7 AWESOME TIPS FOR LOOKING GOOD WHILE CAMPING

 

By Gillian Degraaf

Feeling glamorous and camping doesn’t exactly go in the same sentence, but here are some tips for looking good while camping. Embrace Mother Nature and the time you have with your family and friends and just let go. Forget all those clothes back home and that red Chanel lipstick you haven’t been able to part with. These are my top tips for looking good while camping (which I will use this weekend).

1. Wear Light Clothing

Photo Credit

Since you will be camping and probably hiking a lot, this is one of the best tips for looking good while camping. Avoid fussy clothing while you are going to be trekking it in the woods. No one wants to be throwing on a bar dress for a campfire, and no one wants to see you do that! Check weather reports and plan your clothing accordingly. Bring lots of cute baggy tank tops and t-shirts.

2. Get Out into The Sun

Get a subtle glow on before heading out on your camping trip. This will not only make you look fresh faced, but will help you relax a bit on your makeup. Get out there in the sun a bit before or if you’re like me, get out that bottle of self tanner.

3. Understand What You Are Doing on This Vacay

Most of us know what we are getting ourselves into when camping, but if you don’t, ask. It might not be always possible for you to wash your hair every day so have some hairstyles that you will want to rock. Of course the top bun is the easiest and a great go to while camping. If you are having a party at your campsite, try rocking the side braid. You will look laid back but very chic.

4. Pack Light Makeup

Don’t over do it with the makeup while camping; it’s never a good look. Bring your moisturizer, face wash and a light foundation if you need to. Make sure to not bring anything with lots of odor, as animals will be sure to sniff it out! (Trust me…)

5. Throw Fashion Rules Out The Window

You are camping ladies; there is no need for that expensive purse and heels. All fashion rules go out the window when going into the woods. Wear those big rain boots and rain gear if needed, wear a bikini as a shirt and let your hair get gross. These are actually some of the fun parts of camping for me.

6. Bring Some Waterproof Mascara

I added this because I know a lot of my friends won't go anywhere without their mascara, and that is fine. Just know where you are going. Since you will most likely be swimming, bring waterproof mascara and go about your day with no worries.

7. Don’t Worry about Your Looks

I know this is about looking cute while camping, but one of the cutest things you can do is not worry about your looks. Embrace your environment and channel a different side of yourself. Toning down the makeup and hair regimen will be essential for your camping experience and will give you more time to adventure with your friends.
 

You don’t have to sacrifice looking good while you are out in the wilderness. Bottom line. Just make sure you adjust your normal beauty routine to better fit in the great outdoors. What is the number one thing you NEED to bring while camping? 

 

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7 MODERN ACCESSORIES TO ADD TO ANY DECOR STYLE

 

By Jessica Grover

My absolute favorite way to style any given space is modern, so I've complied a list of accessories to add to any decor! Since moving close to the city of Portland, I've adopted a more modern style compared to my previous contemporary/traditional style. Because my taste has changed, I've looked for inexpensive ways to update our home for a more modern flare. It's easy to add these accessories to any decor style and change the feel of your living space if you so desire! In a few descriptive words, modern style is simple, has strong lines, geometric shapes, and generally stays in a neural color palette with pops of color here and there. Let's explore some modern accessories to add to any decor!

1. De-clutter

Photo via Indulgy

Modern style lives by the rule that less is more. So, the very first step when collecting modern accessories to add to any decor is to first purge what isn't needed and organize the rest! This is great to do no matter what your style is, but particularly for modern styles, you want to stick to minimal wall art, knickknacks, and other accessories that just add clutter. Think small plants and vases, crisp lighting, and very select wall hangings.

2. Paint

Wall color can really change the feel of room in a dramatic way. Dark colors create a more sober atmosphere while light colors are more uplifting. For example, red is vibrant and can excite the mind, while blue is calming and relaxing. That's why it generally isn't a good idea to have red walls in your bedroom! For painting a room with a more modern feel, think neural tones which give a crisp, clean appearance.

3. Pillows

 

A few pillows with geometric prints and minimal color is an ideal way to modernize your space. Pillows are a cheap way to add accessories that really grab your eye! I actually swapped out my bedroom pillows for the living room couch pillows. They have large blue and white chevron stripes, which are definitely modern! You can even make slip covers from a carefully selected print to customize your pillows

 

4. Cacti And Succulents

I've seen hanging succulents in glass displays and beautiful cacti terrariums used as centerpieces all over the place! These are elegant, simple and catch the eye in an amazing way. We are actually planing on purchasing a cacti terrarium for our dining room table and I can't wait! They are so gorgeous and easy to maintain, not to mention super modern! You an even find DIY terrariums with instructions on Pinterest!

5. A Sleek Chair

A side chair, either with arms or armless, is a great way to modernize your sitting space. There are plenty of furniture stores that are relatively inexpensive, like Ikea, that have a great selection of modern accessory chairs. Pick an accent color for your home and purchase a chair in that color or simply stick to a natural tone!

6. Lighting

Lighting is also crucial in any space. Lamps and light fixtures can be a real eyesore if they aren't updated. If possible, stick to simple, industrial style lighting with exposed polished metal for modern design. Floor lamps are a great focal point and can be found in any price range!

7. Subtle Color Pops

The use of color in a room is astounding and can either be really relaxing and aesthetically pleasing, or it can be chaotic and cluttered. Choose an accent color or two complementary colors and use them as pops within your decorating. For instance, my accent color is yellow and I have a yellow tea kettle, dish towels, a yellow bird sugar jar, and a clock. It pops out without being overwhelming and adds quite a bit of life to our living space! Think of what mood you want to set or what color just makes you happy, and have fun with it!
It's so easy to update your living space by changing your accessories! This can be done without spending a dime by mixing up accessories from each room to create a different look and feel. This is one of my favorite things to do, actually, when I don't want to spend money but want a change!

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7 Need-to-Know Beauty Tips That You'll Want to Follow

 

By Jessica Grover

It's fantastic when we hear of need to know beauty tips and secrets that broaden our knowledge of how to better our beauty routines! The smallest tips and tricks can make a world of difference in your hair, makeup, skin and nails. Hopefully these 7 need to know beauty tips will change up your look for the better!

1. The Secret to Beachy Waves

Soft, beachy waves are an effortlessly sexy look but still put together. Usually beachy waves are achieved using a salt spray which gives hair a little curl and dryness, mimicking a day at the beach. But salt sprays can leave the hair stiff and dried out. To combat this, simply use a hair serum beforehand which deeply moisturizes the hair and protects it from damage. The best part is it doesn't interfere with any product or styling process but enhances it, which is one of those sought after need to know beauty tips.

2. Dry, Flaky Lips

For soft, supple lips that look and feel great, it's essential that we care for them like any other body part. And moisturized lips are the best way to achieve rich lip color that's long lasting. Before bed, try gently massaging your lips with a wet towel to remove dead skin and pink up your lips. Then apply a good lip balm (I actually love coconut oil!).

3. A Few Lipstick Tricks

For long-lasting lip color, you need to know a few tricks of proper application. Smile for lipstick application which will reach every part of your lips, including corners. Wait a minute or two after the first coat, blot with a tissue, and then lightly dust with translucent powder before applying the second layer. You can also apply light concealer around your lips to prevent bleeding.

4. Take off Makeup before Bed

I know I'm guilty of this one! Often times you're so tired from the day's activities that you can easily forget to take off your makeup before bed. This isn't a good habit for healthy, radiant skin because leaving on makeup overnight can cause unsightly breakouts and irritation. An easy solution would be to leave makeup removing wipes nearby, like on your bathroom sink or nightstand. Then there are no excuses.

5. Longer-Lasting Manicure

Don't you hate when you have perfectly painted nails and then they chip within just a couple days? The best way increase the life of your mani is to first apply a base coat. Then apply an even and thin layer of color, wait for it to set in a bit, and then apply another coat. For the second coat, make sure to sweep the polish lightly across the tips of your nails to seal in the polish. Finish with a quick dry top coat. This method has my polish lasting a week.

Shade of Foundation

For the longest time I wore the wrong shade of foundation (and the wrong type)! It would look good in indoor lighting but as soon as I saw myself in natural light, it was usually a bit shocking. The purpose of foundation is to cover any blemishes and smooth out uneven skin tone. It should look like you're not wearing anything while having smooth even skin. Foundation should not be darker than your skin tone, as this can leave splotch marks when it fades and it's difficult to blend - nor should it be lighter, which washes you out. Select a color against your jawline and select a type based on the condition of your skin (i.e. liquid foundation for dry skin).

7. Defined Eyebrows

Fuller, shaped eyebrows are totally in right now! The more natural they look, the better they shape the rest of your face! So, to fill in any gaps in your eyebrows. First pluck any stray hairs, brush them up and trim any longer hairs. The key then is to define them with two different shades. This creates more dimension in your brows. Try a darker color in the center of your brows and lighter along the lines, with no harsh pencil lines.
There are tons of interesting, fun and super helpful beauty tips out there that are great to follow, not only for added self confidence but also for saving time and energy! What are some of your favorite need to know beauty tips?

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7 Miraculous to Use Pinterest to Market Your Blog or Business

 

By Heather Williams

Social media is one of the best ways to connect with other to help your blog or business grow, with the many ways to use Pinterest being one of the best and most efficient of all. Many of us know that spreading word about a blog or business via Facebook or Twitter is an easy way to reach out through social media, but to expand upon the networking magic that the Internet can bring, try implementing Pinterest into your marketing plan as well. There are many ways to use Pinterest to market your blog or business without asking people to directly visit your site, or buy your products. Check out these simple tools and start today!

1. Join Boards That Fit Your Brand

One of the easiest ways to use Pinterest to market your blog or business is to join groups and follow boards that fit with your brand. For instance, if you’re a health blogger or craft blogger, join groups that share blog posts about health topics or craft projects. Also, follow as many boards as you can in these areas, and be sure to regularly posts new pins about your own blog or business so these boards will see your new updates. Networking through common interest on Pinterest is one of the easiest ways to get the word out without being pushy.

2. Pin at Least Once a Day

No one likes their Pinterest feed to be bombarded with sales tactics or ads, and I always hate seeing bloggers or businesses who post sales schemes repetitively into my feed. Often, this makes me unsubscribe to their Pinterest account completely. So, instead of overdoing it, pin something once per day at least, but don't offer a direct sale. It doesn’t even have to be regarding your blog or business, and could simply be a pin you found and enjoy. This needs to be authentic, but is a great way to bring people back to your page. Feel free to share new updates or posts this way, but never post the same thing more than once a day. The number one reason pinning something at least once per day is so effective, is because being active on Pinterest without selling directly is a great way to bring people back to your boards and get them to follow you.

3. Share New Posts through Pinterest

If you have a business or blog, be sure to share each new post you have through Pinterest. 90% of my blog traffic comes from Pinterest and I only post new posts once, never more. I also suggest creating a board directly dedicated to your new business updates or blog posts so you can pin them all in the same place for ease of use and reference.

4. Rearrange Your Boards

Another thing you’ll want to do is take a look at the order of your boards, which you can edit at any time. Make sure your blog or business boards are one of the first three, preferably the first board, on your Pinterest profile page where your boards are located. If it happens to be at the bottom, someone may never see the board at all, especially if they just follow one or two of your boards and not all of them. Drag your business or blog board with all your posts and updates to the very top so it is right under your profile picture.

5. Get a New Profile Picture

If you want to use a personal photograph for your Pinterest picture, that isn’t a bad thing, but reconsider it if you want to enhance your business or blog’s success on Pinterest. Consider using your logo as your profile picture instead of your personal picture. This will help new people to your Pinterest profile recognize your business or blog better if they don't know you personally, or are new to your blog or business. This also optimizes your opportunity to be followed if someone searches your business or blog on Pinterest.

6. Create An Entire New Pinterest Profile

Some people prefer to keep their personal Pinterest page and business or blog Pinterest page separate, which is a great idea. Create an account for solely your business or blog if you want to focus your blog or business’s Pinterest page to marketing only, and don’t want it to interfere with your own feed.

7. Ask People to Follow You

Lastly, don’t be shy! Ask people to follow you on Pinterest on your blog or business website. You can even create an automatic signature for the end of each post that says something like, “Don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest to get the latest updates!” Here you should have a direct link to your Pinterest account for your blog or business, or your personal profile if you only use one account. Also, be sure to install a Pinterest button at the top of your blog and a “Pin It” button so others can easily find you on Pinterest and share your posts. These tools are all available on the Pinterest website with instructions, which are super simple.

Pinterest is such a fun way to market your blog or business without being overbearing. It is also a great place to meet others in the same area or industry and get new ideas! I’ve found some of the most amazing women and ideas through Pinterest this way myself. Do you have any tips for marketing a business or blog on Pinterest?

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7 Reasons Rest is More Important Than You Realize

 

By Heather Williams

If you’re skimping on your sleep, I’m here to tell you a few reasons rest is important, other than the standard advice your doctor gives you. Many people don’t even realize what body processes go on while you’re asleep. The issue of getting enough sleep has unfortunately become so mundane that we’re tuning it out more than ever. Even I get tired of hearing that rest is important, but I still choose to get enough slumber time under my pillow. Read my favorite reasons rest is important, which may include some facts you didn’t even know about. Then, if you’re not ready to turn in a little early, I can at least say I tried!

1. It Regulates Your Appetite

Many of you probably already know one of the main reasons rest is important is that it evens out your appetite. When our appetites go awry, it can be due to fluctuating hormones known as ghrelin and leptin in the body, that tell us when we’re full or if we’re actually hungry. These hormones don’t work as well when we’re short on sleep. Even if you get a full night’s rest, but have been under a good bit of stress and are low in energy, consider taking a nap instead of a trip through the drive-thru for a milkshake and fries to give you a boost. Sometimes, we’re actually tired, not hungry, and our bodies are telling us we need to rest. Learn to get at least 8 hours of sleep, preferably 9 if you need it, and you’ll probably notice that your appetite is more regular the next day. You should still eat regular meals, but you’ll be less inclined to eat unhealthy foods if your hormones are leveled out and not seeking energy from junk food.

2. It Helps You Age Better

Sleeping produces the hormone known as DHEA, which fights aging in the body. Many people are popping this supplement nowadays, but I prefer letting my body make plenty of it on its own, which it does while you’re in that deep state of sleep known as REM sleep. DHEA fights stress, and even wrinkles in the body, along with age-related weight gain. Getting enough sleep is the best way to train your body to produce more of this hormone the natural way. It will keep you beautiful and aging gracefully for years!

3. It Makes You Happier

Sleeping enough on a regular basis has been shown to fight depression, anxiety and stress dramatically. You’ll notice that things don’t bother you as much after you’ve had plenty of sleep, for the most part, and that you deal with daily stresses better overall. Avoid taking in too much caffeine, which can give you energy, but then cause your mood and blood sugar to plummet later by effecting your insulin levels and neurotransmitters in the brain. Excess caffeine can also keep you up at night, creating a vicious cycle of sleep debt and the need for caffeine. One or two cups of caffeine in the morning through coffee or tea is fine, but please put down those energy drinks! They’re terrible for you and your sleep!

4. It Helps You Find Your Happy Weight

Since getting enough rest balances out your entire body, it also helps balance out your weight. If you’re skimping on sleep, you may become underweight or overweight due to hormonal fluctuations, high levels of stress, or by it causing disruptions in your appetite. Getting enough rest is the best way to help your body find its happy weight, which is the weight it stays at when you eat healthy, get enough rest, exercise normally, and don’t diet. It will stay this weight for a longer period of time if it is your “happy” weight too, which lets you know you’re doing everything right!

5. It Keeps Your Hormones Balanced

As you know, sleep affects your hormones, so if you suffer from constant swings in your hormones, make sure you are getting enough sleep, but not too much like 10 or 11 hours a day. Both sleeping too little and too much can negatively affect your hormones, so be sure to get that healthy balance. This is especially true during that time of the month or when you’re going through menopause. If you can’t sleep, consider over the counter supplements like Calms Forte, melatonin or magnesium oxide to help put you to sleep naturally.

6. It Fights Inflammation

Inflammation can be greatly reduced by sleeping enough. When we exercise, are very active, are under too much stress, or eat inflammatory foods, we will suffer varying degrees of joint inflammation and internal inflammation. Be sure to get enough rest, which will help the body recover quickly and efficiently. You should eat a healthy diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, lean protein and lots of veggies to prevent inflammation as well. These foods also aid in muscle recovery and reduce stress in the body and mind. Be sure you’re not overexercising and make certain you get enough rest to allow your body to repair itself throughout the night.

7. It Feels Great

Last but not least, sleeping just makes you feel great! Everyone who sleeps well usually wakes up feeling like a brand new person. In my mom’s words, “If you’ve had a terrible day, just go home and go to bed. Everything is always better in the morning.” That being said from a very wise woman, if you’re in doubt of the other reasons to get enough rest, remember that sleep makes you feel great, so be sure to get plenty of it!
To get the best sleep possible, sleep in a somewhat cool atmosphere, in comfortable and cool clothing, and also be sure to avoid caffeinated beverages or spicy foods at night that can keep you up. Don’t eat too soon before bed unless the meal or snack is easy to digest, or you may find it uncomfortable to go to sleep

 

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7 Ways to Prevent Arthritis Later in Life That Work

 

By Jessica Grover

To age well and gracefully, it's key to know the ways to prevent arthritis, so you can manage your life better in your older and wiser years! I'm sure all of you ladies know and love women in your life who battle arthritis. Arthritis is a degenerative cartilage disease causing bone on bone friction in the joints that causes debilitating pain. It happens with age and other factors of lifestyle. On the bright side, you can take steps now in your younger years to prevent the pain and hassle of dealing with arthritis later in life. Below are 7 ways to prevent arthritis that I hope you find useful!

1. Stay Active

Staying active is one of the vital ways to prevent arthritis. It reduces your chances of obesity related illnesses, builds lean muscle, strengthens your joints, improves your cardiovascular system and helps maintain proper body weight. Too much body fat puts a large burden on your joints, particularly the knees and ankles. This extreme pressure degrades the bone and cartilage, and function of these joints.

2. Consume Enough Calcium

Calcium is important for strong bones and overall bone and joint health. Low fat dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt are great sources of calcium. If you can't or choose not to eat dairy, broccoli and salmon are excellent sources of calcium as well!

3. Don't Strain Your Joints

There are many different ways to strain your joints that you'll want to avoid right now. Don't perform repetitive actions which can cause pain and strain - such as typing for hours on end or continued physical labor. During exercise, make sure you're using proper form always to protect your joints from injury! Consult a trained professional to instruct you on proper form.

4. Build Strength And Stability in Your Hands And Feet

Your hands and feet are used the most often, all day, every day. Your feet are your body's support so it is absolutely vital to strengthen your foot muscles, your toes, and your ankles. Also make sure to increase your foot flexibility. To do this, raise up onto your tip toes, then back down just on your heels, raising your toes with heels rested. Also, rock your feet from outside to inside keeping your knees strong and stable and feet hip distance apart. To strengthen your hands, outstretch your fingers then tightly grasp to make a fist. Open them again and individually close in each finger at a time. Repeat these movements daily!

5. Strength Training

Strength training is also very important for building strong, lean muscle. Muscles move joints properly, so strong muscles means strong joints! Classes like yoga, Pilates, and circuit training are fabulous for strength training

 

6. Drink Plenty of Water

Water acts as a lubricant, among many other vital things inside our body. Since cartilage is 70% water, drinking plenty of it is obviously important to maintain healthy cartilage! When you're well hydrated overall, your body's systems function properly and efficiently.

7. Vitamin C And D

Vitamin C and D have both been shown to help give support to healthy joints. Vitamin C reduces inflammation and Vitamin D has shown to potentially prevent the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D is also important for calcium absorption. So make sure you're getting enough, especially if you live in Northwest regions with little sunlight.
It's so hard to see our loved ones in pain from arthritis! No one wants to be in chronic pain or have health problems arise as they age, simply because there was lack of care as a young adult! Sometimes we forget to really take care of our bodies now in preparation for the future. It's not just knowing the ways to prevent arthritis, but it's being proactive about it! Do you ladies have any family members who have arthritis? It does run in the family!

 

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7 OF THE BEST NATURAL WAYS TO FIGHT SLEEPINESS

 

By Melissa Diem

Midday sleepiness can put a slump in your productivity and have you wondering about ways to fight sleepiness. Do you find yourself wanting to curl up for a nap in the middle of your workday? Understanding what may cause your afternoon drowsiness and putting into action some natural ways to fight sleepiness will get you on the right track to raising your energy and staying productive.

1. Regulate Sleep

It’s no wonder you need ways to fight sleepiness if you are in the habit of staying up super late each night despite an early morning alarm. Or maybe you are like many others whose sleep gets thrown off by late nights and sleeping in on the weekend. If you are serious about putting that drained and drowsy feeling to rest then you need to regulate your sleep and stick to the same sleep pattern, even on the weekends.

2. Don’t Underestimate The Power Nap

Naps are nice, aren’t they? A short 30 minute nap can do wonders when afternoon sleepiness is kicking in. Thirty minutes is enough to kick the yawns and give you back your energy, making you more productive for the rest of the afternoon. Don't nap too long though. A long nap may make it hard to fall asleep at bedtime.

3. Hydrate

Are you drinking enough water? Staying hydrated can also help against tiredness. It’s amazing what water can do for you. Get in your 8 to 10 glasses of H2O and see if you can find an improvement in your mid day drowsiness.

4. Don’t Skip Breakfast

Your body needs calories to fuel your day. Not eating breakfast gives you a sluggish start to your day that will only continue as the day goes on. Breakfast doesn’t need to be a huge meal. A bowl of cereal or fruit is plenty to get you started. Some of you may find eating a small meal upon waking and then following up with a morning snack will help. What did you have for breakfast today?

5. Avoid High Fat And Sugary Snacks

While your body needs calories for energy, not all calories are created equal. Calories packed with fat and sugars will cause your blood sugar to spike and leave you feeling drained and weary.

6. Eat Whole-Grains, Fruits, And Veggies

We know we should eat breakfast, and shouldn’t eat high fat and sugary foods to fight sleepiness. What should you eat? The answer is simple. A balanced diet of whole-grains, fruits, veggies and lean meats is perfect. What are some of your favorite nutritious things to eat?

7. Fresh Air

Fresh air is good too. Being stuck inside can be draining. Fresh air is a perfect way to add a little energy to your day. Open a window, step outside, or go for a walk. Enjoy some fresh air and sunshine when you are feeling tired but can’t stop for a nap.
Try some of these tips out next time you are feeling tired in the middle of your day. By regulating your sleep pattern and adding in a few of these tips, you should be able to fight sleepiness with no problem. Let me know if you try any of these ways to fight sleepiness. I want to know how they work for you.

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