Itsy Bitsy Bikini Time
The heat index is rising and so are the nerves for anticipation of donning that hot new bikini you just bought. A little thigh jiggle, arm jiggle and butt jiggle can keep anyone from hitting the beach with confidence.
Looking for a speedy solution, ladies? With these quick tips you will have your beach bags packed, flip flops flopping and the only thing you need to worry about is what summer beach music to put on your iPod and which new summer read to bring.
Suit Up!: I’m not talking the TV show “How I Met Your Mother”, I’m talking a bikini that accentuates your best features. If you have thick legs, skip the boy shorts. Wear solid colored shorts and a print top, so eyes will immediately be drawn upward.
Green with Envy: Sip on some green tea and you will feel confident strutting your stuff whether it’s poolside or beachside. Green tea helps rid your body of extra fluid, helping you feel less bloated.
“Yoga” Get It Girl: It takes just one class to feel the difference. Not only does it help tone and help you shape up, it leaves your mind and body rejuvenated ready for to soak up the sun.
Tan Your Butt Off: Get the glow and you are ready go. I highly suggest going with a faux tan before your strut your stuff so as not to blind the beach crowd, a tan also tends to hide all those little imperfections (cellulite, stretch marks, oh my!)
Posture Makes Perfect: When you carry yourself well, you look amazing. So stand tall, shoulders back and tuck in that tummy. Try not to slump in your beach chair creating those extra rolls — and no, not the good kind.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
A bikini is a thoughtless act ~Esther Williams
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Say (no to) Cheese!
It’s right there in front of you.It’s an image that will haunt you forever.
It’s an image that will have you pushing away your favorite treats and saying hello to the treadmill.
Take one bad snapshot or look at an awful photo tagged of you on Facebook that involves two double chins, arm bats scarier than the Vampire craze and calves the size of a baby cow — and you will vow to never pose in front of a camera again.
Yes. Half the time these photo victims are the only ones that see the flaws.
Nonetheless, here are some tips that will leave you camera ready and Facebook-photo approved:
Show Some Side: Turn partially sideways to the camera, point one foot in front of the other Paris Hilton style.
Chin-tastic: Always pull your head forward slightly to rid photos of the ghastly double chin.
Flab Free: Be sure to hold your arms slightly away from your body keeping arm flab to a minimum.
Just Like Mom Said: Shoulders back and chest forward.
A Few of My Favorite Photo Things: Tan - check (yes very Jersey Shore-ish of me). Solid color outfit - check (this tends to elongate your figure).
Give these tips a shot, after all, as Christina Aguilera would say, “You are BEAUTIFUL”!
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
The rarest thing in the world is a woman who is pleased with a photograph of herself ~Elizabeth Metcalf
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Who Wears Short Shorts!?!
Who wears short shorts?
Michelle Obama wears short shorts!
It’s all over the news, everywhere we look there she is wearing *gasp* shorts!
Some may call it scandal, some may say “how dare she?” but I believe she looks comfortable, sassy, stylish and in amazing shape. Good for you, Michelle!
Here are some tips on how to pull off the short shorts look yourself (as we all aspire to have legs like the First Lady)..
For the thin and petite (lucky girls): Cuffs. Cuffs. Cuffs. To make your body have a longer, leaner silhouette, reach for a pair of mid-thigh length, cuffed shorts. When choosing shoes, try wearing wedges or heels, these shoes will instantly lengthen your body.
For the tall and lean (wishful thinking!): If you’re tall and have a thinner, boyish shape, super short shorts will make you look like a giant. Mid-thigh or bermuda length shorts with give you some shape and make you look tall, but not TOO tall! For daytime, choose cute sandals. For night, go ahead and wear heels. Show off that height, think America’s Next Top Model!
For the petite and curvy (work those curves, girls!): Pick shorts that hit mid thigh and flare away from your body. Cuffed shorts are always great for that. Remember to pick solid colored shorts. If you like patterns, stick to patterned tops to draw the eye up, not down. When choosing shoes, always opt for heels or wedges to lengthen your body.
For the tall and curvy (show it off!): Tall, curvy women want to avoid skin tight shorts, shorts this style will only make your body appear bigger. Bermuda shorts and knee length shorts without pleats look great! Wear shorter, mid-thigh shorts if they flare away from the body and are paired with the right top. Wedges and heels will give your legs a nice shape, but you can also wear sandals.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
Eat my shorts! -Matt Groening, The Simpsons
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Say Yes, Yes, Yes to Sales!
It’s what every girl dreams of finding.
She searches high and low looking for that magical, mystical, amazing power of the sale rack.
After digging through mass piles of clothing and finding the buried treasure, it makes it that much sweeter responding to a well-deserved compliment, “Why thank you and it was only $10!”
If you love bargain shopping you’ll love the following end-of-season sales, provided by Forbes.
Nordstrom Rack: It’s hard not to feel naughty when shopping at Nordstrom, it’s all fashionably fun until you take a glance at the receipt and eek! There’s good news for Nordstrom addicts everywhere and it’s called Nordstrom Rack. Even better news, a selection of shoes, apparel and home goods have been marked down by 33-60 percent. Think it can’t get any better than that? Just you wait, Nordstrom Rack outlet stores are hosting their mid-month New Arrivals event, which features merchandise from its traditional stores discounted by at least 50 percent off of the original price.
Macy’s: Macy’s certainly is a miracle and never disappoints when it comes to the sales rack. Those on the hunt for back-to-school steals will find 50-75 percent discounts on clearance clothing and shoes. Now that deserves a parade!
Athleta.com: One trip to Athleta.com and you’ll see it’s an ahhhh-mazing fitness clothing destination. What’s more amazing is its end-of-summer sale, swimsuits are discounted by up to 70 percent, a wicking tricot zip-up is marked down from $84 to $50.
Filene’s Basement: Filene’s Basement is quite the find! This gem always offers 30 percent-60 percent off department-store wares, but because traditional stores had more difficulty offloading merchandise this spring and summer, outlets like Filene’s are benefiting. You’ll find everything from Coach gear to Dolce and Gabbana dresses, often up to 80 percent off.
Anthropologie: Favorite. Store. Ever. Check out all of the markdowns on this fave’s vintage-inspired women’s wear and home goods. Indie fashion brand Storee’s draped plaid dress is marked down from $148 to $70.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping. ~Bo Derek
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Beauty Buff: After Workout Glow
It’s no secret that when you feel good about yourself, you will have a great workout and vice versa. Even experts theorize that wearing makeup improves your overall confidence, which ultimately leads to better posture and balance. According to Self Magazine, a report by L’Oreal Research in Paris revealed that women over 60 who use various types of cosmetics every day have better stability than those who pass on primping.
Now ladies that doesn’t mean cake your face with makeup before a long run, or hop in the pool with mascara loaded eyelashes. That is unless you prefer the clown or raccoon look.
Here are some simple primping tips that will leave you with a simple, classic and chic after workout glow.
Quality Face Time:
Make sure before you apply any makeup you always wash your face, try a pore cleansing face wash like Bliss Pore Perfecting Facial Polish. This comes in handy after a long, hard, grueling workout.
Moisturizer is key to helping you keep a perfect natural glow without too much makeup. My everyday favorite is Clinique’s Moisture Sheer Tint. Not only does it provide SPF 15, it has great coverage for that desired natural look.
Bronzer is essential in creating the no make-up look, but it must be done effectively. Or if you prefer, apply a blush that is a rose color, or mauves. All of these colors are guaranteed to help your complexion pop with freshness! Apply the blush or bronzer on the apples of your cheeks, the bottom of your chin, a little dab on your nose and a swipe on your forehead. This will give your face the look of natural color that isn’t overdone. Remember, less is more. I love Benefit Cosmetic’s bronzer and benetint! Both are easy to find at your nearest Ulta Beauty.
Eye Caramba!
Always try to go light and try to choose neutral colors such as browns and sand colors, olive colors work great too! Use the darkest colors in the crease of your eyelid and blend upwards towards your brow. Apply a hint of Vaseline to your eyelids and rub it in to make your eye make-up look very natural. Covergirl always has great, cheap options and can be conveniently found at any drugstore, superstore or grocery store.
Skip the eyeliner and stick with an eyelash curler. Then apply mascara (preferably waterproof), like Urban Decay’s Big Fatty Waterproof Mascara.
Pucker Up!
Last but not least, your lips! I prefer the no-lipstick look and apply everyday ChapStick, it’s simple and safe with SPF 15. If I am going out for a night on the town I step it up to lip gloss. Just because you aren’t in junior high anymore doesn’t mean you have outgrown Lip Smackers amazing scents and flavors.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
Kiss and make up–but too much makeup has ruined many a kiss. ~Mae West
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Bikini Bummers: Say No More!
Sun, sand and it’s finally time to go shopping for the perfect bikini this summer. For me the classic song “she wore an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie yellow polka dot bikini” runs through my head while I’m in the depressing dressing room. As I look in the mirror and carefully examine each ensemble, I quickly want to turn to a full piece with skirt and all!
I’ve decided it’s all in my head (plus dressing room lighting is always a sad sight). Here are some tips that will have you feeling confident in your new summer bikini in any store’s lighting.
- Curb Your Mood: Before you decide to start your shopping adventure for a new bikini get in a good workout. As soon as you break a sweat your good-mood endorphins will kick in increasing your self-esteem.
- Don’t Fall Victim to Trends: Sure cut-out swimsuits may be the hottest new trend in swim fashion but that doesn’t mean it works for everyone. Stick to the classics and styles you know look good on your body and you are bound to be a happy camper.
- I Think I Can, I Think I Can: Upon that first look in the mirror don’t look in it with disgust. According to Self Magazine if you look in the mirror and grin you will send your mind the message that you are happy with what you see
- Mirror, Mirror: Focus on your favorite features instead of focusing all of your attention on flaws–maybe all of those crunches are finally paying off!
- If the Suit Doesn’t Fit: Take it off and blame it on the suit’s style. Just like clothing each style fits differently. Find the one that works for you!
- Location, Location, Location: Envision yourself playing in the sun and sand to see which suit works best. It will look different out in the open compared to under to fluorescent lighting.
Urban Girl Fitness Quote of the Day:
They were doing a full back shot of me in a swimsuit and I thought, oh my God, I have to be so brave. See, every woman hates herself from behind. ~Cindy Crawford
