciate wine. I remember going to a wine tasting in Europe when I was younger and actually sipping and trying to understand what to taste in each glass. I spit it out after each gargle of course. 😉 My point is, wine is amazing and each wine has a unique complex taste that should be noted. The fun never ends when it comes to wine tasting, and drinking, because there are endless types to try! If I had time for another hobby, I may even consider becoming a sommelier…now that would be a dream!

If you’re in the OKC area, some of my favorite places to get a nice glass of wine are:

Sidecar – While this isn’t just a great place for wine specifically, they have some great wine options and I just love the vibe of this place. They have some inventive bar chairs that are made out of cork! Check out their delicious options.

Peloton – Tucked away in Automobile Alley, some people may miss this great wine stop with over 50 wines to choose from! The wine is delicious and I love their appetizers to snack on while enjoying the main course…the wine 😉 Here is their list.

Waters Edge Winery – Who doesn’t want to support the growing wine community in Oklahoma? This is a great spot to get some locally made wine. Each wine is blended, fermented, oaked, racked, filtered and bottled in their Oklahoma facility.

Whiskey Cake – They always have a great wine list! I love how they change their wines seasonally when their food items change. Interested? Here’s their latest summer wine list.

Bin 73 – A new favorite that I am planning on going to more this summer. They also have fun live entertainment which just makes the experience even better!

 

red wine in oklahoma city

So why are wine drinkers happier?

Evidence 1: Red wine is loaded with antioxidants, which have been shown to help protect the heart. And, if you are feeling like you are benefitting your health by drinking wine… you’ll be happy about it. That’s not a stretch, right?

Evidence 2: These photos of people pre and post wine. Seriously died laughing over these great photos. I’d love to do this experiment on myself and friends!

 

Evidence 3: Quote by Celia Ramsay, I happen to love this quote and her wine.

“Even though I know how to use a Smartphone, I’d still rather go dancing than watch television, and I find nothing more satisfying than singing with my friends next to a fire. We are here so briefly that missing a single opportunity to connect with people seems a crime. That’s why we drink wine – it softens the hardness of the day, and loosens our tongues so that we may confide in a friend, share the day’s events with a spouse, or sparkle with a lover over a romantic dinner. This is why we are alive – to be together.”

Evidence 4: Drinking red wine promotes a longer, healthier life. A 29 year long study showed that red wine drinkers have a 34 percent lower mortality rate than beer or vodka drinkers. Resveratrol could be responsible for its longevity benefits. And who doesn’t want to live a longer, healthier life?

Wine doesn’t have to be expensive, I would prefer a nicer bottle but sometimes you just have to do what you can do. Here’s a list if you’re on a wine budget 😉

So what’s your favorite type of wine?

Bikini Ready 20 Minute High Intensity Workout

1 Comment

With one lake trip behind many of us, it finally feels like summer has arrived and it’s officially time to get in that sunshine state of mind. Who else has a slightly brighter perspective in summer versus winter? I noticeably feel a little lighter in the summer months. I fight to carry it with me throughout the winter but it’s just a little harder without the sunshine. Who agrees?

Summer is always a happy time but can be a little less happy if you feel uncomfortable in your own skin and not necessarily wanting to bare all in your bikini…if ya know what I mean. It can even make pool parties and lake trips a little less enticing. BUT! This summer make a promise to yourself not to let poor body image hold you back in any way!! You are a rock star! Don’t let a lack of confidence keep you from making unforgettable memories with your friends that will warm you in the colder months!  After all, you don’t have to look like a Victoria Secret model! Remember – Strong is the new skinny!

A great way to start feeling better about your body is by taking care of it and treating it right. Add more greens into your diet and add 20 minute workout sessions to your routine three times a week. You will immediately start to feel more confident knowing that you are being good to your body by eating healthy and moving more.

What are you waiting for? Join me in this heart pumping 20 minute high intensity workout! It specifically focuses on the problem areas when wearing a bikini, like the glutes and abs. And subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more workouts!

Let me know what you think of the workout! I hope you broke out a great sweat and are feeling a rush of those happy, healthy endorphins! You go girl! Wear your bikini with confidence 😉

Music: You Can’t Unfeel The Rhythm (DJ JC Radio Edit) (Pierlo) / CC BY 3.0