Simple Ways to a Healthier Lifestyle.

Summer is right around the corner and it is time to get serious about having that killer bikini body! I have definitely slacked off in my workout routine this winter and I am ready to kick start a healthier lifestyle all around! I wanted to share a few simple ways to be a little healthier that won't totally throw off your daily routine.

With the snow (hopefully) behind us until next winter and the nicer temps coming in, going on walks are a great way to stay active. I love taking my puppy, Motley on walks in the neighborhood after I get home from work. It doesn't have to be a long walk, but anything is better than sitting on the couch all evening!

Pilates is an awesome workout! I have recently gotten into Blogilates by Cassie, which is a great way to get your pilates in from the comfort of your own home! Let me tell you, you will definitely feel the burn! If you sign up for her newsletter you can receive free monthly workout calendars. You can also use her youtube channel to pick areas you want to work on! I promise you will feel so good about yourself after you complete her workouts!

Now my next tip is a give-in and I'm sure you have heard it plenty of times, but drink a lot of water! I used to drink water sparingly but once I started adding more water into my daily routine, I have noticed amazing changes! Not only does it give you more energy and shed some of that bloating, but it gives you a fabulous complexion.

Along with water, start out your morning with a bowl of fruit.

Berries are great for breakfast because they are lower in sugar compared to other fruits but give you vitamins and nutrients. As much as I love bagels, fruit is a much better option over all that dough. No matter what, do not skip breakfast! I'm sure you have heard that before, as well. Breakfast starts up your metabolism and gives you energy to start your day!

I hope these tips motivate you to change up little things to look your best this bikini season!

Easy DIY Skull Shirt

This is a super easy and super cute way to spice up a plain tee for the summer! Last year for one of our dance recital costumes we wanted to go inexpensive so we bought plain, colorful tshirts from Michael's. We decided to make each one unique to our personalities by cutting up the backs of the shirts however each of us wanted. I remembered seeing super cute skull cutouts in shirts on pinterest and decided to go for it! All I was going off of was a picture.. no directions, stencil, etc. It worked out perfectly, so today I want to share the process.

All you need is a sharpie marker, fabric scissors, a reference picture, and a plain tee from Michael's. Lay your shirt out as flat as possible and begin drawing out your design. Lightly sketch out the eyes, which are two half circles with a thin amount of fabric in between. Then sketch out the nose, which is an upside down heart split in two. Lastly, sketch out two rows of teeth. None of the shapes have to be perfect since it is a skull. Plus the looseness of the shirt will morph the design a little when you wear it. One thing to be careful of is not leaving enough fabric for the in between areas. One of mine ripped because I made it too thin. However, if that does happen, use a little fabric glue and stick it back together. No one will notice! Once your sketch is complete, cut away! If you want to turn your tee into a tank top simply cut the sleeves off at the seams.

This is such a simple way to create an one of a kind shirt!

Keep Your Boots from Creasing Throughout the Summer with Pool Noodles!

I will be the first to admit I have a slight obsession with boots! And by slight, I mean major! I love them, I can't get enough of them, and I keep buying them. This presents the problem of storage. For the longest time my boots stayed in a giant, unorganized pile in my closet. This made finding a match a bit of a challenge in the early hours of the morning before work. It also led to the boots creasing and losing their shape. Who wants that to happen to their beautiful (and possibly expensive) boots? Not me!

I figured it was time to come up with a way to organize and store my boots until next fall without them creasing. Since spring and summer are right around the corner, I was able to pick up some pool noodles at a local store. You know, the super cheap and colorful pool toys?  I cut them to the height of each boot and place them inside. It keeps the boots standing upright, which will prevent creasing and clutter! This solution is super cheap, easy, and effective! And, if you have left over pool noodles, use them out at the pool this summer!

Turn Your Closet into Chic Office Attire!

You don't need to spend a fortune creating a whole new wardrobe of chic office attire. You just need to know how to revamp existing pieces and pair them up to create fabulous outfits that are appropriate for any office setting!

Skinny jeans are great to have and are wearable for so many occasions. However,  if they are too long and bunch around your ankles, they don't look as put together. I have a quick and easy solution that will make skinny jeans a great option to wear to work and all you have to do is roll the bottoms. They will look like a cuff while eliminating the unwanted bunching. Pair them with nude pumps and a floral top and you are ready for these warmer temps!

Almost every closet has a few relax fit tanks hidden in the back. Tuck these into a high waisted pencil skirt or skinny jeans and add a statement necklace and blazer to create an eye-catching outfit. Forever 21 has a lot of statement necklaces available at great prices. They also offer a basics section on their website where you can find solid colored tanks.

Pencil skirts are another staple that can create fabulous looks for work! Pair them with a flowy blouse, cardigan, or printed tank and you are good to go! There are so many options, you will never get bored wearing a pencil skirt! During cooler months, finish off your look with some killer ankle booties and during the warmer months swap for peep toe pumps!

Looking to add some new pieces to your wardrobe? Check out Nordstrom Rack! They have a huge selection of classic dresses at up to 50% off that would be perfect for the office!

Your One Stop Shop for Designer Dresses!

I have been dying over this red Herve Leger dress for months now but it was not even close to being in my budget. Well, ladies, let me tell you there is a not so hidden gem that will provide all your designer dress needs without breaking the bank account! A few months ago a friend of mine introduced me to Rent the Runway. It's an online shop that allows you to rent designer dresses for 4-8 days at amazingly affordable prices. I created a free account and then never gave it another thought.. Until recently! I decided to see if they had that fabulous Herve Leger dress available and guess what, it was only about $60 to rent for 8 days! I was a very happy camper! Needless to say, I did not hesitate and rented it for my upcoming trip to Vegas.

Since then, I have been browsing other dresses and found the perfect floral Dolce and Gabbana dress for a friend's bridal shower later this month! This has become my new favorite gem for all my designer dress needs! Because let's be serious, how many times do we actually wear really expensive dresses? Once, maybe twice! This site gives you fabulous options at fantastic prices! I highly recommend checking into it for your upcoming events!