Pretty Pretty Princess...

{Top- (old) J. Crew, Pants- (old, but same style here) Loft, Shoes- (old) J. Crew, Necklace- (old) J. Crew}

Every time I wear these shoes I feel like a little kid - are they not "Pretty Pretty Princess"-esque?  Sometimes by Friday - that's just what a girl needs...  TGIF!

Fashion Fridays - #29 - Stressed Out Boyfriends

{Images via}

Boyfriend jeans seem to be all over the place these days - and I love it!  There's something so chic about a distressed pair with a feminine heel.  It always adds an "I-don't-care" vibe to any outfit (though you know you most definitely DO care)!  Here are a few pairs that are currently available...

 

{Gap}

 

{Old Navy}

 

{J. Crew}

 

{Madewell}

 

{Urban Outfitters}

Fleece-Lined Fun!

{Dress- (old, but similar style here) Asos, Shoes- (old) Dolce Vita, 

Necklaces- (old) Express & Juicy Couture, Watch- Michael Kors}

Comfy yet cute in this swing dress from Asos.  I bought this last summer, but the fabric is pretty thick so it still works for winter with tights.  Speaking of tights- have you tried the fleece-lined kind?  Amazing!!!  I stocked up at TJ Maxx this year, but here are some that are currently available online at Target...you'll thank me...  ;) 

Splurge {vs} Save - #29 - Charcoal Cleansers

{Left- Boscia, Right- Biore}

I recently caught on to the charcoal cleanser trend.  Apparently charcoal products have been popular for quite some time in the East, but are just making their way to the U.S.  Supposedly the charcoal in these cleansers draws out up to 40% more dirt than a basic cleanser.  Sounds good to me!  Boscia offers a 5oz version for $28 or you can go to your local drugstore and get Biore's for $6.99 for 8.46oz.  I'm using Biore's now and I love the tingly clean!

Thrifty Thursdays - #29 - 6 Reasons You're Not Saving Enough — And How To Change It

{Article via} 

Confession - one of my New Year's resolutions is to finally get serious about savings...I think this article pretty much sums it up...

Sure, women are bringing home the bacon in record numbers these days, but what if you're still not reaching your maximum earning potential?  Enter: DailyWorth, a destination that supplies financial decision makers (that's you!) with both indispensable money expertise & a serious dose of entrepreneurial confidence.

As a financial advisor, working with clients is often a lesson in psychology.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the same old excuses for why people aren’t saving more money or saving at all.  The truth is that these excuses are just coverups for chronic, self-sabotaging behaviors.  And, I can relate: I’ve used a few of them myself.

We all have financial demons that lurk in our subconscious and get in the way of making smarter money decisions.  Whether they stem from our childhood, our experiences with peers or partners, or even our DNA, these negative messages remain in the background of our minds, clouding our better judgement.

And women seem particularly susceptible. Studies show that women save less than men, invest less than men, and create financial plans less often than men.  Women also live longer than men, make less than men, sacrifice earnings more than men, and are much more vulnerable after divorce or becoming widowed.  Clearly, the need for women to save more is greater today than ever before.

So, why aren’t you saving enough?

The key to your success lies in your ability to understand and confront the truth behind your excuses.  Then it’s a matter of taking a few simple steps to break the cycle of bad money behavior.  Here are six real reasons you’re not saving enough and what you can do to change it. 

Translation: You spend everything you make.  It’s all too easy to have your hard-earned money vanish in a few quick swipes of a card or clicks of a button.  Without making a conscious effort to set aside savings on a monthly basis, you will most likely spend all of your income.  Doing so then gives you the excuse that you don’t have anything left to save.  So, you don’t.

Solution: Automate.  Set up an automatic paycheck deduction to contribute to your 401(k) or recurring transfer from your checking account to an IRA to force yourself to save, even if you don’t think you can.  Start by maxing out the amount you can contribute to your retirement account each month (at least as much as your employer matches — you can always scale it back if need be) and aim to also transfer $100 each month into a “curveball” account for those periodic “uh-ohs.”  This will help keep you out of debt.

Translation: You are trying to fill an emotional void.  A spa treatment and new pair of shoes here, a weekend getaway or extra round of drinks there — it is easy to justify overspending.  The occasional indulgence is healthy, but remember that allowing yourself too many treats will undermine your savings goals.  Whether it’s insecurity, jealousy, sadness or anxiety, emotions are a powerful fuel for frivolous spending that can quickly add up — and, ultimately add to the stress that triggered it in the first place.

Solution: Reframe your thinking around what you deserve.  Sure, splurging can provide a temporary fix for your emotional void, but the high only lasts for a brief time.  Even worse, it is usually followed by guilt and regret.  Don’t you deserve financial security and a comfortable retirement more than the fleeting buzz of instant gratification?  Yes, you do.  Remind yourself of this on a regular basis.

Translation: You are a chronic procrastinator.  It is easy to use the excuse of bad timing to justify putting off what you should be doing now.  But, the fact is, you may not earn more in the future or as soon as you would hope; plus, most procrastinators who do ultimately make more money end up increasing their lifestyle to match their increased income, only perpetuating the vicious cycle of not saving.

Solution: Start saving now.  Even if it is a seemingly insignificant amount, the sooner you get into the habit of saving money consistently, the better.  Then, if you do end up making more money, it’ll be easier to add to your savings rather than starting from scratch.  Remember, the key to long-term wealth is not timing the market, but time in the market.  So get going.  Now!

Translation: You are not ready to change your bad habits.  It is easy to use debt as an excuse for not saving and can make sense if you’re being charged a high rate of interest every month.  However, saving is a good habit that takes practice, and in order to stay out of debt in the future, you need to have some savings.  Otherwise, your old, bad habits will inevitably get the best of you again.

Solution: Make a commitment to saving something in a separate account every month in addition to your debt payments.  Even though you might not pay off your debt as quickly, you can at least help yourself avoid falling into further debt by having some savings available when you need it.  It is also easier to increase your savings once you get into the habit of doing it at all.

Translation: You don’t have a plan.  It’s amazing how much time we waste on watching TV or browsing the aisles in Target, and yet so few of us take any time to think about what we want in life and how to get there.  Sure, it may seem overwhelming or impossible to achieve, but just taking a few simple steps can help you wrap your brain around what life could be like in the future and motivate you to work towards making it a reality.

Solution: Take as little as 15 minutes to consider your financial goals.  Set an appointment for yourself on your personal calendar, if necessary.  Write them down.  Then prioritize them by time frame and importance.  Try to assign each goal a target amount (this will probably require doing some calculations).  The next step is setting up dedicated accounts for each goal with monthly automatic transfers from your checking account.  Keep your list of goals in a highly visible place or multiple places so that you can be reminded of what’s most important to you on a regular basis, which will help keep you focused and accountable.

Translation: You pay yourself last.  Whether you have scaled back on work to be a caretaker or are spending all your discretionary income on your kids and/or their college savings, women all too often focus on the needs of others, thereby neglecting their own future security.  But, given all of the statistics regarding women consistently under-earning men, living longer, and the risk of divorce and widowhood, women need to be saving more for themselves today than ever before.

Solution: Pay yourself first.  Just like you are supposed to put your own oxygen mask on before a child’s in the event of an airplane emergency, you should prioritize your own savings in order to ultimately save those you love most.  This means dedicating as much income as possible toward maxing out your personal retirement account (whether 401(k) or IRA) before contributing to any education savings plans or spending unnecessarily.

Pointed Ponies...

{Top- Kohl's, Pants- (old, but same style here) J. Crew, 

Shoes- Michael Kors, Bracelet- J. Crew, Earrings- (sold out) J. Crew}

I've been eyeing these leopard pony hair flats for a long time - but I need another pair of leopard shoes like I need <insert obscene amount of anything here>.  When they went on black dot clearance for an extra 60% off though- why the heck not?! 

Wellness Wednesdays - #29 - 10-Minute Moves For Strength, Speed and Agility

 

{Article via}

Super-fun workout alert: Leap into these moves (based on Equinox's Blockbuster Body class) designed to make you stronger, faster, and more agile. 

 

Scorpion

From hands and knees, push into feet and raise hips to come into inverted V position with knees slightly bent and weight equally on hands and feet.  Lift left leg back and up, bending knee so flexed foot points up.

Keeping hips high and left leg up, hop right foot toward hands; move hands forward and repeat hop.  Continue for 30 seconds; switch sides and repeat.  Too hard?  Keep both feet down for entire move. 

Push-up 180

Get into plank position, hands below shoulders and body in straight line from head to heels.  With core strong, do 4 push-ups.

Walk feet to right, turning body to balance on right hand and outside edge of right foot with left arm up (side plank).  Keep walking feet around to turn body faceup; put left hand on floor (fingers forward) and raise hips.

Reverse movements to return to starting position; repeat on other side.  Continue for 60 seconds.

Roll down rollovers

Sit with knees bent and feet on floor.  Slowly roll down to lie on back; extend legs, reach right arm overhead, bend left arm so hand is by shoulder.

Roll over to left onto belly; lift legs and arms off floor.

Reverse movements to return to starting position.  Repeat on opposite side; that's 1 rep. Do 12 reps.  Too hard?  Bend leg and push foot against floor to help you roll onto belly. 

Butterfly extension

Sit with knees bent and open to sides, soles of feet together; bring hands together in front of chest.

Keeping core tight, slowly extend legs, allowing them to hover a few inches off floor (raise them a bit higher if that’s too challenging), and lean back until your mid-back almost touches floor.

Hold for a few seconds, and then slowly return to previous position.  Do 10-20 reps.

Lunge chop kick

Stand with feet together and hands clasped; raise hands overhead.  Step right foot out to side and bend right knee (don’t let it go past toes), keeping left leg straight; at same time, hinge slightly at waist and chop arms down past right knee.

Push back up to starting position and kick right leg forward while bringing hands toward chin.

Continue for 60 seconds, and then switch sides and repeat.  Too hard?  Leave out the chop. 

Shifting monkey

Stand with feet wider than hip-width, toes turned out.  Push hips back and squat low, bringing butt close to floor and arms up in front of chest; shift weight over to right side, keeping left knee pointing to side and bringing right knee forward (right heel lifted with butt hovering over heel).

Staying low in squat, shift weight and pivot feet until right knee is back out to side and left knee is forward with heel lifted; that's 1 rep.  Do 20 reps.

Sticking My Neck Out For This One...

{Top- Kohl's, Pants- (old, but same style here) J. Crew, Shoes- Donald J. Pliner}

With a high in single digits today- it's time to bust out something extra warm and comfy!  Inspired by my post on chunky turtlenecks, I found this guy for a steal on the gold star clearance racks! 

So True!

Saw this on Pinterest and had to share...so true!  :)

 

{Image via}

Tasty Tuesdays - #29 - The Best Carbs For Weight Loss

{Article via} 

Carbs are public enemy No. 1 for many women on a diet.  As much as we love pasta, bread, and every sweet you can think of, too many of us have been brainwashed into thinking carbs will make us fat.

Newsflash: They won't.

You need carbs for energy, and of course deprivation will only end in you diving face-first into a gallon of moose tracks—and that certainly won't help you lose weight.  What will is eating the right carbs.  Consuming nutrient-dense carbs with at least two to three grams of fiber per 100 calories since your body breaks down fiber more slowly, keeps you feeling full for longer.

No need to read every nutrition panel, though.  Incorporate these nine tasty foods into your meals, and you'll flatten your stomach and stay fueled all day.

Barley

1/2 cup cooked pearl barley: 97 calories, 22g carbs, 3g fiber

Swedish research suggests barley can fight hunger by raising blood sugar levels more slowly than, say, a donut, helping you bypass the sugar spike—and crash—that leaves you famished.  Pearled barley is popular, but barley groats or whole hull-less barley contain even more healthy nutrients, including 20-25% of your daily fiber in just one serving.

Green Peas

1/2 cup cooked: 67 calories, 12.5g carbs, 4.5g fiber

A half-cup of peas provides 12% of your recommended daily intake of zinc.  More known for its cold-fighting powers, this mineral may also help reduce hunger by boosting levels of leptin, a hormone that alerts your brain when your stomach has had enough.

Whole-Wheat Pasta

2 ounces dry: 198 calories, 43g carbs, 5g fiber

A British study showed that a higher intake of whole grains— around three servings daily—was associated with a lower BMI and less abdominal fat, supporting other research that links a diet high in whole grains with tinier waists.  It's key, however, to keep noodle portions between 100-200 calories (about 1/2-1 cup cooked).  Nutrient-rich carbohydrates are part of a balanced meal, not the entire meal.

Acorn Squash

1 cup cubed and baked: 115 calories, 30g carbs, 9g fiber

When it comes to winter squash, acorn squash just about knocks out the others for the "most fiber" award.  Only hubbard has 1 more gram per cup—and good luck finding that in most supermarkets.

Whole-Wheat Bread

2 slices Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Bread: 160 calories, 30g carbs, 8g fiber

You don't have to bid adieu to sandwiches, French toast, and stuffing to whittle down—as long as you read bread labels since packages touting "whole grain" or "whole wheat" may only be 51% whole grains.  Only buy loaves with "100% whole wheat" on the package with 80 to 90 calories, at least 2 grams of fiber, and less than 1 gram of sugars per slice.

Beans

1/2 cup canned low-sodium black beans: 109 calories, 20g carbs, 8g fiber

Bean eaters have a 23% lower risk of an expanding waistline and a 22% reduced risk of being obese.  While each type of bean has slightly different amounts of fiber, all good choices since they also pack protein and iron.  Just remember to rinse any canned beans to reduce the sodium content.

Air-Popped Popcorn

3 cups air-popped popcorn: 93 calories, 19g carbs, 3.5g fiber

When you're craving a salty snack, reach for popcorn instead of chips.  According to a study in Nutrition Journal, popcorn not only provides more short-term satiety compared to the fried taters, it also reduces feelings of hunger for those looking to manage body weight and watch their calories.  Plus you can nosh 3 cups of air-popped kernels—which counts as a serving of whole grains—for the same amount of calories you'd get from about 9 plain potato chips.

Oatmeal

1/2 cup dry: 153 calories, 27g carbs, 4g fiber

Half of the fiber in oatmeal is soluble fiber, the kind that dissolves into a gel-like substance that delays stomach emptying, upping the satiety factor.  Plus a study in the journal Obesity found that adding more soluble fiber to your diet may help reduce visceral fat, the deep belly kind that surrounds vital organs and has been associated with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Quinoa

1/2 cup cooked: 111 calories, 20g carbs, 2.5g fiber

A complete protein, quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids—which your body needs to build lean, calorie-burning muscle—sans the saturated fats often found in animal protein.  The four grams per half-cup serving may also help your lunch or dinner stay with you longer.