Gradient Glitter Nails

Nail polish is such an easy way for any girl to change her look; but lately people have been getting more and more creative with their polish color combinations and designs.

Here’s something that I did recently that turned out really cute and super girly – gradient (or ombre) glitter nails!

These are super easy – here are the steps:

1. Apply base coat
2. Apply 2 coats of color
3. Dab a line of the glitter polish at the base of the nail, then drag it down your nail
4. Apply top coat

How do you like to get creative with your nail polish?

 

How Do You Avocado?

It’s not secret that avocados have great benefits. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, check out Subway’s latest commercial and avocado promotion. Avocados have antioxidants that protect your vision, good-for-you monounsaturated fats which keeps your heart healthy, and fiber to fill you up so you actually feel full. It’s a fantastic “flat-belly” food.

Sold yet? Well if you are looking for ways to incorporate avocados in your diet, here are our favorite ways to enjoy this super food.

1. Plain Jane: That’s right, eat it as is. Many people either slice it up or just halve an avocado and enjoy the natural flavor! If you want to switch it up, sprinkle just a tiny bit of salt on it for an added punch to the flavor.

2. Smeared: Try using avocado in place of mayonnaise or cheese in your next sandwich. It helps lighten the calorie content, while adding 20 vitamins and minerals to your meal. Not to mention the consistency could easily be mistaken for the goodies you replaced it for.

3. Smoothie: We’ve all seen those scary green shakes. In reality, they’re not that bad. Since they mostly contain green foods that have no distinct flavor of their own, whatever berry or fruit you add to the mixture dominates your taste buds. Mix up a smoothie of spinach, avocados, yogurt, and bananas for a snack or meal full of goodness!

4. Martini: You can either make this at home or see if your local martini bar can mix this up for you. It’s a combo of fresh lime, basil, mango vodka, rum, and avocados served ice cold.

5. Guacamole: Who doesn’t love a good guacamole? Just make sure it doesn’t have too many added ingredients and enjoy this delicious dip on your tacos, salads, or with tortilla chips!

What’s your favorite way to eat avocado?

Finding the Right Daycare

Being a stay-at-home mom isn’t for everyone – it may not be financially feasible for your family or maybe you just need that “adult time” during the day. Whatever you choose will be the right choice for your family – but if you choose to go back to work after maternity leave, you’ll need to figure out what to do with baby during the day.

What are the options if being a stay-at-home mom isn’t an option?

• Have a family member or friend take care of the baby – not always a likely option
• Hire a nanny – if you can find someone you trust and it won’t break the bank
• Find a great daycare – if you do your research, you can find a place that you’ll be really happy with – get started with your research sooner rather than later so you can secure a spot at a great place!

So you’ve figured out what daycare options are in your neighborhood – what are some things to keep in mind or ask when you visit?

• There will probably be a registration fee – ask if it’s a one-time fee or an annual fee. Daycare is expensive and you’ll want to understand all of the applicable fees!
• You’ll want to feel comfortable with the security policies – how do they make sure a stranger doesn’t check-out your child? Are there cameras installed in the facility? Do they perform background checks and drug tests?
• It isn’t just about watching your child for the day, ask what the curriculum is – some daycares teach Spanish, sign language, or computer skills along with math and reading; make sure your child will receive the best!
• The menu is important – your baby will be sticking to a diet of only milk for awhile but what about when more solid foods are getting introduced? Make sure the menu is wholesome and nutritious.

What are some other key points to consider when researching daycares?

Moving Made Easy!

We all know moving can be daunting and very overwhelming. Personally, when I get overwhelmed, I make a plan of action. So when I moved at the beginning of this month, I was ready. Well, as ready as I could be. Here’s how I did it:

Research: That’s right I researched where and how to get my power and water turned on, cable companies servicing the area, grocery stores nearby, and got price quotes for movers.

Make Lists: I moved from a room to a house, which means I needed a LOT of stuff. Which also means I had multiple lists going on, and still do. There are so many more things you need then you think, and the only way to keep track of it all is to make lists. Then you can slowly work your way through them as you have time and funds, based on necessity.

Plan Your Time: I cannot stress this enough, you will run yourself ragged if you don’t plan your time to be used the most efficiently. Don’t wait until the last minute to look for movers or to get your power turned on, because you could be stuck without power for days. Nobody wants that.

What tips do you have for dealing with moves? Let me know!

Football 101

It’s that time of year again, ladies – football season! Now if your man is anything like mine, he’s been counting down the days for this. Hopefully this post will help you understand this sport a little bit better and make it more enjoyable for you!

This game is played with two teams of 11 players each. A game consists of four 15-minute quarters. One team is on offense and the other one is on defense. The object of the game is to score more points than your opponent by getting the ball to the opposing team’s end zone.

The offense has 4 tries (“downs”) to advance the ball at least 10 yards down the field. If the offense can’t get 10 yards in 4 downs, then the ball changes possession and it’s the other team’s turn on offense.

Ways to score points:

• Score a touchdown (6 points) – a player with the ball runs into or catches the ball in the opposing team’s end zone; this is followed by the “extra point” kick – if the kicker kicks the ball through the goal posts, his team gets another point
• Score a field goal (3 points) – if a touchdown is unlikely or unnecessary the offense may choose to just kick a field goal instead. It isn’t worth as many points, but if you’re close enough and/or you have a great kicker, it can be an easier way to get some points on the board
• Score a safety (2 points) – this is unlikely but that’s what makes it exciting! This is when the player with the ball gets tackled in his own end zone.

Between college and professional football, there are far too many teams and players to name but if you know your man’s favorite team do a quick google search to learn some of the big names – he’s sure to be impressed!

What is your favorite team?

Work Happy Hours!

It’s Friday afternoon, it’s been a long, stressful week – time to happy hour it up right? Absolutely! But there are a few things you should keep in mind when drinking 2-for 1’s with co-workers.

Loosen up and have some fun, but leave the loose lips at home. When you are trying to connect with your co-workers or just let loose and relax – you tend to open up and chat more than normal. That’s great! Just leave the work talk, any intimate/personal situations, or embarrassing facts out of the convo. You’re still getting to know these people so keep professional boundary lines in place until you can feel out the relationship. The last thing you want is to go into work Monday wondering who’s looking at you differently now, and not in a good way.

Drink but don’t DRANK. You know what we mean ladies, keep it classy. There is no quicker way to give yourself a bad name or reputation then getting “messy” when out with co-workers. Remember, while they may all be enjoying a beverage or two – these people are your professional peers or even superiors. The girl dancing on tables or worse yet, puking in the corner, is not the image you want to ingrain in their brains of you.

Ideally, you want to be the social butterfly that flits from group to group getting to know your colleagues better in a social situation without being the loud, obnoxious drunk girl or the reserved, silent judger talking to no one. Show them just how awesome you are in and out of the office.

What rules do you abide by when out with co-workers?

Braided Ponytail

Looking for a cute way to wear your hair but don’t want to have it down? I can totally relate to that – especially with these brutal summer temperatures! Try out this braided side ponytail!

Steps:

1. Start off by doing the waterfall twist braid (click the link for helpful pictures and video). Take a section of hair on one side of your head, separate into three sections, and do 2 rounds of a regular braid. Drop the middle section between the other two sections and grab another section from the next part of your head and drop it between the original two pieces. Twist the original two pieces around the dropped piece. Continue this pattern until you reach the other side of your head.
2. While holding the braid, gather the rest of your hair and tie off your braided side ponytail!

Check out this video for step-by-step instructions:

What’s your favorite way to jazz up a regular ponytail?

PB & Banana Cold Oatmeal

We all know that the best breakfast for a flat-belly is oatmeal. But during those hot summer months, or if you live in Florida like me – every month, the last thing you want to eat is something hot. So why not make your oatmeal cold? This is a spin-off of my breakfast smoothie recipe. I love it because it’s easy to mix up the “toppings” so that you are able to keep breakfast interesting and healthy everyday.

What You’ll Need:

• 1/4 c Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
• 1/4 c Low-fat yogurt (or yogurt of your choice)
• 1/4 c Reduced-fat milk (or milk of your choice)
• 1/2 banana
• Spoonful of peanut butter
• Small air-tight container

Directions:

Put your oatmeal, yogurt, milk, and peanut butter into your air-tight container and mix up. Seal and refrigerate overnight. In the morning cut up your banana on top of your oatmeal mixture and voila! Peanut butter and banana cold oatmeal – delicious and a great source of protein and fiber first thing in the morning!

You can interchange the peanut butter and banana for berries and honey, or just cinnamon if you’d prefer.

What are your favorite oatmeal toppings?

1st Trimester Food Tips

We are super excited to introduce our newest category for your reading pleasure – Miss Mommy! I am currently pregnant with my first child and thought there might be some helpful tips that I can share with you all along the way!

If your 1st trimester is anything like mine, it will [unfortunately] include that pesky side-effect – nausea. If you’re going through this, the last thing you probably want to do is eat but of course you need to! Here are some suggestions and tips to give you your best shot at keeping some food down.

• Follow the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast.
• Bland, bland, bland – this might be hard for some of you (personally, i love spicy food so this has been difficult). Food that is too spicy or flavorful can really upset your tummy so shy away.
• Don’t take in too much liquid when you’re eating.
• Keep food in your stomach throughout the day – try 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large ones.
• Stay away from anything that’s too greasy – your digestive system just can’t handle it right now.

Good luck to all the future mommies out there who are dealing with 1st trimester nausea! Hang in there!

What are some of your best tips or food ideas for the 1st trimester?

Get Rid of Those Pesky “Love” Handles!

Tired of that extra little flab hanging out around your hips? Try these easy to do, even at home, fitness tip!

All you’ll need is you, a flat surface, and a broom or something of similar shape. Standing on the flat surface with your legs spread shoulders width apart, hands holding the broom straight up above your head. Keeping your arms straight, bring them down to your right side as far as you can go, remembering to keep your arms and legs straight. Slowly, return to your starting position, then move to your left side. This is 1 repetition.

Start off doing  6 reps at least 3x, and gradually work yourself up to more. In a few months, maybe even a few days we guarantee you’ll notice a difference!

What fitness tips do you have to share?