"U Can't Touch This..."

I've been checking out the new fall arrivals for different retailers and...

Urban Outfitters

Nordstrom

Macy's

All I think of when I see these is...MC Hammer pants are back!!


I don't think I can get on board with the Harem pants trend...

Useful Apps

Here are a few apps that I have that are actually useful in everyday life (sorry Candy Crush. I love you, but you eat up all my time).

Buycott

This is a great app that helps you support companies who support causes that are important to you and avoid ones that work against them. You choose campaigns that matter to you (no animal testing, no GMO's, fair trade, etc.) and can then see what companies do not support those causes or practices. It may surprise people what some brands and retailers do not support...The most helpful part is being able to scan a bar code when you are shopping and finding out if the purchase would support a brand or company whose practices you disagree with.


GymPact AND Workouts

I use these in combination.

This first app basically holds you responsible for working out. You can earn money when you complete your scheduled workouts and lose money if you don't. You pick what you want to wager (ex. $5) and then if you do not complete your scheduled workouts for the week, that money then goes into the reward pot. If you do your workouts, then you earn money from that pot each week. You do not get a lot of money, but having money involved at all keeps you motivated (let me tell you...).


The second app has the workouts I hold myself responsible to do. This app provides really good workouts at different levels, time lengths, and types (you can focus on one area or you can just do cardio, etc.). The app does have a free version and a PRO version ($), but I have been using the free version and have found plenty of great workouts to use. I actually look forward to working out (WHAT? who said that?).

Nextdoor

This is an app that will force you to be social with you neighbors (given that it is a social network for neighborhoods), but also help keep your neighborhoods safer by offering open communication between all neighbors. It can be useful- maybe a pet got out of your yard? You can let your neighborhood know to keep an eye out for it. Some cities and police have been encouraging people to use Nextdoor because they think it will lead to safer neighborhoods.


Hipmunk

This is a helpful travel app that compares flight prices across all airlines, helping you to find the one that works the best for you (info includes: the airline, the type of plane, flight times, the number of layovers, if there is Wi-Fi, etc.). It is easy to just open the app and type in where you want to go and discover how to get there the most cost-efficiently (you can also search hotels). Plus, the chipmunk is adorable.

Sleepcycle

This app is helpful in discovering what your typical sleep pattern is. The app will also be set to wake you up when you are at your lightest sleep in the morning. It will still wake you up before your alarm time, just at the time that will be the most restful for you. Overall, if you are just a curious person and want to know statistics about how you sleep, then this is the app for you.

TWC

This is the weather channel app (obvi). I like it a bit more than the weather app you get on the iPhone. It's more visually appealing and I've found it to be more accurate and gives you more information about hourly weather.

WOTD

"Volumptuous."

I'm not sure where this originated from, but I heard it today.

"She looks volumptuous..."

A variation of the word voluptuous...

Is it a compliment? an insult? I can't decide...

Gradual Tan Moisturizers: Jergens vs. Nivea

I have pasty white skin that I try to protect from sun damage, so I have to use some type of tanner during the summer months. I am not a big fan of self-tanners because it is difficult to get a natural-looking color. Instead, I tend to use gradual tanning lotions that work as a daily moisturizer that slowly gives you color. These are better than self-tanners because they provide color that is not over-bearing and tends to look more natural. Your skin doesn't just go from zero to sixty, so to speak.

I usually use the Jergens brand, but this year I decided to try the Nivea brand and see which one I like better. After a couple of months of trying out the two different gradual tanners this is the conclusion I have reached:

Jergens:  

                                                   photo: jergens.com

Pros                                                                                      

-This gives a quicker and darker color  

Cons

-The color can be uneven until you use it for awhile

-The scent is a bit strong                                                    

Nivea:

Pros

-This has a better scent and is good as an everyday moisturizer

Cons

-The color is not as strong and it disappears easily, so you have to be consistent in application

Conclusion: It is difficult to decide between the two, but I recommend using Jergens in the summer when you need strong color and then using Nivea the rest of the year when you just don't want to be pasty.


Don't forget to exfoliate before using!

Trader Joe's Haul

Like many, I love Trader Joe's. The following items are what always seem to make it into my basket when I shop there. I call them The Essentials:

Sweet Chili Sauce

I use this on everything. In particular, with rice, or in a stir-fry, or as a marinade, or a dip...

Soy Chorizo

This is both tasty and cheap! I use it in all sorts of recipes. My favorites are a pasta casserole and in sloppy joes.

Roasted Seaweed Snack

                                                                   Photo: traderjoes.com

This is one of my favorite snacks. It isn't for everyone, but I really enjoy it and seaweed is chock-full of vitamins.

Speculoos Cookie Butter

I can't eat gluten anymore, so this has sadly become a purchase from the past, but I still recommend it to everyone. It is too delicious. My favorite way to eat it was just a spoon and the jar.

Powerberries

What are they? Dark chocolate-covered dried berries. I put up a post before about them being one of my addictions and it's true. Once you start eating them it is difficult to put them down.

I could include more Trader Joe's items that I love, but then the list may never end...

Necessary Summer Hair

Hairstyles I prefer for summer involve no heat. It is often too hot to use hairdryers, curling irons, straighteners, etc. I look for cute and simple hairstyles. The following three are my go-to:

Beach waves

-I know that a lot of people use Bumble & Bumble Sea Salt Spray, but I prefer to use John Masters Organics Sea Salt Spray with Lavender. It doesn't make my hair feel as crunchy and the lavender helps moisturize and adds a nice scent. I spray it on when my hair is damp and then scrunch it. I have ridiculously straight hair, yet this still manages to add some volume to it.

-An alternate way is to loosely braid or twist your hair the night before. I get more defined waves this way. I use the sea salt spray, the pin up braids or twists (so I don't get the kinks from hair bands). I like to use slightly damp hair, because if it is too wet, it doesn't dry fully by morning.

Braids! (side, fishtail, Heidi)

- I alternate between a loose messy traditional side braid, a fishtail side braid, or fishtail pigtails (ha). I try to add a little volume to my hair before braiding it, so it does not lay flat. The sea salt spray is useful here. I usually add a floral headband (like the daisy one I mentioned in this post).

- I do two different types of Heidi braids. One way is to braid pigtails and then pin them up (folding the ends under) on top of my head. The second way is to french braid my hair around my head. It's easiest to do the french braid from one side and braid normally on the other side. Start at the crown or the side, work your way around your head, braid to the end of your hair and pin the braid to your head.

Top bun w/ style

-Finally, I often go to the old stand-by (particularly for HOT days) of the top-of-head bun. I give my hair some volume with the sea salt spray and then I usually like to messily wrap the bun and secure it with either a hair band or pins. Some alternate ways to style it include adding a floral headband (my fav), adding a bun bow (which you can make yourself if you don't want to spend $28 on one), or I will sometimes flip my head over and french braid the bottom half of my hair leading up to the bun.

Outside of the trusty ponytail, these are the hairstyles I rock during summertime.

My Teen Dreams Release an Adult Drink

                                                                              photo: itv.com

Hanson has released a beer called "Mmmhops"(seriously, could the name be any better?? *chandler voice*) and this makes me endlessly happy. I could go into how much I loved them when I was 12, but I will spare you the details.

I'm just grateful that this was not released when I was a minor, because it would have broken my little tween heart that it was something Hanson-related that I could not have (it also would have been questionable for them to release this at that time as well).

I look forward to trying this beer in the future. For now,  I can just follow its twitter account. (yep)

My suggestion for the next release is:

"Where's the Lager?" or "Thinking of Brew"

Oh yeah, and I think they should name their brew house : "I Will Come to Brew"

I could continue with beer names..."A Minute Without Brew", "Look at Brew"... Oh and here's a very failed attempt: "w(rye)d" haha, that one's so bad, but I tried...