Saturday, August 9, 2014
Steals and Deals of the Week
Every once in a while you happen upon a website that make life a little easier. Threadflip.com is one of those sites. With Threadflip you take the clothes that you no longer want, put it in a package (that they provide), and send it in. That's it. They photograph it, post it, and promote it. You just make money off of it. Brands range from Forever 21 to Jimmy Choo so there's something to fit every budget. If you're interested just click the link below and create a free profile!
http://www.threadflip.com/referrals/dm2d0
Ever see make up online that is appealing but you are too scared to make the commitment to buy it because you're afraid it won't be your shade, might clog your pores, or won't be worth the money? Ipsy.com makes it so easy to try new products out! Subscribe to their "Glam Bag" (link below). It's $10/month and a small bag filled with goodies for you to try out will be automatically shipped to your house! Pictured below is the "Glam Bag" for March 2014.
http://www.ipsy.com/r/1fc5m
So give these little sites a try and see what you think! There's no risk on either of them and you can cancel the Ipsy.com Glam Bag subscription at any time! Comment below if you have questions, and if you are already a member of either (or both!) sites let me know what you think!
Friday, August 8, 2014
New Horizons- Beauty and Fashion
I, like a lot of people out there, have always been a person who has many interests. I will say, however, I have not been the type of person who keeps changing my career path or what I want to do with my life. I want to be a wife and mother first and foremost. I have a passion for fitness and helping others reach their health and fitness goals. There's something new brewing though in my life.
Recently I have developed a true love for fashion and beauty. Knowing or seeing me you might not think it. Truth of the matter was, I never really knew that much about it. I didn't know how to correctly apply make up or do my hair. At 30 years old I finally started learning. I remember growing up I really didn't know that eye liner went above your lash line, not just on the water line. Seriously. I had no idea what primer was until a couple of years ago, and contouring is just something I discovered two months ago. I really feel kind of pathetic after I look back at this paragraph.
When it comes to clothing, I have always had a love for it and understood how to match items, but never really felt that I put a "WOW" outfit together. Things always seemed to look better on a mannequin or another person than it did me. Thanks to many YouTube channels (i.e. Michelle Phan, Mimi Ikonn, and Teni Panosian) I have finally found what I enjoy learning about (besides fitness!). In the upcoming blogs I will be throwing outfits together, trying new make-up looks, and giving reviews on it all from products, to
stores, to everything in between). You can learn with me! I'll also share deals and steals I find!
And just so you know, I am a girl of humble means so all of my looks will be affordable! There will be some Urban Decay and MAC, but there will also be some Elf and Maybelline. There will be some Michael Kors, but there will also be some WalMart!!! Just because I like to work out, doesn't mean I can't do it with painted nails and glittered lipstick!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Gym Ettiquette: The Dos and Don’ts of Gym Behavior
“Don’t slouch.”
“Say please and thank you.”
"Don't talk with food in your mouth."
How many times have you heard those commands? How many more have you heard your mother or grandmother say? Did you know that manners don’t stop just because you walk into the gym? There are certain rules that carry over from regular life to gym life, and there are some that were created just for the gym. There are enough to fill a book but for the sake of brevity I’ll keep it to a few basic, but important ones.
1.)
Sharing equipment and weights: This can actually go both ways. First, if you are using equipment and notice someone wants to use it as well ask him or her if they’d like to work in a set while you rest. On the flip side, if you want to use a weight or piece of equipment that another person is using, ask if you can work in a set while he or she rests. If you’d prefer to wait, you can also ask if that person if finished with what he/she is using before hopping right in and taking over. Take turns. It’s basic kindergarten manners. I actually had an instance where I shared the leg extension machine with a woman while I rested and when I asked to get back on it after she did her set, her response was “I still have two more sets.” So she rested on the machine until she was ready to continue.Don’t be that woman. Please. Pretty please. Pretty please with sugar-free sprinkles on top. (On a side note: don’t hover over equipment while you have a twenty-minute chat with a friend, on the phone or in the gym.)
2.)
Wipe off equipment: If you leave the gym without breaking a sweat, you probably haven’t exercised hard enough. With that being said, I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to go over to a piece of cardio equipment literally dripping with the sweat of its last user or a bench still bearing the imprint of the last member’s sweaty back. This is extremely unhealthy(and disgusting) because certain illnesses are passed that way (i.e. MRSA). If you ever find yourself leaving your mark on any piece of gym equipment,please spray disinfectant on a paper towel and wipe it off. Don’t spray the equipment or bench directly, as it can be bad for the material/equipment.
3.)
Re-rack your weights: For the love of all that is holy, put things back where they are supposed to go. As a small child you are taught that you are to put your toys away after you are finished playing. The same rule applies here. Don’t leave your weights out for people to trip over or cause them to go on a crusade to find them. If you are old enough to work out at a gym, you are old enough to put away your own weights.
4.)
Wear deodorant: You’d think this one would be a no-brainer but, alas, the use of deodorant still eludes some out there. I don’t know if people consistently forget to apply it or what. Please wear deodorant people. If not for your sake, then for the dozens of noses around you.
I can assure you, the list goes on for etiquette in the gym. For starters, however, stick to these three and learn as you go. Just be thoughtful and know that the “Golden Rule” is definitely one of those that crosses over into the gym.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Criticism, Haters, and Discouragement: The Negative Nancies of Living A Healthy Life
Eating a healthy, well balanced diet is good, right? Beginning an exercise program that improves your overall well-being is a great idea, isn’t it? Losing weight, feeling energized and happy, and looking better than ever should make you feel that you are on top of the world, shouldn’t it? You’d think so, but for some turning their life around and heading in that direction actually causes them a little pain along the way, and I’m not talking about the pain of exercising. No, I’m talking about the emotional pain that some endure on their journey of becoming a better version of themselves physically.
You all know what I’m talking about here. Something tells me you have probably encountered one or two of them yourselves unless, Heaven forbid, you have been one. I’m talking about what is now known as a “hater.” A hater doesn’t necessarily have to be that person you have never really gotten along with. No, a hater can be someone you know very well, maybe even love. They could be a friend, a sibling, a boyfriend/girlfriend, even a parent. I have been the subject of, and heard stories about, people who feel that it is their duty to make another feel bad because they are transforming their body into something they feel is beautiful. They make comments about someone losing weight by saying something like “they’re too skinny,” “they’re losing too much weight,” “they can’t be doing that and still be healthy,” and so on. Some haters like to criticize women for having what is (in their opinion) too much muscle. The most common comments I see on a toned woman’s picture is “Ewww,” “she looks like a man,” “gross,” “I’d never want to look like that.” They’re so original right (insert sarcasm).
There are many reasons one might stoop to that low level of cruelty and negativity. Personally, I think the majority of it stems back to jealousy and self-loathing. Deep down, they want to look like that. They want to make that change but don’t have the discipline or will power to make the change. That donut is just too good to pass up. That night out on the town with their friends is too tempting. Why get out of that nice, warm, comfortable bed to go to the gym? They just can’t do it and can’t admit that you have what they don’t- drive and determination. Having a strong, athletic, and healthy physique makes others uncomfortable and jealous because in all honesty, they want that. I read a story that said when people would tell Arnold Schwarzenegger that they’d never want to look like him he would look at them and say, “Don’t worry, you never will.”
One thing that I will say to the haters, the critics, and the discouragers out there is that you have no idea what it takes to change your entire body. The hours of physical labor, the dietary sacrifices, the money that goes into making the type of changes that you deem undesirable is something to be proud of and, at the very least, to respect. When someone commits to making a change in their body (for the better) they are excited and proud, and when you make comments to undercut and devalue their efforts of course it hurts, but it says a lot about you as a person. Think about that. Remember, you are speaking to a human being: someone’s child, someone’s parent, someone with hopes and dreams. Don’t ruin that for them. Don’t be that person who is the cause of another’s sadness and self-doubt.
To those of you who are going after their goals, understand that there will always be nay-sayers. There’s not that much you can do about it. Rise up and while you create that rocking body, you may want to develop some thick skin as well. Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t look back. Don’t forget, this is your life and you are making a change in it. A change that will not only make you look better, but make you feel better. It’s good for your overall health! Don’t forget that. It’s not just about how you look on the outside, but how you feel on the inside. It’s about getting your body to work at its optimal level and to create a better quality of life!
You all know what I’m talking about here. Something tells me you have probably encountered one or two of them yourselves unless, Heaven forbid, you have been one. I’m talking about what is now known as a “hater.” A hater doesn’t necessarily have to be that person you have never really gotten along with. No, a hater can be someone you know very well, maybe even love. They could be a friend, a sibling, a boyfriend/girlfriend, even a parent. I have been the subject of, and heard stories about, people who feel that it is their duty to make another feel bad because they are transforming their body into something they feel is beautiful. They make comments about someone losing weight by saying something like “they’re too skinny,” “they’re losing too much weight,” “they can’t be doing that and still be healthy,” and so on. Some haters like to criticize women for having what is (in their opinion) too much muscle. The most common comments I see on a toned woman’s picture is “Ewww,” “she looks like a man,” “gross,” “I’d never want to look like that.” They’re so original right (insert sarcasm).
There are many reasons one might stoop to that low level of cruelty and negativity. Personally, I think the majority of it stems back to jealousy and self-loathing. Deep down, they want to look like that. They want to make that change but don’t have the discipline or will power to make the change. That donut is just too good to pass up. That night out on the town with their friends is too tempting. Why get out of that nice, warm, comfortable bed to go to the gym? They just can’t do it and can’t admit that you have what they don’t- drive and determination. Having a strong, athletic, and healthy physique makes others uncomfortable and jealous because in all honesty, they want that. I read a story that said when people would tell Arnold Schwarzenegger that they’d never want to look like him he would look at them and say, “Don’t worry, you never will.”
One thing that I will say to the haters, the critics, and the discouragers out there is that you have no idea what it takes to change your entire body. The hours of physical labor, the dietary sacrifices, the money that goes into making the type of changes that you deem undesirable is something to be proud of and, at the very least, to respect. When someone commits to making a change in their body (for the better) they are excited and proud, and when you make comments to undercut and devalue their efforts of course it hurts, but it says a lot about you as a person. Think about that. Remember, you are speaking to a human being: someone’s child, someone’s parent, someone with hopes and dreams. Don’t ruin that for them. Don’t be that person who is the cause of another’s sadness and self-doubt.
To those of you who are going after their goals, understand that there will always be nay-sayers. There’s not that much you can do about it. Rise up and while you create that rocking body, you may want to develop some thick skin as well. Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t look back. Don’t forget, this is your life and you are making a change in it. A change that will not only make you look better, but make you feel better. It’s good for your overall health! Don’t forget that. It’s not just about how you look on the outside, but how you feel on the inside. It’s about getting your body to work at its optimal level and to create a better quality of life!
THE BUILDER |
I saw them tearing a building down And I said to the foreman, "Are these men skilled?" So I thought to myself as I went on my way... -David Sandy |
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Cellucor Creatine Review
Some may get better results than I did. Give it a try if you like by going to www.cellucor.com and use the code SaraW8701 to get 20% off!
Monday, March 3, 2014
Cellucor Alpha Amino Review
So far I have tried three flavors of Cellucor's Alpha Amino- the newest addition to Cellucor's line of products (Lemon lime, fruit punch, and icy blue razz). It was a close race between lemon lime (which tastes like lemonade) and icy blue razz- but in the end my top pick is Icy Blue Razz.
Alpha Amino is a branch chain amino acid (BCAA) "formula that fuels endurance, hydration and recovery." According to webmd.com BCAAs "stimulate the building of protein in muscle and possibly reduce muscle breakdown."
I have also tried Cellucor's basic BCAAs and can say that the texture seems to be the same between the two (a fine powder that mixed easily in a shaker). Even the lemon line flavors taste almost identical. However, I do see a difference in the concentration power of the two. Personally, I feel that one scoop of the BCAAs is stronger in flavor than the Alphas. Alphas pack more of a punch with the variety of ingredients/supplementation offered though. So it would appear this is just a matter of personal preference as to which you choose. In my opinion, both are awesome!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
2012 Thus Far
This year has been a whirlwind! We've had healing, betrayal, restoration, misunderstandings, blessings, grief, elation beyond belief, & the lowest of lows. Each one of these has given us (I mean Zak and me) a chance to get even closer and develop an even stronger relationship with God.
We moved back to SC in May after quickly renting our house in Ohio out to a very nice family. The summer was a hot, and often rocky one, but it ended with the birth of our son Thomas Baxley Willis on August 2. We call him Baxley or Beau. He is such a bright light in this trial. So far he is a mama's boy and I love it! He's such a snuggler. Zak is thrilled to have another boy.
We're still on the job hunt for Zak, but nothing yet. He's applied for over 80 jobs and has had two interviews in 9 months. We know that God has that special one for us, and in the meantime we are going to cling to His promises, stick to our budget, continue forgiving, and enjoy the time we have together.
We moved back to SC in May after quickly renting our house in Ohio out to a very nice family. The summer was a hot, and often rocky one, but it ended with the birth of our son Thomas Baxley Willis on August 2. We call him Baxley or Beau. He is such a bright light in this trial. So far he is a mama's boy and I love it! He's such a snuggler. Zak is thrilled to have another boy.
We're still on the job hunt for Zak, but nothing yet. He's applied for over 80 jobs and has had two interviews in 9 months. We know that God has that special one for us, and in the meantime we are going to cling to His promises, stick to our budget, continue forgiving, and enjoy the time we have together.
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