We all always love a reason to celebrate and what better day than the birthday of our country! BBQs, fireworks and summer weather always make this holiday so fun. We hope you have a very happy, safe and fun 4th of July, no matter where you are. Enjoy this time with your loved ones and celebrate!
I got so burnt on my honeymoon in Hawaii due to the strong sun. I had not been exposed to the sun hardly at all before we went and my skin was not happy. We both got so red on our first day after only being in the sun for an hour and a half when it was overcast. We were even wearing SPF 30! Clearly it was not enough for Maui's strong sun.
I didn't want to be miserable the rest of the trip so I ran down to the gift shop and got some SPF 50 and some Banana Boat® Soothing Aloe After Sun Gel. I also got a surf shirt with SPF in it to help when I was going to be in the sun for an extended period of time. Here are some quick tips that helped me get my skin back to normal after being burnt.
1. Apply sunscreen every 1-2 hours, especially if you go in the water. It seems excessive, but your sunscreen wears off quick. It also gives you the opportunity to catch places you may have missed the first time you applied. Trust me, it's well worth it!
2. Cover up as much as possible. I know half of the fun of returning from the beach or pool is a bronze glow. However, if you get burnt it's not fun for anyone when you're miserable and complaning. Cover up as much as you possibly can, when you can. You'll still get some rays, trust me on this! I wore a hat and sun glasses and my face still got tan while I was there. It will help prevent wrinkles later in life!
3. If you do get burnt, invest in some aloe. It helped relieve the burn feeling immediately when we applied after getting back from the beach and I completely believe that it helped to heal my skin faster. It also prevented my skin from peeling (at least for the most part).
4. If your skin starts to peel, gently exfoliate the area while in the shower. This will help new skin to grow and for your burnt skin to heal faster. Trust me when I say to do this gently though, your skin will thank you!
5. Apply mositurizer liberally. Your skin will be super dried out after all that sun exposure. Make sure to apply a lot of mositurizer to help keep it hydrated and healthy looking.
6. Drink up! You'll get dehydrated after laying out in the sun all day. Make sure to drink more water than normal to help prevent this.
Most importantly, listen to your body. If you're getting burt it's wise to stay out of the sun as much as possible -- no tan is ever worth the risk of skin cancer!
What are some tips you have for burnt skin? Have you been burnt already this summer?
I've been on a major smoothie kick lately. I think it has something to do with the nice weather that we're finally getting in Chicago. Also, my parents generously gave Jay and I a Vitamix for our recent wedding shower and I've been obsessed with using it. You wouldn't believe how much of a difference it makes. It's worth every single penny!
I was previously putting a lot of fruit (way too much actually) in my smoothies. I decided to not put any in one day to see if it would taste okay without it. To my surprise, I loved the taste and didn't miss the fruit at all.
I've been having these for breakfasts lately and am surprised on how full they make me. Usually I'm hungry again in just a few short hours, but these keep me full until I can take a break at work.
What you'll need:
One generous handful of almonds or another nut of your choice
One scoop protein powder (I use vanilla egg white protein)
A generous handful of spinach or another green of your choice (I promise you won't taste it!)
1 cup of almond milk or another liquid of choice
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon flax seeds
4 ice cubes
A few dashes of cinnamon
What to do:
1. Put all contents into your mixer and blend for a minute or two.
2. Put in a large cup and enjoy!
Super quick, easy and so good for you! I hope I keep up with these through the summer.
Do you have any smoothie recipes you're loving lately? Share them below in the comments!
The weather in Chicago has been beautiful lately—sunny and
over 80 degrees. The hot temperatures have got me thinking about heading to the
beach and I can’t wait to do so!
If you’re planning a beach day, here’s a list of must-haves
to keep yourself cool and comfortable throughout the day:
Blanket and towel:
My pet peeve is using a sandy towel to dry off. Save yourself some hassle by packing
a large picnic blanket to lay on the sand.
Sunglasses: I
just can’t be out in the sun or do much of anything outside without a pair of
shades. Keep them on as much as possible to protect your eyes.
Leave-in conditioner,
wide-tooth comb and clip: Hair is most susceptible to breakage when it’s
wet. After you get out of the water, spritz your hair with a leave-in
conditioner and use a wide-tooth comb to work out the tangles. Use a clip
instead of a hair tie to secure your hair.
Hydrating mist:
Sitting out in the sun can leave your skin feeling like it’s baking.
Occasionally pull out a hydrating mist and spray it on your skin for instant
relief.
Sunscreen and lip
balm with SPF: If you don’t use sunscreen before heading out in the sun,
what are you thinking? It’s a must to cover your body with sunscreen and
reapply throughout the day. And don’t forget your lips
Wipes: Take along
some baby wipes. It seems like an odd item to bring, but there are several uses
at the beach—use them to wipe your face before reapplying sunscreen, clean off
your sunglasses or even wipe down your arms, and legs if they become sweaty or
sandy.
Beach dress or
cover-all: If you need to get up to find the nearest bathroom, have dress
or cover-all handy to throw on. (Unless you’re totally comfortable strutting in
your swimsuit!)
Water and snacks:
Try to avoid pop and salty snacks—those will just make you feel dehydrated.
Makeup bag: If
you’re planning to go anywhere but home after the beach, pack a bag with some
basic toiletries like deodorant, body spray and toothbrush/toothpaste. Go easy
on the makeup and let your sun-kissed skin shine through—a little tinted moisturizer,
cheek color and mascara is all you need.
Entertainment: After
about half an hour just lying in the sun, I get antsy. Don’t get me wrong, I
love being outside taking in the gorgeous weather, but I always need something
to keep me occupied. For me, there’s nothing like reading a mindless novel. It
always feels really indulgent!
Plastic bags: I
always keep a few plastic bags with me—they’re a must for holding a wet towel
or swimsuit if you plan to change before heading home.
Small empty spray
bottle: If you’re lucky enough to be near an ocean, take advantage of one
of mother nature’s best hair care products: salt water. Fill up a spray bottle
with some ocean water to take home—it’s much better than any sea salt spray.
I have seen so many black bean burger recipes on Pinterest and have wanted to try creating my own for a long time. We finally put the grill out yesterday so it was the perfect time to try it out! I really made up my own thing based on some different recipes and surprisingly they turned out amazing! I hope you enjoy them :)
Black Bean Burger Recipe (makes 3 large burgers)
What you'll need:
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
1/4 cup breadcrumbs (cooked quinoa or dry oats would work great too)
1/4 tablespoon olive oil
seasonings - I just eyeballed it instead of measured and added black pepper, Italian seasonings, hot sauce, cumin and red pepper (can you tell I like spices?)
What to do:
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
2. Using a food processor or blender, pulse half of the can of black beans a few times.
3. Add your olive oil and seasonings and give it a few more spins.
4. In a medium sized mixing bowl gently fold your blended bean mixture with the rest of the can of beans and the breadcrumbs.
5. When mixed together wet your hands and form three medium sized burger patties.
6. On a lined baking sheet, bake your burgers for 30 minutes at 300 degrees.
7. Throw them on the grill for a few minutes to warm and brown them.
8. Enjoy!
I put a little cheese and A1 on mine -- my favorite way to enjoy a burger! I'm so glad I found an alternative to red meat that I love! We enjoyed ours with some grilled summer squash and brussels sprouts.
Have you ever tired black bean burgers before? Let us know if you try this recipe out in the comments!
I don’t know about you guys, but I LOVE summer. When everyone is complaining about the humidity and 95 degree temperatures, I am soaking it in and enjoying every minute. The weather has been just plain ugly this spring. We’ve had two or three nice days, but other than that it’s been chilly, cloudy and rainy.
I’m currently out of town visiting family and the trip couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve been ready for heat and sun since last fall. I’ve been really looking forward to summer and recently bought a new bikini that I can’t wait to wear.
My go-to sources for swimsuits have been places like Old Navy or Target—where you don’t have to spend a crazy amount of money. I’ve always liked what I purchased, but wanted to do a little upgrade. This year I decided to invest a little more in a swimsuit and purchased a bikini from Victoria’s Secret. I’ve never purchased a swimsuit from VS, but am really excited about what I got:
There are a few reasons I like and chose this swimsuit:
The bottom piece is extremely comfortable! It doesn’t feel revealing like some bikini bottoms do.
The top didn’t come in small, medium or large. It was available by bra size so you’re sure to get something that fits you really well.
With the top, I’ve got the option for it to be strapless or I can add straps that tie around my neck.
Mix and match! This is the first time I’ve chosen a different colored top and bottom. I love the combo. There are tons of other color options on VS and they’ve got several other options for the style of the tops and bottoms. I also tried on pink/black and pink/teal as a combo.
Here’s hoping the rain stays away and I can wear my suit to the beach for the first time! Do you have your swimsuit picked out for this summer?
My parents both work for the airlines so I think I'm an expert traveler by now. I've mastered how to pack light for a vacation and thought I'd share some of my tips with you.
1. Invest in a roller bag that can fit in the overhead bins of the airplane (10 x 16 x 24 inches). It's SO much easier not to check luggage if you don't have to. Want to save at least 30 minutes at the airport? Please invest in one. I promise the limited space will make up for it by saving you tons of time.
2. Make the most of your other personal item. Most airlines allow one carryon bag and one personal item (purse, backpack, etc.) I usually bring a huge purse and put all of my makeup, toiletries, curling iron, straightener, book or magazine, iPod, phone, snacks and other things I want to grab quickly during my flight.
3. Start making a list early of things you CAN’T forget. I usually start one on my cellphone and add to it as soon as I think of anything. Check it over before you’re done packing to make sure there’s nothing you’ve forgotten. Earplugs, cellphone charger, camera charger and IDs are things that are always on my lists.
4. I usually get cold on the plane so I bring socks and a sweater (if I'm not wearing them already) to keep me warm.
5. Keep jewelry and belts off until after you're through security and wear shoes that are easy to remove. No one likes waiting behind the people who forget about this. Also - take your laptop out of your bag and place it in the tray before going through the scanner!
6. At least a week before you leave plan out your outfits. I know, I like to have options too but it will keep your over packing to a minimum. I always pack a few backups but usually end up sticking to what I originally planned out. You’ll save room and time in the morning because you’ve already planned out your outfit for the day. I usually try on each outfit as I pack to make sure I don’t forget anything like a belt or the right accessories.
7. Pick shoes that can be worn with multiple outfits and try to wear your bulkiest pair to the airport. This will save a ton of room!
8. I promise that whatever you forget, you can most likely purchase at your destination. It’s not worth stressing about! After all, you’re on vacation – relax and enjoy it!
Do you have any tips to add? What is your favorite place to travel to?
Summer is in full swing – is your makeup bag stocked and
ready? Here are a few things I consider must-haves for summer:
Eye and face primers
Don’t let all the work you put into perfecting your makeup
look go to waste when you step outside. Make sure you’re wearing eye and face
primers, and be sure to pick up separate primers formulated for each area.
A few favorites:
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original
This is my year-round go-to for eye primer. It’s
lightweight, easy-to-apply and it speaks for itself – my eye makeup always
lasts the whole day.
This eye primer comes in a close second. The product is a
little thick, but once blended it will help your eye makeup stay put. As an
added bonus, using a beige-toned eye primer helps cover any redness or
discoloration on your eyelids making the colors you apply more bright and
vibrant.
Summer is the time of year where you can wear fun and bright
makeup colors and it looks totally normal. I’m a huge fan of bright eye makeup,
especially eyeliner. My absolute favorite is wearing bright green. Come on –
you can’t really get away with that during the winter.
A few to try:
Sephora Collection Nano Liner in Chlorophyll
This bright green is adorable. And surprisingly, it works
with a lot of different eyeshadow colors.
Don’t apply a thick foundation – let your skin breathe this
summer! A BB cream or tinted moisturizer is perfect to wear “it’s hot outside”
is an understatement.
Here are a few favorites:
Garnier BB Cream in Fair/Light
This is the BB cream I am currently using, and I couldn’t be
happier. I bought this on a whim from Target and have been really satisfied
with how lightweight it feels and covers up any imperfections on my skin.
Second only to bright eyeliner, bright lip gloss is another
summer makeup must-have. I prefer it over lipstick, because it doesn’t feel or
look so heavy on the lips.
Try these:
MAC Tinted Lipglass (try Pink Poodle, Saint Germain or
Angel)
I can’t get enough of MAC lipglasses. These lightweight
glosses give a big color payoff without feeling too sticky or heavy.
Stila’s lip glazes are a little bit thicker than a normal
lip gloss, but they have so many color choices that are perfect for summer. The
lip glazes don’t wear off easily and no matter which one you choose, you can be
sure your lips will have a really pretty sheen or shimmer.
I religiously wear sunscreen, so I can’t say I’m sporting
any kind of a tan – even in the midst of summer. In order to fake it, bronzing
powder is a staple in my summer makeup routine.
Tarte Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess
This is a perfect color for lighter skin tones – it doesn’t
look too orange or ruddy. It’s best applied lightly in layers.
