Tone It Up Bikini Series Round 2!

Today was the start of Round 2 of the Tone It Up Bikini Series! 

I'm feeling extra motivated right now for several reasons:

• This is Day 1 of my Erin Condren Life Planner
• Shouldn't make a difference, but it feels like a new beginning!
• My friend's wedding is right around the corner and I'm not thrilled with how I look right now
• My race is coming up and I want to be ready for it!
• I'm ready to fill the kitchen with healthy foods since we're wrapping up our June Food Challenge!

I wasn't able to do as much as I would have liked today, but I was able to get in a 4 mile jog!!  On top of that, I also did a bunch of the Cardio Abs workout from TIU:

Finally, I did the following exercises:

• 30 crunches
• 10 burpees
• 10 squats
• 10 pushups

I'm completely out of shape because now I'm exhausted!  But the workout felt really good and tomorrow I plan to do even more :)

Have you heard of Tone It Up?

Carmel-by-the-Sea Trip!

One of our favorite places to go is Carmel-by-the-Sea!  It's about an hour away and is a great place to getaway and relax after a long work week.

Our favorite places to eat are Dametra Cafe, Portabella, and SUR at the Barnyard! 

Apologies for missing my weekly weigh in this week, but work has been insane lately!  I'm planning to get back on track this Sunday when I get back from Carmel!

Where do you like to go to unwind?

NEW 2017 Erin Condren Lifestyle Planner

Yesterday, my NEW 2017 Erin Condren LifePlanner arrived and I am so excited!!  I've always had a strange love for stationary & these planners are just filled with bright colors and happiness! 

I picked the 18 month option so I could start using it right away!  Along with my regular meetings and appointments, I'll also use my planner to keep track of my fitness journey... weight, exercise, and half marathon training!

I can't get enough of the fun colors on each page and all the additional accessories (stickers!) that came with my purchase. 

This is the vertical option, which breaks the day into three parts.  It allows for a bit of flexibility instead of scheduling what I'll be doing each hour of the day.  Good thing this planner looks so sturdy because I have a feeling it will be well-loved during the next year and a half!

Do you use a planner to organize your day?

Weekly Weigh In - Week #4

Today is a travel day for me!  

It's always a little tougher for me to eat healthy meals on these days, but at least I managed to go a whole week without eating Doritos chips!  (hooray for small victories!)

Diet & Food:

My cheats went down dramatically this week!

• 1 Butter Croissant at Phillz Coffee
• 1 Madeline
• Mini Snickers Bars
• 1/2 Breakfast Burrito

Exercise:

Groupon was promoting a deal for the San Jose Rock and Roll Race in October, so I decided to sign up for the 10k!  My current times are miserable, but I'm hoping to improve in time for the race!

Here's a look at my Fitbit steps for the week. I was bad and missed my goal a couple times.  Today isn't over yet, so I can still get in a few more steps :) 

I started using the app MapMyWalk to track my distance and times.  My goal next week is to complete at least two 3 mile runs.

Starting Weight: 20 lbs from goal weight

Wk #1: Down 3 lbs
Wk #2: Down 4.5 lbs
Wk #3: Down 4.5 lbs 
Wk #4: Down 5 lbs

Sephora Haul!

Sephora is by far, one of my favorite places to shop!  I especially love the value sets, where you get a collection of items for a reasonable price.  Currently, Sephora is selling a set of my favorite deodorants from Lavanila!  Included are four mini travel sticks that are great to toss in a gym bag!  This is a must-have for me as I start going to the gym more often.

QUICK LOOK

DIOR

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss deluxe sample in 765 UltraDior - 0.06 oz

ITEM 1823533

FREE

QUICK LOOK

GUERLAIN

Lingerie De Peau Liquid Foundation SPF 20

ITEM 1463983

FREE

QUICK LOOK

LAVANILA

Must-Have Minis Deodorant Set

ITEM 1811843

$28.00

QUICK LOOK

GLAMGLOW

SUPERMUD™ Clearing Treatment

ITEM 1500081

FREE - Used on Husband

QUICK LOOK

CAUDALIE

Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

ITEM 1708809  SIZE 0.33 oz

100 Points - LOVE THIS!

QUICK LOOK

ALGENIST

Complete Eye Renewal Balm

ITEM 1647130

FREE

I also received a few freebies with this purchase!  I love samples because I enjoy trying new products and it's a great way to figure out what works for me before committing to the full-size.

What's your favorite thing to buy at Sephora?

Tea Cleanse!

For the next 21 days, I'll be drinking A LOT of tea!   I've read that herbs like lemongrass and dandelion can be used as part of a detox cleanse.  While I don't intend to do a full cleanse, I do want to see if there are any noticeable benefits to significantly increasing the amount of tea consumed. 

I'm very lucky that my work provides tea for free, so I essentially have an unlimited supply.   I plan to drink 6 cups of herbal tea each day for the next 21 days!

What is your favorite type of tea?

Weekly Weigh In - Week #3

Diet & Food:

I think I'm able to identify a few weaknesses after week #3.  The bad trends include regular consumption of chips and cookies!  Here were my cheats of the week:

• Happy Hour - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Drinks
• McDouble from McDonalds
• Chocolate chip cookie + Madelines + Pocky Chocolate Almond Crush
• Ben and Jerry Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
• Doritos Chips

This next week, I promise to avoid all chips!  Slowly, I may be able to break some of my bad habits!

Exercise:

• Running, running, running... I'm starting off slow and am only doing about 3 miles every few days.  Next week, I really want to work on increasing my pace and distance. 

Other:

• I've decided to start filling in my new Tone It Up 8 Week Bikini Journal!  This might be a great way for me to spot more trends when it comes to diet and exercise.  Plus, I'm hoping it will keep me motivated!  I'm a little off from the regular TIU program, which is currently in week 7 but that's okay!

Starting Weight: 20 lbs from goal weight

Wk #1: Down 3 lbs
Wk #2: Down 4.5 lbs
Wk #3: Down 4.5 lbs - no change :(

Do you keep a track of your meals and log your workouts?

My Minimalist Makeup Collection

Despite the fact that I absolutely LOVE makeup, I really try not to own TOO much of it. 

1. It expires.
2. I don't have a ton of room to store it.
3. It's easier to travel with less.
4. I save $$$ if I don't buy too much.



Here's what I currently have in my capsule makeup collection:

• Blush
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush
• Tarteist Blush Palette 
• Bronzer
• NYC Sunny
• Sample Tarte Park Avenue Princess
• Highlighter
• The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

• Powder
• Rimmel Stay Matte in 004 Sandstorm
• Foundation
• MAC Pro Longwear Compact Foundation in NW25
• Concealers
• Maybelliene Instant Age Rewind Eraser in Medium
• Stila Stay All Day Concealer in Light 03

• Primers
• Sample Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
• Sample Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer
• Eyeshadow Palettes
• Urban Decay Naked Palette
• ELF Prism Palette in Naked
• Eyeliner
• Lancome Drama Liqui-Pencil in Noir Intense
• Lipstick
• Sample Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Kimchi
• Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Rapture
• Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Ladyflower
• Lipgloss
• Dior Addict Lipgloss in 643 Diablotine
• Eyebrows
• NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Brunette

I don't use mascara because I have permanent false lashes.  

If you reduced your makeup collection to 20 items or less, which products would you need to have?



San Francisco Trip! Sephora VIB Rouge Event + Union Street Festival

This past Sunday I took a trip to San Francisco!!!

I went to meet my friend who was picking up her wedding dress on Union!  She looked absolutely stunning and the dress is gorgeous!  I can't wait for the wedding this Fall!!  

This trip also aligned with the VIB Rouge Event at Sephora.  This was the first time I had been to the Union store and it is AMAZING!  There are so many more products and brands than in my local store.  I was impressed that they closed the store for VIB Rouge members only and served Noah's Bagels, coffee, pastries, yogurt, and juice!

Parking, as predicted, was terrible!!  There was a big festival that caused the closure of the Union Street parking garage at 2001 Union.  I spent about 15 minutes searching for street parking, but at least it was free!

The festival was actually pretty fun!  There was a ton of food vendors, free snacks, and interesting shops to look at.

My friends and I also stopped in a few places along Union.  I had a vanilla latte at illy which was pretty good!  The store was the perfect place to relax and catch up with friends.  The morning in SF was chilly so I picked up a Small Black Nike Half Zip for $65 at the Nike Store... worth every penny.

In the afternoon, it warmed up quite a bit and actually turned into a gorgeous day!

We had such a great time!  I can't wait to go back!

Have you been to San Francisco?

What is your coffee shop order?

Ulta Haul

I picked up a few items from Ulta recently!!  Ulta is one of my go-to stores for beauty products because I can often find some pretty good deals!

Urban Decay Cosmetics

Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Ladyflower (sheer rose pink)

$11 (Original Price: $22)

Urban Decay Cosmetics

Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Rapture (sheer dusty rose)

$11 (Original Price: $22)

Soap & Glory

Flake Away

2 Tubs

$11.25 each (Original Price: $15)

Tarteist Blush Palette

$38

Tarte

Deluxe Park Avenue Princess Bronzer

FREE

Blow Pro

Faux Dry - Dry Shampoo

$10 (Original Price: $20)

Butter London

Patent Shine 10X Lacquer in Loverly

$8 (Original Price: $18)

Butter London

Patent Shine 10X Lacquer in Flusher Blusher

$8 (Original Price: $18)

FREE 22 Piece Beauty Bag

After this purchase, I am set with everything I need for Summer!  No more Ulta trips for me till Fall!

Totally unrelated, but I was playing with Snapchat after working out and was having way too much fun with the filters!!  Can you tell I got false eyelashes?  Also, I'm wearing Urban Decay's Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Walk of Shame and I absolutely LOVE the formula!  It's incredibly hydrating and I think I've finally found a nude shade that doesn't make me look dead!

What is your favorite beauty product?

Weekly Weigh In - Week #2

Well, my diet hasn't improved much this week...

Diet & Food:

I've had quite a few "cheats" this week, including:

• Pepperoni Pizza 
• Biscotti + Brownie Brittle + Madeleine
• Doritos Chips
• Fried Rice 
• Godiva Chocolates
• Team Dinner = Fried Onion Ring, Reuben, French Fries, Moscow Mule, Champagne
• Team Lunch = Kinder's BBQ Beef Sandwich with Bacon
• Chocolate Chip Cookie

Exercise:

I've been trying to keep up with my goal of walking 10,000 steps a day, except... can you guess which day I forgot to wear my fitbit?



Starting Weight: 20 lbs from goal weight
Wk #1: Down 3 lbs
Wk #2: Down 4.5 lbs

Play! By Sephora - May 2016

I'm thrilled to have finally received my first Play! By Sephora subscription box after being on the waiting list since September of last year.  Play! is Sephora's monthly beauty box, which includes 5 samples delivered to your door for $10 a month.  

Here's what I received in my May 2016 Play! By Sephora box:

 This really cute bag came in my box, which will be great for storing these Sephora samples!

To help explain all of the products in the May box, there is a piece of paper that gives a description of each sample!  It also came with a card that gives you 50 extra reward points when you make any purchase at a Sephora store (limited time to use it though!).  

I have to say, I'm really impressed with this box!  It came with a mini Bite Beauty lipstick in Kimchi!  This is a bright pink color, perfect for Summer!  

The box also included a mini Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon in Latergram, a Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial sample, a Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, an Altelier Cologne sample in Orange Sanguine, and an Origins Maskimizer sample with a sample of their Charcoal Clear Improvement mask and their Drink Up Intensive mask.  

Of the samples I received, I've only tried the Origins Clear Improvement mask before so I'm really excited to check out all the others!! 

Do you prefer travel size products or full-size products?

Do you receive any subscription boxes?