3 Ways To Have A Fit Fab Weekend

27 Jan

I had the pleasure of visiting the new Anthousa fragrance store in Seattle this week which is a beautiful combination of Parisian chic and New York sophistication. It wafts with the most incredible scents ranging from sweet white gardenia to crisp cucumber and green grass. My Mom is an interior designer and turned my onto these eco-friendly room fragrances years ago and now I’m completely obsessed. They make every room effortlessly chic and are one of those things that help life become a little more beautiful…naturally I had to share them as one the three things I think will make  your weekend fit and fab.

  1. Eat Good Chocolate: I love food, especially desserts, and I think enjoying your favorite foods in moderation is the best way to go about having a healthy diet. That said, I have a little indulgence hint…I eat really good dark chocolate (70% cocoa)  which is high in anti-oxidents and because the flavor is so intense one or two pieces completely satisfies my chocolate cravings. Right now I’m loving Theo chocolates which are made in Seattle and come in unique flavors like Ginger Rose, Hazelnut Crunch and my favorite Bread and Chocolate.
  2. Bring Home a Beautiful Fragrance: Anthousa makes beautiful room diffusers and exquisite candles that last forever and give a pure clean non overpowering scent to any room. The current special edition scent is Parisian White Tea but there are also aromatherapy scents and plenty others to choose from. The same way wearing a signature perfume makes you feel fabulous… Anthousa fragrances will do the same for your home.  They are perfect next to the bath for  your very own at home spa night plus they make great housewarming and Mother’s Day gifts.
  3. Start A Healthy Streak: Recently the internet was abuzz with the concept of starting a running streak. The principle is this… you decide to run a particular distance (say half a mile, a mile or three miles) everyday and you see how long you can keep the streak ging. I love this idea and I think since not everyone is a runner that it’s fun to open the “streak idea” up to any healthy choice. So pick one simple healthy thing…for example: eating a piece of fruit everyday, drinking water, walking for 15 minutes, starting a food journal or going to bed on time, anything you would like to make a healthy streak. Here’s the thing…it takes about 21 days to start a habit so if you keep the streak going for at least 21 days well guess what? Your healthy streak is now a healthy habit!

Happy Friday and I wish you a very Fit Fab Weekend!

-Cait

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Outfit Idea: Fun with red pants, animal print and statement jewelry

26 Jan

Red Pants, Leopard and Neutrals...and of course statement jewelry

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Every morning when I wake up I can’t wait to check out what my favorite style bloggers from Cupcakes and Cashmere, Brooklyn Blonde and Sterling Style are wearing. Seeing these real girls put together amazing outfits not only gives me great ideas for what to wear but it also inspired me to have a little fun with Instagram and  do an outfit post of my own.

After what has seemed like an eternity of rainy days here in Seattle (by the way, it’s totally true…it rains here A LOT!) I was inspired to put on the red trousers I bought at Madewell a few months ago and combat all the gray skies with some color. They are a wool gaberdine and beyond comfortable, easy to run around and do my errands in and surprisingly flattering given the front pleats. I paired them with one of my favorite crew neck animal print wool sweaters and put on a statement necklace with two big bracelets.  I love big jewelry which might be because I share a birthday with late great Elizabeth Taylor;). Nude heels helped to keep the focus on the pants and lengthen my leg line. Yes, this look is a bold but I loved it and felt so great in my pop of color it helped make the gray days fade away.

TIPS:

  • If you want to tone the look down a little you could try a nautical striped shirt and ballet flats instead.
  • If you go with animal print make sure it’s a sophisticated print like the blouse in the Polyvore collage above.
  • I love big jewelry but not big price tags so I get most of my stuff from JCrew and Forever21. It’s amazing how some $10 statement jewels can make a simple jeans and t-shirt look super expensive;)
  • The bracelets and sweater in my pictures above are old and I don’t know if you can get them anymore but if you’re interested you can click on the Polyvore collage above for details on how to get a similar look.

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Printable Workout: Perfect 10 Legs Workout

24 Jan
It’s Tuesday it’s time for another printable workout and today’s workout is all about getting strong, lean, sexy legs. It’s called “The Perfect 10″ since we are doing 10 reps of everything and you’ll feel like a 10 when you’re through!:)
This workout is great for a lower body strength training day or you can add some pushups, dips and back rows to make this a full body workout.
You don’t need any equipment to do this workout but if you want an extra challenge feel free to grab dumbbells for the lunges and steps ups. But don’t forget you’re doing about 100 reps:) If once through isn’t enough you can repeat the workout once or twice more. Skinny jeans, leggings and pencil skirts here we come!
You can print the workout here. Perfect 10 Lean Legs Workout
  1. 10 forward lunges
  2. 10 plie jumps
  3. 10 reverse lunges
  4. 10 squat jumps
  5. 10 step ups
  6. 10 leg lifts
  7. 10 single leg bridges
  8. 10 leg lifts
  9. 10 x 10 seconds wall sit (that’s 100 seconds;)

TIPS

  • on lunges and step ups 10 reps means you do: 10 on the right leg then 10 on the left leg.
  • this workout is pretty intense so feel free to work up to completing it and leave at least a day between leg workouts so your muscles can recover.
  • to modify you can do regular plies and squats instead of jumps

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Motivation Monday

23 Jan

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

I think I’m going to read this quote every morning in order to inspire my day. This weekend, I was thinking about things I’ve done that have been the most memorable and rewarding and I realized how many of those things were initially outside my comfort zone. Whether it was trying a trapeze class (both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time… a must do) or pursuing my career dreams the things that pushed me the most were also the most worthwhile.

With this in mind I’m doing a little challenge this week… I’m going to find something outside my comfort zone, one thing I’ve been wanting to try and I’m going to do it. If you’re up for it I hope you want to give it a go as well, because whether it’s a Zumba class, running 0.5 miles per hour faster on the treadmill,  a new recipe, that half marathon training plan, wide leg jeans, photography or even starting a blog I know pushing outside your comfort zone will make for a really rewarding week!

Happy Motivation Monday!

-Cait

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3 Ways to Have a Fit Fab Weekend

20 Jan

I’m always looking to push myself out of my comfort zone. Admittedly sometimes change can be a little scary but, after all, it is how I end up having new experiences and growing. There are big changes like jobs, going back to school and deciding where to live and then there a smaller changes like finally trying Indian food that while less impactful still open me up to new things life has to offer. Sometimes I love it ( like naan bread and lentils…now totally obsessed) and sometimes I’m not the hugest fan but when I make little moves outside my confort zone I find doing so makes making the big changes easier and easier. That’s sort of the theme behind this week’s “Fit Fab Weekend”…Here are three simple little changes you can make to what you normally do and hopefully you’ll find something that you love and maybe you’ll even grow a little in the process. Either way I wish you a Fit Fab Weekend:)

- Cait

  1. Swap your weekend ponytail for a fun and flirty braid. Braids are really in right now and they are a chic and simple way to add style to your weekend look.
  2. Do a little makeup update and try a bold lip. This is actually a great weekend look because you don’t need much makeup other than mascara and a great lipstick. It’s chic, polished and fun…check out my tutorial below if you want to try it.
  3. Switch up your workout routine. Variety is the spice of life and it’s how you keep seeing results from your workouts. If you usually run outside then try some hills on the treadmill, if you’re always indoors try taking your workout outside, if you’re a cardio junkie then lift some weights and vice versa. Bottom line, just do the opposite of what you usually do for a weekend workout. If you’re always running take a walk and so on…you’ll be amazed at how the change will benefit your mind and your body. The thing is our bodies are super smart and adapt to what we do frequently so that 3 mile run you’ve been doing is great, but if you’ve been doing it for 2 years you’re not burning as many calories anymore.  If you switch it up with a strength training session you’ll be amazed at the results you get. The Total Body Toning Circuit Workout Video below is a favorite from my fitness classes…but the best thing is you can do it at home!

 

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