Matteo's Third Birthday Photoshoot

 

I can't believe my little man is three! Today consisted of signing up for preschool and tonight is his first soccer practice. Time is flying!

Power Outfit

One of those outfits that’s perfect for work, interviews, church, etc. and one of my favorites hands down. As soon as I picked up this blouse (one of the most flattering and goes with so much) I knew how I would style it. These colors are so fresh for summer and ads some personality and chic style to a more conservative look!

xo

How to Make a Dressy Piece Casual

Dress: Eliza J. (old, Nordstrom); Vest: Target (Who What Wear brand); Shoes: very old (Shoemint); Knot Bangle: Kate Spade; White /Gold Bangle: Vintage; Clutch: Target; Ring & Earrings: Charming Charlie

Ok so technically this isn't casual, but it's definitely a chic and stylish way to re-wear a special event dress. I love this yellow bejeweled dress I bought for a wedding from Nordstrom a couple years ago, and felt bad it was just wasting away in my closet. I was playing around with this vest pairing it over different pieces in my closet (which a good vest can be worn year-round with so many different looks) and I loved the color combo of the olive green and yellow. I paired some neutral accessories for a look I would rock out to dinner, going out downtown, or switch out the heels for nude strappy flats and wear it for a weekend look. 

xo

The Best Protein Smoothie Recipe & My Current Fitness Routine

Exercise:

So as a quick background, I’ve never loved doing any kind of strenuous physical activity or cardio, and growing up I quit every sport my parents put me in. I’ve always been petite and fortunately have good muscle tone, but as I got older and I realized I had to start working to keep that tone, and keep off weight, I struggled to find a fitness routine and quit over and over. I’ m not one for a gym, or so I thought until I started weight lifting. I don’t mean CrossFit, no way. I mean just plain, old-fashioned weight lifting. I’m still working on figuring out a flow, but I’ve recently become comfortable with my gym schedule, and honestly, I look forward to going. Right now, I’m “loosely” following the Power program on the Sweat app, and focusing on building muscle, toning, and body weight super-sets. I usually warm up first by shooting hoops for 15 minutes (I love playing basketball) which is a super fun way to get some cardio in where I don’t feel like I’m working out. Some days I just start with 5 minutes on the stair climber or elliptical then go right to my app. I say loosely follow since I don’t use their scheduled workout planner or tips, I just do the workout as is and try to get to the gym any three days in a week.  

Clean Eating:

I’ve shared my clean eating on here before, but I’ve been off/on clean eating for about three years now. When I first started it, I was so strict that if I had one potato chip I felt it ruined my entire day and I obsessed over it. That wasn’t mentally healthy, and I was starting to see an issue in unhealthy eating behavior, so I stopped and went back to regular or non-clean eating (which is not too much different for me, I’ve always ate pretty good). The second time I did CE, I abided by the 80/20 rule, meaning I ate clean during the week and ate whatever I wanted on weekends. This was the best choice for me because I didn’t feel cheated out of any cravings and it kept me more on track during the week. Then baby came, and at my six-week post-natal appointment, I was down to almost my pre-baby weight except for 9 pounds. During my maternity leave, I was so busy with little help, so I never ate, hence how I lost weight. As soon as I got back to work, well…. let’s just say I was busy with work then coming home to baby so I ate whatever I wanted whenever I could. I started to notice for the first time in my life, excess weight around my mid-section, and my upper arms were bigger. I couldn’t stand the way I was looking in photos and how none of my clothes fit, and nothing was flattering on me. I know they say to give your body a full year of forgiveness after having a baby, but to someone who was always the same size, the same weight, and never had to worry about this before, it bothered me, as little as it is. It’s still a daily struggle to not be hard on myself, but I know that the weight I put on was all me, since I had previously lost the baby weight. I know my body is now forever different after having a baby, but I can still work with it. So, I started CE again and pretty much am still doing the 80/20 rule. The good thing about working out though is that when I come home from the gym, I mentally cannot eat unhealthily so that’s a good help too.

Protein Smoothie:

While I am into clean eating and living, I am not one who goes overboard with supplements, pre-workout drinks, things people add to their drinks to make them super like collagen, oils, peptides, seaweed extract, etc. When it comes to what goes in my body after the gym, the less the better in terms of drinking calories. I’ve tried different protein powders and bars before and thought they were all nasty. I absolutely cannot drink just water and powder shaken together. Since I am a huge chocolate lover, I created a super quick, easy, healthy and delicious smoothie I make after each gym session at home with ingredients you can buy anywhere! Here is my recipe:

·         Almond Breeze- I just pour in the almond milk to the first line on my blender (this gives me enough to fill a tall Starbucks cup perfectly)

·         1 teaspoon of chia seeds

·         1 tablespoon of cocoa powder

·         2 tablespoons of PB2

·         1 scoop of protein powder (Sun Warrior vanilla is the best!)

·         1 banana

·         1 scoop ice cubes

Blend until just about smooth (I like my smoothies a little thick) and enjoy! That’s it, it is super quick and non-fussy. And I don’t top it with chocolate chips or seeds or coconut flakes like you see on Instagram because a.) that’s gross in this kind of smoothie, and b.) it’s a smoothie. To drink. Not chew.

So those are my 3 days I keep myself fit and healthy! If you have any other amazing, simple smoothie recipes, or if you use the Sweat app, let me know what you love!

xo

Casual Friday Cute

Jacket: American Eagle / Top: Express / Jeans: NYDJ / Shoes: Target / Bag: Nordstrom 

I'm lucky enough to work in a law office that is super casual since business pants and blouses are so not me. When I wear jeans, I like to pair a cute top with either a sweater or a jacket, and this spring/summer I'm all about a soft jacket. This particular one, I wear with so many things and it always looks good because of the fitted, tailored shape. This jacket is pretty old from American Eagle, so when I see pieces like this, I make sure to scoop them up! 

Staying True to Yourself on Instagram and Social Media

Goals: something to achieve. Goals on Instagram: someone to envy and wishes to copy. The first kind of goals: great. Something to strive for to better yourself. The second kind: bad. Played out, annoying, creation of social media clones.

Who would’ve thought that there are two different definitions for goals today, huh? I’ve briefly shared my opinions on the downside of social media before, but this trumps all. Probably every day you see a comment on someone’s picture that says, “omg girl you are goalz!” or “your body is goals!” or “ummm, hair goalzzz girl!” and more of the same but you get the picture. So, what’s the big problem you ask, about this type of compliment? Well first off, it’s hands-down the most annoying comment on social media. Instagram has created a clone-monster of sorts with girls who all look alike and push the same products become “Insta-famous” or proud “influencers” with everyone else trying to copy them.

It’s human nature to envy and want to be like someone you admire, and it’s normal to want to improve things on yourself, we all do it. But the problem here is that women who saturate themselves scrolling on Instagram see what’s popular and want to turn into a copy of that. There is no expression of individuality anymore, and it’s almost becoming uncool or un-follow worthy if you don’t purchase the photo package preset’s that a hundred others just did, purchase those plane tickets to AZ to get extensions from Hair by Chrissy that a hundred other girls do, or if you don’t get those eyelash extensions, those fake dipped nails, and do the BBG workouts and document your proof in a dozen different bikini’s each day.

Ladies: let’s stop scrolling and envying what you assume is someone who has it all, and has it all together. It’s no secret that Instagram shows the pretty (and most times fake or set-up for photo worthiness) side of life, but remember the grass isn’t always greener. You should never compare yourself to a stylized photo of someone online. If we could appreciate a feed for their awesome photos, adorable personality, cute clothes, etc. and then stop there, it would automatically become a more positive space. Instead of going out and copying in order to get more likes and follows which is what you think would make you happier/better, remember that real life is OUTSIDE the phone, and if you spend time living your life, being yourself, and staying true to who you are, then you wont care about the pressure of having to live and look a certain way and being sure to document it online so people don’t forget about you. You are the only you on this planet, and that itself is pretty damn powerful. And Insta-worthy too.

Be yourself. Do what you love. Live your own life.

Xo

Rainbow Bright

 

 

 Top: Target ( A New Day) / Jacket: H&M (kids dept) / Denim: Articles of Society (Nordstrom) / Shoes: Jessica Simpson Collection / Bag: Charming Charlie / Earrings: Bauble Bar

 What goes into a blog shoot you ask? Well this particular day started out cold, hence the jacket. By shoot time it was roasting, my feet were numb, I was changing outfits in my car in a busy parking lot, and my hair full on frizzed. Nevertheless, I always love doing a blog shoot. 

When I saw this top in Target it was like I got the heart eyes emoji on my face. I'm so small busted that I normally shy away from any type of wrap top (even though I think they are beautiful) but as I was looking at this top, I didn't care. I was thinking about all the items in my own closet that this top would be amazing with, so apologies in advance if you see it lots! It's a flattering, not-too-low wrap, cropped, and a peplum so what's not to love?

 xo