3 Gym-Appropriate Makeup Products

If you're like me and hate wearing makeup to the gym but also hate looking not your very best, these 5 products will change your daily gym routine! Wear these simple and light products too look pretty while breaking a sweat :)

                                                            1. Tinted Lip Balm

                                                                    Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm $7.00
                            Perfect for also keeping your lips hydrated, and it comes in a variety of flattering shades.

                                                                  2. Mascara 

                                                                    BADgal Waterproof Mascara $19.00
                 Mascara is always a must and this one is perfect because it is waterproof, so it won't smudge off with sweat. 

                                                             3. Concealer

                                                                   Clinique Advanced Concealer $18.00 
               This concealer provides maximum coverage and it will not crease or fade, so it can keep up with you at the gym!

What woman doesn't love for her eyelashes to look long, thick, voluminous and lump-free? Well, if you're like me and love quality make-up but don't want to break the bank, this post is for you ;) Mascara is personally one of my favorite beauty products, but, like most make-up now-a-days, can get expensive if you are looking for a popular, high quality brand. Although it is okay to splurge on things you love every now and then, mascara no longer has to be one of them. Here are 7 mascaras that work just as well as the high end stuff and are all under $10. Enjoy and stay fabulous!



                               Best Mascara For: Lengthening

    NYX Doll Eye Mascara $9.50 

                                  Best Mascara For: Volume

                                                      Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara $6.40

                                                           L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara Curved Brush $7.29


                      Best Mascara For: Defining Bottom Lashes

                                                                   Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara $10.00


                                Best Mascara For: Thickening

                                                            Maybelline Volum' Express - The Flasies $7.77


                                 Best Mascara For: Definition

                                                      L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Excess $8.95
                                                                              (My personal favorite!) 


                         Best Mascara For: Clump-Free Lashes 

                                                                   Sonia Kashuk Lashify Mascara $6.99
                                                                             (Also available at Target)

So personally lately I have not been getting enough sleep. I know that for many working adults and/or students this can also be an issue, so that is why I decided to do this weeks post on how you can get better sleep. 

How you feel during your waking hours greatly effects how well you sleep during your resting hours. At the same time, the cure for sleep difficulties can often be found in your daily routine. Your sleep schedule, bedtime habits and day-to-day lifestyle choices can make a huge difference on the quality of your nightly rest. The following tips will help you optimize your sleep so you can be productive, mentally sharp, emotionally balanced and full of energy all day long. Enjoy! :) 

First things to take into consideration when it comes to a good nights sleep: 

1. Everyone's sleep schedule is different 
2. Everyone requires a different amount of sleep - it depends on the person (what works for some might not work well for others) but the typical amount of sleep adults need is eight hours a night

With that being said, here are tips for a better nights sleep:

Tip 1: Try and keep a regular sleep schedule, this will help tell your body when it is time to go to bed, which will make it easier for you to fall asleep at night. Some things that can help achieve this are: setting a regular bedtime and waking up at the same time everyday. 

Tip 2: Create a relaxing/peaceful bedtime routine, this will help you sleep easier and more deeply. Some things that can help achieve this are: keeping noise down, keeping your room cool (or at a desired temperature) and making sure your bed is comfortable. 

Tip 3: Exercise and eat right, this has always been an important rule for better sleep. Some things that can help achieve this are: staying away from big meals at night, avoiding alcohol before bed and cutting down on caffeine.


I hope these simple and easy tips help! I have been making shifts in my sleep routine lately and they have helped me. Sleep on!

8 Ways to Brighten Your Morning And Help You Wake Up In A Better Mood 

1. Go to sleep with you curtains/blinds halfway open - What better way to wake up then with natural lighting

2. Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier then you usually do - Not only will this give you more time in the morning, but you won't need to rush out the door; its nice to take time to get ready and not feel stressed so early in the morning

3. Stretch - Trust me on this one, you'll feel great and it will help you to wake up

4. Read a motivational quote - This can help get you motivated for the day and even set better goals

5. Drink coffee - I don't think this needs an explanation

6. Check your calendar - Make your day a little less stressful and be prepared for what you have to take on that day

7. Do a 30 minute workout - Whether it be jogging/running or a yoga routine, studies show that people who exercise in the morning are more likely to stick with their exercise routine and eat better throughout the day

8. Drink 8 ounces of water - Your body naturally wakes up dehydrated, so 8 ounces of water will help rejuvinate you in the morning

                                            Vintage Fashion

Vintage fashion has made a huge come-back over the last couple of years, and, I personally love it. Fashions from decades such as the 50s, 60s and 70s have been making their way back onto the runway and into our closets. I love the styles and prints from these eras and I couldn't be more than happy that their back. Here are some vintage style inspirations being worn by modern women today, enjoy! (Also, make sure you stop by the vintage room at Kellie's next time you visit, there is a ton of cute and great things in there!) :)

Paying It Forward 

Pay It Forward - "An expression for describing the beneficiary of a good deed repaying it to others instead of to the original benefactor"

This phrase has been around for a long time but is not something most people act upon on a daily basis. A lot of us live very busy lives and are concerned mostly with ourselves - and this isn't a bad thing, it just happens to be this way.

This past week while at work one of my co-workers was telling me of a woman who came into the store with her maintenance man, who is very poor, and let him shop around and paid for him to get new clothes - $150 worth. It touched my co-worker so much that she told me the story, which also touched me. It was refreshing to hear and to know that there are still genuinely good-hearted people in the world who help the less fortunate and expect nothing in return.

So as busy as we might be, there is always time to help someone who is in need or less fortunate; it does not have to be anything big either, it can be as simple as bringing someone at work who you know is having a not so good day a coffee or paying for someone's meal just because. Pay it forward, you'll be glad you did.

20 Ways to Pay it Forward:

1. Pay it Backward: buy coffee for the person behind you in line.
2. Compliment the first three people you talk to today.
3. Send a positive text message to five different people.
4. Let someone go in front of you in line who only has a few items.
5. Leave a gas gift card at a gas pump.
6. Have a LinkedIn account? Write a recommendation for coworker or connection.
7. Leave quarters at the laundromat.
8. Encounter someone in customer service who is especially kind? Take an extra five minutes to tell their manager.
9. Leave unused coupons next to corresponding products in the grocery store.
10. Send a gratitude email to a coworker who deserves more recognition.
11. Practice self-kindness and spend 30 minutes doing something you love today.
12. Write a positive comment on your favorite blog, website, or a friend’s social media account.
13. Leave a kind server the biggest tip you can afford.
14. When you’re throwing something away on the street, pick up any litter around you and put that in the trash too.
15. Pay the toll for the person behind you.
16. Everyone is important. Learn the names of your office security guard, the person at the front desk and other people you see every day. Greet them by name. Also say “hello” to strangers and smile. These acts of kindness are so easy, and they almost always make people smile.
17. Write your partner a list of things you love about them.
18. Purchase extra dog or cat food and bring it to an animal shelter.
19. Find opportunities to give compliments. It costs nothing, takes no time, and could make someone’s entire day. 
20. Run an errand for a family member who is busy.

                                                  5 Summer Trends To Still Rock 

                                                                                       1. Hippy 

2. Jumpsuits

3. Delicate Fabrics 

4. Sheer / Mesh

5. Bold Red Floral Print 

After traveling so much the past six weeks, I decided to compose a list of (what I believe and have learned from experience) are some helpful/useful airport tips. I know traveling is fun, but it is also tiring and at times stressful. I hope some of these tips help you on your next traveling adventure!

1. Travel Mid-Week 

Traveling mid-week instead of on the weekends has two benefits: airports are less crowded (which means shorter lines) and the airfares are cheaper - these have both been proven to be true. The two cheapest days of the week to travel are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

2. Remember What Carry-on Liquids You Can and Can't Take 

This is important because you don't want your expensive face cream or bottle of wine to get thrown out. Here is what you are allowed to carry on: liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes are restricted to 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less per container, and must be in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic zip-top bag. 

3. Check-In Online and Print Your Boarding Pass

Most Airlines will allow you to check-in online 24 hours before your departure. It is always smarter to checkin online to avoid the long lines and to print your boarding pass, because even if you have your flight information in your email or you took a screenshot of it, you always run the chance of not being able to connect to wifi or of your phone dying. 

4. Arrive At Least 2 Hours Early 

This is also VERY IMPORTANT. 2 hours is the minimum amount you want to give yourself to get to the airport, check-in, go through security and find your gate. You never know how long the lines are going to be and depending on the size of the airport, your gate can be a tedious place to get to. The more time you give yourself, the better. 

5. Set An Alarm So You Don't Miss Your Plane

As stupid as this sounds, I have come close plenty of times to already being in the airport, ready to go, but have a longer layover and end up roaming around and loosing track of time. It happens! Set an alarm! Better safe then sorry. 

6. Make Use Of Your Dead Time 

If you have a longer layover, you have a lot of time to kill. Take advantage of it! Walk around and explore the airport you are in and go look around the shops or try a new restaurant. Plus, you'll be sitting on a plane for the next few hours so its better to walk around then to just sit at your gate. 

Hello everyone! I hope your weekend was fabulous! I was in The Netherlands this past weekend and while there I discovered their love of tea. Its safe to say that Amsterdam has some of the best tea ever, and I can attest to that - I had some of the best tea I have ever had in my life here. Although a bit pricey, (usually 2.00 or 2.50 euro a cup) it was well worth it. In The Netherlands they drink their tea with a shot of milk and two cubes of sugar. I know a lot of people already drink their tea this way as well, but I had never done this, and if you haven't tried it this way either I suggest you do because it makes your tea even tastier. My favorite tea I had while there was mango, it was delicious when paired with the sugar and milk combo. All of this tea drinking obviously inspired this weeks post, 7 Benefits of Drinking Tea, enjoy!

1. Tea can help boost exercise endurance. The antioxidants in green tea specifically increase the body's ability to burn fat as fuel, which can help improve muscle endurance. 

2. Drinking tea can help reduce the risk of heart attack and help protect against cardiovascular disease. 

3. The antioxidants in tea have been known to help protect against a variety of cancers, such as breast, colon, skin, lung, pancreas, liver and prostate cancer. 

4. Despite the caffine in tea, it is still hydrating to the body. 

5. Tea is known to help give you stronger bones (especially if you add milk ;) ), due to its many beneficial phytochemicals. 

6. Drinking plain tea (no sugar) can actually help give you a whiter smile. Tea contains fluoride tannins that keep plaque away, resulting in healthier teeth and gums :) 

7. Drinking tea can help boost your immune defenses by helping fight off infection. 

Hey guys! So this past weekend I went to the Amalfi Coast and got to see the beautiful beaches and clear water of the mediterranean. While there, I discovered that the sand really helped the dead skin of my feet and the salt from the sea calmed the oils of my face (I have very oily skin). So, this inspired this post on How To Naturally Exfoliate Your Body At The Beach. Here are some of the things some of my friends and I did. Hope this helps, enjoy!



                                  1. Naturally Bleach Your Hair Using Lemons 
Sorrento, Italy, which is located on the Amalfi Coast, is known for its giant, juicy and super delicious lemons. My classmates/friends that I went with told me that you can naturally bleach your hair using lemons, so, what better place to do it then in the land of the lemons and with the hot sun on the beach! We all took a lemon and squirt the fresh juice on our heads. We let it marinate while we tanned and then washed it out in the water. After going home and showering, all of our heads of hair were definitely lighter!

                                              2. Exfoliate Your Feet In The Sand 
The Amalfi Coast is a black sand beach. I took the opportunity of being on the beach and dug my feet (who after walking so much around the city of Rome were full of dead skin) into the sand every time I walked through it. I made sure to especially focus on the heels of my feet, which are the part of the foot - for most people - that tend to hold the most dead skin. After a couple times of doing this and then going into the sea, the dead skin on my feet was gone. Make sure to moisturize them with a thick lotion after you wash them too so that stay soft longer.

                                3. Use Natural Sea Water To Control Your Oily Skin 
I have naturally very oily skin. After swimming in the mediterranean sea, which is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, I noticed my skin was very dried out - for me this was a miracle and a good thing, for others with naturally dry skin, not so much. For those who do produce an abundance of natural oil, I would recommend trying face and body scrubs with sea salt, and for those that are the opposite, I would suggest to stay away from those.

                                   The Best Summer Tops For Every Body Type

A big part of shopping is not only looking for a good deal and something you like, but also finding what looks good on you. Here are the best summer tops for every body type:

                                                  If you're petite and and busty...

This tank style is perfect because it offers great coverage on the top and tanks usually offer adjustable straps. 

This tank style is also great if you're smaller and have a bigger bust. The scoop neckline offers discrete coverage and the top nicely lays over the bust. 

If you're curvy and busty...

For curvier and bustier girls, lightweight blouses are the way to go. They're comfortable, loose-fitting and you can find them in all colors and prints. 

If you're petite and not busty...

For girls who are all around small on top, a fun scoop-neck tank is great. The scoop neckline gives an illusion of a bigger bust and a print usually does the same. You have a lot of options with these!

Peplums! They're so cute and perfect for a smaller frame and bust. They keep your proportions in mind by drawing in the eye to your small waist, helping your bust look fuller. 

If you're curvy and not busty...

If you're a little curvier but not very busty, tanks and blouses that are slightly fitted on top and looser in the middle are your best option. 

If you're plus-size...

If you're plus size you'll want to accentuate your waist. What better way to do it then with a stylish sash. There are a variety of tops that have a sash included, but you could always just add your own to any tank or blouse. 

Part of my homework this week while in Rome was to go the Villa Borghese (a very famous park here in Rome) and sit by myself, with no technology or book or notebooks and just sit alone, meditate and take in the park and reflect on my time here thus far. The Villa Borghese is most definitely the most beautiful park I have ever visited. It's huge and is its own world; it is full of giant trees, flowers, fountains, rocks and life, its amazing. This is what it looks like:

One of the important lessons I got from this assignment is how important it is to take time for yourself every once and a while and relax and take time to meditate. It will change your day. So here are some ways Meditation can change your life:

                                                                      1. Lightening Your Load

In a stressed state, it is easy to lose touch with inner peace and kindness. It is good to practice meditation to help yourself be in a relaxed state, so you can clear your mind. A time of quiet calmness is the most effective remedy for a busy and overworked mind. Anytime you feel stress rising, just bring your focus to your breathing and quietly sit and give yourself a couple of minutes to relax.  

                                           2. Getting Rid of Anger and Fear 

Naturally as humans, we do not accept or release our negative feelings easily; we are more likely to try and hide them and act like they don't exist, which in the end only makes things worse and can cause shame, depression, anger or anxiety. Meditation invites you to openly meet these feelings and to see how ignorance of them can create dramas and fears. Beneath these feelings is a quiet stillness where you can make sense of these emotions. I suggest practicing meditation for just ten minutes a day to help release this tension.

                                            3. Learning to Forgive Yourself 

Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others. Meditation can help you observe who you are now is not who you were just a moment ago, let alone a day, a week, or a month ago. Who you, or someone else, was when pain was caused is not who you are now. Forgive yourself. 

                                                      4. Appreciating Life 

Appreciating your life is so important. Take a moment to appreciate the life you have - even if you currently are going through a tough time, always remember that it won't last forever and that there is someone else out there who has it worse. Meditate and think about this and let it calm you down, then extend that deep appreciation to everything and everyone in your life - you feel a lot better. 

                                                           5. Be Aware 

Awareness is the key to awakening. Through awareness you can see everything for how it really is. Meditation can help you realize how simple some things really are the true realities of others, whether pleasant or unpleasant, it is always better to live with truth inside and to be aware. 

Hey guys! Sorry I did not post last week, I am currently in Europe studying abroad with MSU and I have been very jet-lagged and very busy getting accustomed to Roma. Roma is beautiful by the way! Here is a list of some of the best must-have sandals for the summer, all under 61 dollars. Enjoy and ciao! 


                                        The 5 Must Have Sandals for the Summer 

 ASOS Flying Saucer Sliders, $47.64 

                                                                       Dr. Scholl's Stripped Slide Sandals, $84.00 

                                                  Madewell The Slide Sightseer Sandal, $59.50

                                                                                Zara Combined Flat Sandal, $59.90 
 

Miss Selfridge Flinestone Embellished Slider, $61

Soooo....I usually don't do this, I don't like writing about myself but Kellie has been asking me to do this for a while now and I do want to share my experience with you all, especially since Kellie's Consignments helped me achieve it.

This past spring semester I had the opportunity to intern with Cosmopolitan for Latinas in New York City. After working hard at school and working hard to gain experience and build my resume, I applied to Cosmo's internship program for the third time, after already been rejected twice in the past - however this time, it was different. I still sent them constant emails to not forget about me and had to be consistent with them. They would respond every few months telling me they still not had made a decision. The end of my Fall semester approached, as did finals week. At this point, I had begun to give up on my dream of interning at my dream magazine in the big apple and I began preparing to go home for Christmas break. The week before I went home I got an email from one of the editors at Cosmo asking if I had time for a phone interview. I, extremely excited, of course said yes. She interviewed me the next day and offered me the internship on the spot - I literally could not believe it.

So I interned with Cosmopolitan for Latinas during the months of January, February and March of this past spring. While here, I got to see and learn how the magazine industry works. I learned how to write and edit for magazines, how to pages together, how to do research, how to brainstorm in groups, how to pitch ideas for a certain audience and how to work in a fast-paced and competitive environment, all while in heels :) I got to attend a lot of events and met a lot of great people and a few celebrities, which was crazy. I was on the Today Show and I got to attend the Pamela Rolland fashion show at Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week - this was the biggest highlight of my internship; never could I have imagined getting to attend Fashion Week in New York City.  I was also in charge of organizing the beauty and magazine closet in the office, and on the last day of my internship the beauty editor told me I could go in the closet and pick out make-up I wanted. That day I left with new Dior, NARS and M.A.C. makeup, just to name a few.

My supervisor at the magazine told me that when reviewing applications for the position, this blog that I write for Kellie's Consignments helped set me apart from the rest of the applicants. It demonstrated my writing abilities and my knowledge and love of fashion. If I had not interned as a blog writer and social media intern at Kellie's the previous summer, I might have never gotten this great opportunity. It is amazing to see myself grow as a professional and chase my career goals and see my work now published in the newest issue of Cosmopolitan for Latinas. Thank you Kellie's! I love working here and writing this blog! <3

                            

Kellie's Consignments was chosen to compete in a contest with Fanatics!!! We had to choose our favorite MLB hat from their fabulous hat selection online and create a collage ensamble. We had up to 7 additional pieces of clothing/accessories we could use to complete our outfit. This is the super cute outfit our wonderful Social Media and Internet Sales leader Christina put together. Everything she used is from Kellie's Consignments. 

Make sure to check out Fanatics to find more stylish hats for all your game day events this summer! 

                                                    60 - Second Beauty Hacks 

                        How To Reach Your Favorite Foundation That Is Stuck At The Bottom Of The Bottle 

When the final bit of your favorite foundation is clinging to the bottom the bottle and you can't get it out…one of the worst feelings in the world! But, you no longer have to fear, there is now a trick to so that you can use all of the foundation you paid for. 

Place the bottle of foundation in a warm cup of water for about two minutes, next, squeeze a bit of your favorite moisturizer into the foundation bottle - the mixture will create a tinted moisturizer. 

Create A Perfect Winged Liner 

Drawing a perfect line with eyeliner isn't the easiest task in the world, but to get the look in seconds is now easy thanks to this great tip. 

Apply a piece of tape to the corner of the eye and use its edge to guide your line. 

Extend The Wear Of Your Foundation 

Applying self-tanner before putting on your faoundation can extend the wear of your foundation. The tanner will start to develop around the time of day that makeup and foundation start to wear off. This trick will help you look freshly made up all day. 

Apply Mess-Free Mascara 

We all know how annoying it is when you get mascara on your eyelid and have to go back and clean it up. Here's a trick to never have to deal with this again:

Place a buisness card behind your lashes at the baseline of your lashes before applying mascara. This prevents your mascara from transferring onto your upper eyelid.