Hope is an Energy

Everyone has their own struggle and dark story they don’t want to tell, but after someone gets so completely broken down and brought to their knees there’s only one thing that keeps them going. 

Hope.

Hope is a powerful energy. It keeps most people going without them slowing down enough to recognize it. Without hope, there is nothing to live for, nothing to strive for. 

Hope brings life to the darkest days. It brightens the darkest minds. It mends the broken hearts. Hope is another day, a new day. Hope is a second chance for a new beginning. 

Hope is the heavenly rays that shine through the clouds when it’s been storming all day. Hope is the full moon lighting up the entire sky, but only so much that you can still gaze at the stars.

Hope is that news story that didn’t have a tragic ending. It’s the underdogs finally winning. It doesn’t scare you, because it encompasses all things that are good to you. We don’t hope for bad things, we only hope for the best. 

Stop worrying, and start searching for hope, your own unique hope. When you find your own hope and your own inspiration, meditate on those things, and strive to live in a manner around those things.

xo

What is love?

It’s a taken a few painfully ended relationships, the trauma of their recoveries, and a whole lot of childish boo-hooing to really be able to define what love is to me and be able put it into any type of words, but at this time in my life, I think I’ve finally figured it out.

Love to me is the most unique and tangibly intangible feeling a person can feel. It’s a conundrum set in motion, that’s constantly playing “red light/ green light” through time. It’s the place where our hearts and our minds intertwine on a deeper level that only those sitting in the middle of it’s glory can truly understand.

Its warm and cool.

It’s struggle and success.

It can move mountains.

But one thing it doesn’t do is keep itself going alone. Love is an emotion that feeds off of  more love. Not just between two partners, but between friends, family, and the love of oneself. It can be attracted to hate, because of the difference, but true love is strong, patient, and can be self-sacrificing enough to endure the darkest of times.

Love is baffling and powerful.

When we share our love and are open to receiving it, we can get it in return ten-fold. We just have to spread it with a kind and sincere heart.

xoxo

Love the Burn: Booty Workout

No date this this weekend? Fall in love with this workout!

You don’t always have to show love to another person. Show your body some love and get it up and moving with this no-equiptment-required workout. You can easily add some dumbbells to your squats and lunges to make them more difficult. Try to squeeze the muscles in your butt as tight as you can while doing these. It really helps!

Warm-up:

Burpees!- they’re evil, but they get that heart rate up. Do as many as you need to in order to get your heart rate up. If you’re panting and starting to sweat, you’re doing them right.

Plyometrics:

2 min Walking Lunges- just what it says, instead of stepping, lunge!

rest

1 min Squats Jumps- squat and explode out of it, then repeat!

rest

1 min Butt-kickers- run in place, but try to kick your butt

“Floor-work”:

20 Glute kick backs-

20 Glute Lift Straight-leg Pulses

20 Glute Horizontal Straight-leg Pulses

20 Hamstring Curls

20 Bent-knee Glute pulses

switch legs and repeat for a total of 3 sets

Repeat the plyometric section one more time, then cool down.

(My favorite way to cool-down and unwind is with a few sun salutation, just because I’m a huge yogi.)

I hope you love this burn as much as I do! Feel free to modify the order of the workouts and the number of reps to fit your own needs.

Brief description of some of the more confusing workout here:

***I’m not a certified trainer, this is just a fun workout I created from my own personal workouts. Do what feels right for your unique body, and keep it safe if you need to.***

What You Can Learn From This Year’s Olympics

Have you gotten to watch the Winter Olympics? If not, you need to, after reading this.

There’s something so inspiring and amazing about the Olympics, but what makes them so exciting?

Maybe, it’s the genuine and unfailing talent and drive of the athletes, or maybe, it’s the fact that countries from around the world come together despite political differences and make peace happen in order for the Olympic games to go forward without any problems.

I’ve been able to look at this well respected and world-wide competitive tradition in new eyes, and wow, I think it is just that much cooler. I finally “get it.”

I’ve watched all the countries with the most power and influence send their very best athletes to compete for the gold.

Sochi was nearly forced to accept equal rights, in order to avoid a public uproar. There was the Slope-skier, Gus Kenworthy, who used twitter to advocate dog adoptions in Sochi. There was the British bobsledder who competed with an injured achilles. Irish gymnast Kieran Behan thought he had lost his ability to walk at age 10 due to a tumor, but overcame that adversity and is competing at the games.

There are many more absolutely incredible athletes, but you need to watch the Olympics to see for yourself and watch the last of the games tomorrow, to hear all of their inspirational stories for yourself.

**http://www.freeimageslive.co.uk/free_stock_image/olympic-fireworks-ring-jpg ***

My Top 20 H&M Picks

I  really love H&M. They carry amazing clothes that are, for the most part, very affordable.  What I love the most is that they have a lot of simple pieces that can be worn on numerous occasions as well as clothes that highlight the seasons’ biggest trends. I was admiring what they’re selling right now and picked some of my favorites to share with you.

For a night out when you want to show off your inner badass…

1. Leather Biker Jacket

Because mocassins are amazing, comfy, and these boots have fringe…

2. Suede Boots

When you still want to wear a heel, but keep it  neutral and casual…

3.  Boots

An eye catching knit pattern to wear to class or grab coffee…

4. Pattern-knit sweater

Something to wear with solid colors for an athletic look…

4. Pilot Jacket

Something warm and comfy because it’s Sunny one day in Florida and in the 40’s the next…

5. Faux Fur Jacket

Bright colors and floral prints for spring…

6. Romper

A cute shoe for work…or play…

7. Pumps

Just enough with the slit at the neckline to be sexy, but not sleazy…

8. Maxi Dress – black

Something to wear over an outfit  for an ethereal feel or just around your home…

9.Kimono- Black/floral

White and lace is perfect for spring, and not everything in my closet can be black…

10. Lace dress- white

Something with a flowy feel and lovely detailing…

11. Chiffon dress- turquoise

Sleek and simple for any occasion…

12. Crepe top

Another athletic jacket, because they’re a must for spring…

13. Baseball Jacket

Marble is going to be everywhere, get a head start…

14. Patterned dress

how fun are these?!…

15. Earrings with Cuffs

A fun patterned print on white is perfect, pair with heels and you’re ready for drinks…

16. Slim-fit twill pants

The color makes it simple, the pattern makes it fun. Perfect for work…

17. Pencil skirt

This fun fringe jacket is perfect to wear to the bar…

18. Biker Jacket

That geometric patterned strap makes these heels irresistible to me…

19. Sandalettes

A Chic and simple way to say “I don’t care.”

20. Jersey Top

So those are the looks I love from H&M. I hope you found something you love too!

11 Ways Yoga Helped Change Me On The Inside

To someone who’s never practiced yoga that sounds bizarre, to seasoned vets it’s so obvious. It’s that mind-body connection a yogi makes when their physical yoga practice gets taken to another level. That moment when movement, breath, meditation, and life no longer just coexists but intertwine. It’s like all of a sudden,  it just clicked.

Before, yoga was just another addition to my workout regimen. I loved the physical benefits, but that’s all I was in it for. I was stressed. I was depressed. I was anxious. It got to the point where I knew I had to do something or I was just going to give up completely. I felt so desperate for a change, so I started reading every self-help article I could about how to be happy, because I was in a rut and I didn’t know why. My digging led me to the conclusion that I needed some internal healing, and yoga was the perfect way to do it. I became aware, and took that awareness to my mat.

My life has changed in so many ways, and all for the better. I never realized how such simple, conscience decisions could drastically change myself and my perspective.  Here are some of the personal benefits I gained from digging deeper into my practice, all benefits that you can easily reap yourself.

1. I’m happier! Seriously. I’m able to see the beauty in little things. I “stop to smell the roses” more often then not these days, because being happy makes life so much easier.
2. I’m grateful. I constantly recognize what it is that’s making me happy, and everything that helps me get through each day, and I thank God for it. I highly recommend making a list of what you’re thankful for, and looking at it in the morning. It helps me start the day off right.
3. I listen to my body. If it needs to be stretched, I stretch it. If it needs rest, I rest it. I’m also more aware of the the food I put in my body, and how my body reacts to it.  It’s crazy what happens when you figure out what your body really wants and needs, and then cater to it. .
4. I’m much slower to anger. I used to just snap, but now I breathe, slowly and deeply. I get my mind to a stable place and evaluate the situation before I rush to any rash conclusions or decisions.
5. I have more courage. I don’t let fear hold me back, especially fear of failure. I take risks. I know if something doesn’t go my way, it wasn’t ever supposed to, and a lesson will be learned from it all eventually.
6. I’m less anxious. Breathing and mediation constantly help me get through the traumas of anxiety and stress. I used to let so many little things stress me out that I couldn’t enjoy my present moment. All I did was worry, but I don’t carry that heavy burden anymore.
7. I’m more outgoing. I want to spread my happiness around to others, which in turn has made me much more apt to talk to and help total strangers. I’m no longer afraid to smile at a passerby or make small talk with someone I’ve never met and may never see again. It just feels good to make someone else smile.
8. I’m mindful. I can stop and be in the moment. I evaluate the the consequences of my actions, and try to do what my intuition says is for the greater good, and act accordingly.
9. I’m in tuned with my intuition. I listen to my gut, and it’s only been steering me in the right direction. Situations often feel right or wrong, and it’s always for a  good reason. My intuition has saved me from a lot of potential mistakes.
10. I know my self worth. I’m worth something and have a lot to offer in this world, even if I’m still figuring it all out.
11. I’m WAY easier to be around. My boyfriend can vouch for me. I’m not the “Debbie Downer” I once was. I don’t carry my problems around like I used to. I even embrace my alone time, because I enjoy pondering over my own thoughts and ideas, for the first time in a long time.

There’s much more to this list, but I think you get the point. Yoga helped me find happiness again. I’m still a work in progress and have my bad moments all the time, but now I can recognize my mistakes and bring myself back to a place of love and kindness. I know my problems have never gone away, but I just look at them with a different perspective and handle them with a different mindset. I hope you can make the connection in your own practice, and see what I mean.

Namaste

My Free People Picks

Free People has always been one of my favorite brands. Their clothes have such an ethereal feel to me. They make me feel, well, free. If you like rocking a style with a vintage feel, Free People should be a go-to brand for you. There light fabrics and earthy tones are perfect for a casual date or a trip to Coachella. With that being said, it’s very hard for me to play favorites with their clothes, but some items really caught my eye.

1. Matador Hat 

2. Night Cap Florence Lace Dress

3. Shell Game Shift Dress

4.Golden Moments Tunic

5. Lotus Pond Dress

6. Heart of Gold Skirt

7. Fringe Suede Jacket

8. Floral Kimono

9. Janis Velvet Flare

10.  Heart In A Cage Maxi

11. Victorian Velvet Mini Dress

12. Fringe Crochet Raglan Dress

These are just a few of my favorites, but I would buy the whole website if I could. What are some of your favorite pieces?

10 Stay-at-home Ideas for Your Valentine’s Day Date

There’s an expectation of an elaborate and romantic night when you think about Valentine’s Day, but sometimes it’s just as nice to stay in with the one you love.  Nothing is better for your relationship than spending time alone together to really connect and communicate. I came up with a few ideas on how to make a Valentine’s night at home a little more fun.

1. First things first, ditch the cell phones, your significant other deserves your full attention, and don’t you want his?
2. The obvious is dinner, but both you and your partner cook each others meals. It shows that you pay attention and know what they like.
3. Eat your meals picnic-style in the backyard or on the living room floor.
4. If you’re creative, collaborate on a work of art.
5. Turn your living room into a dance floor and put on some music.
6. Rent a movie neither of you have ever seen.
7. If you guys are a fit couple, try some partner workouts.
8. Light some candles, and take a long sexy soak in the tub together.
9. Look at old pictures of when you first met. Reminiscing can make you fall in love all over again.
10. Bust out the wii remotes or a board game and enjoy some playful competition.

Even if you are going out to celebrate Valentine’s Day, these are all little ideas that can be used year round. Any night you two can get some alone time is important, and you should try to take full advantage of it.

Fashion Friendly Activewear

Just because fitness wear is supposed to be functional, that doesn’t mean it can’t be fashionable too. Many brands have started carrying more eye-catching pieces. Fun prints and cutouts are going to be huge this spring so why not carry those trends into your workout gear. Here’s a few stylish and workout-friendly pieces that I’m loving.

Nike Printed Cropped Active Capris $99

Nike Pro Three Inch Printed  Short $32

Adidas by Stella McCartney Studio Printed Long Tights $72.99

H&M Sports Bra- Blue $19.95

Body Angle Activewear Lace Shorts   $52

The Player by Victoria’s Secret Racerback $29.50-32.50

Anthropologie Pure + Good Striped Ruffle Jacket $98

Onzie Floral Burst Crop Legging $56

Teeki Lavender Diamond Tribe Hot Pant $66 (these are made from recycled water bottles!)

Vimmia Abstracted Racerback Bra$74

Zella Power Play Live In’ Leggings $64

Zobha Anya Bra $58

Hitting the gym is a lot more fun when you’re in an outfit you love. It boosts your confidence which can lead to a better workout, so don’t shy away from getting those leggings you’ve been eyeing, because they could lead to an extra set or two in the gym.

The Superbowl XLVIII Workout

I’m a girl who loves football. I’m pretty feminine most of the time, but if there’s a good game on, don’t ask me  to go shopping.  I cheered in the NFL in 2012 and was a competitive and school cheerleader all my life, so I know the game and get really into it.

The fact that games can run up to almost 4 hours means watching them can really eat away at my day and productivity. While a lot of people, maybe that significant other of yours, are vegging out on the couch, you can squeeze in a good workout.

After discovering the beauty that is NFL Redzone and being able to watch a bunch of games at one time, I decided my restless body needed to move, and I came up with the idea to do 25 squats every time a touchdown was scored.  Since we were watching multiple games being played at once, those squats really added up. I made it through that Sunday feeling good about myself and not bloated and full of beer or bar food.

I decided it was time to branch out from just squats and add a little more fun to the workout. These moves are easy ways to get your heart rate up and your metabolism going through the game, and it’s keeps the game interesting, because you’re always waiting for what workout comes next.

The Workout

touchdown – 25 squat jumps

interception– 25 jumping lunges

flag on the play–  25 jumping jacks

timeout–  25 crunches

player injury– 25 push-ups

commercial breaks– hydrate

half time– dance party to  Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chili Pepper

It’s just like a drinking game. If you see it in the game, do the corresponding move and try to last the whole game if you can.

If the jump squats and lunges are too much you can always tone it down and just do regular air squats and lunges. I just wanted to keep the intensity high since there’s no weights involved.

I don’t want to add too much to the list because I think this should be an exciting game, and this is probably well enough since the games are so long. If you’re not out partying for the Superbowl give this workout a try and let me know what you think.

Also, who are you cheering for? Neither are my team, but I was born in Seattle so I’m a little bias.