lately

There has been so much on my mind lately. So many events are happening in the coming months and they are all super fun but my mind is all over the place at times! In between all the fun, I am busy with work, starting my small fitness business, sticking with a 60-day workout program, and fitting in small amounts of time with my sweet boyfriend during tax season (he's an accountant). 21 more days until he is free and all is right in the world!! So, back to my random thoughts and happenings - here are a few things that seemed to occupy my free time or run through my head as of late!

Oil Pulling: Have you all heard of this or tried it?? It kept popping up on my Instagram and Facebook newsfeed from various people. I had to check it out! Apparently there are tons of benefits if it is done consistently: it can boost oral health, strengthen teeth and gums, prevent bad breath, remedy bleeding gums, help with migraine relief, reduce eczema, support normal kidney function, reduce sinus congestion, reduce insomnia, reduce hangover, reduce allergy symptoms, and help detoxify the body...just to name a few. Why not try it, right?? I feel like I am a really healthy person with a good immune system, but it can't hurt to try this ancient remedy!

In order to "pull oil" you must swish high quality oil in your mouth almost as if you were using mouthwash. I tried it with Coconut Oil from my beloved Trader Joe's, but I've also read that some people use Sesame Oil. Any who, here's the fun part!! You do it for 20 minutes!!! Ok anywhere from 5-20, but 20 minutes is suggested so of course I wanted needed to do it for that amount of time. Let me just tell you, the first time I tried it I wanted to gag!! The texture at the beginning is thick and then within a minute the oil melts and it's more bearable. It is recommended that you oil pull first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. You also don't want to swallow any oil because of the bacteria and toxins that have attached themselves to the oil in the pulling process. When the twenty minutes is done, spit the oil in the trash, rinse with water and BRUSH your teeth! Voila!! I'm a week into it and can honestly say that my mouth feels cleaner. I also had a gnarly cold that vanished rather quickly. Who knows if the pulling had anything to do with it, but I'm going to keep at it! Let me know if you try it! I'd love to hear your thoughts!!

Hair: I have a hair appointment set for mid April, FINALLY!! I haven't had my hair done since right before my brother's wedding in the beginning of December! That may not sound horrible to you, but for a girl with dirty blonde hair who likes very light blonde highlights, it is WAY overdue!! I'm thinking of chopping a few inches off (my hair is about 4 inches below the middle of my back) and making it a bit lighter for Spring and Summer. I like this photo of Miranda Lambert's hair, taken from her most recent music video. She looks awesome BTW! Girl is rocking her leaner look!! I'll make sure to take a picture of my hair once it's done so you all can see the changes!! Don't worry, I never go too crazy! I'm all about blonde, healthy locks and will never go too short!! Learned that lesson!

Girlfriends: I am blessed with an amazing group of friends and luckily my boyfriend and I have a lot of the same friends! Normally it's a big group of us, guys and girls, and we always have a great time no matter where we are or what we're doing! That being said, sometimes it is nice to just have a girls lunch! I cherish the relationship I have with these girlfriends! We sat and lunched and sipped margaritas and laughed and played with Elijah (Katie's son) and talked about everything under the sun! It was just what I needed!! Can't wait for the next one!! 

That's all for now! Hope you all are having a wonderful week!!

best. weekend. ever.

Have you all heard of Stagecoach?! Or better yet, been to Stagecoach? Let me just tell you, it is seriously my most favorite weekend! It's a 3-day party (no joke) in the middle of a country music festival near Palm Springs, California! The lineup this year is awesome & I may or may not be obsessed with Eric Church!

My girlfriends and I went for the first time in 2011 and had a blast. Four of us stayed in a guest house about a mile away from the venue which was great! Unfortunately we missed out on 2012 and we were literally depressed about it and vowed to never miss another Stagecoach again! Last year we stayed at our friend's condo in Rancho Las Palmas...helloooo my idea of perfection!! Each morning we were out by the pool by 9am sipping on mimosas and baking in the sun! We'd leave for the concert around 3 o'clock, just in time for the main performances!! Anyone who knows me knows that this type of weekend is right up my alley! While I'll miss the pool sessions tremendously this year, I am excited to camp with my boyfriend's family at the festival!! I've heard how much everyone loves camping at Stagecoach and I'm ready to give it a go!! As long as I can shower, blow dry my hair and put some mascara on, I'll be good!! Since it's "Throwback Thursday", let's take a little trip down Stagecoach memory lane!

Stagecoach 2011 - partying in the campgrounds

2013 - wristband ready and oh so happy!

2013 - April 26th Michael became my boyfriend!!

2013 - Jackelopes with my Big Ahns!

2013 - beers with my cowboy!

43 Days until Stagecoach 2014!!!

7 makeup must-haves!

Happy Friday!! I thought I'd share a few of my favorite makeup products with you guys. Now I am no makeup or beauty expert like my SIL Lindsay, but I definitely have a few items I wear everyday that are good quality and worth the price in my opinion! If you have any other makeup faves I'd love to hear about them! 

1: Benetint in Rose by Benefit Cosmetics

This is a lip & cheek stain. I use it as my everyday blush!

2: Yes, They're Real mascara by Benefit Cosmetics - okay this is the best mascara hands down! I have tried many other types/brands and I will never go back! It's goes on smoothly, makes the lashes look long/voluminous and you don't have to go over the lashes 5 times!

3: Stay Don't Stray primer by Benefit Cosmetics - I use this as a concealer and a primer to keep my shadow put. I love the smooth look it gives on my not so perfect skin coloring.

4: Hoola Bronzer by Benefit Cosmetics -

I love this pressed powder and wear it all over my face, so I actually don't use it as a Bronzer. Great product for many skin colors! 

5: Baby Lips Lip balm in Cherry Me by Maybelline - This is my go-to lip product! It moisturizes and gives out just enough color. I wear it all day everyday and the best part about it is that it's $4!

6: Time Balm Foundation in Medium by The Balm - one of my girlfriends recommended this to me and I love it! It's a light foundation and you apply it with a foundation brush. I don't want my face to look all cakey so this is the perfect amount of coverage.

7: Naked 2 Palette by Urban Decay - so when it comes to eye shadow, I have no clue! This is a palette with many natural hues that are perfect for everyday. My friend Kelly got it for me and it's the best!

So there ya go!! My faves! I also have a favorite beauty store - ULTA!! They have high end beauty products as well as drugstore beauty products. They also have a rewards system where your points equate to cash that you can either save up or use on your next visit. Love that!! Happy Makeup Shopping, girls!! 

I heart fitness

Those who know me, know that I am big into fitness! Working out is a passion of mine and if I don't do it 4-6 days a week, I am not myself. I need it. I crave it. It makes me a happier person and it's something I always want to be better at. 

This weekend I recieved a super exciting Birthday gift! My parents got me a Polar watch/heart rate monitor. I had been wanting one for a while and I used it this morning and absolutely loved it! It made me much more aware of my heart rate and the way I was breathing. I also love that it keeps track of how long you work out and the calories burned! New fitness gadgets/anything fitness related are my favorite and I have a bit of an obsession, but that's okay, right?!

While I'm on the fitness and health topic, I recently joined the company Beachbody as a health coach!! I can't wait to reach my fitness goals through new programs and nutrition, help others who want to
do the same, and build a small business! I'll share more about this in future posts but I am learning so much already! New adventures are fun!