Here's what I've got, babe...

If you're on the east coast right now, you are getting slammed with dreary, rain-soaking, want-to-stay-in-bed-all-day weather {Thanks, Joaquin}. But I have a reason for you to get out of bed—even if it's just for 10 minutes to throw together this warm, comforting, Crockpot Balsamic Chicken. And by "throw together," I really do mean, throw together - with any canned, jarred or frozen ingredients you have on hand. You know the saying "everything but the kitchen sink?" That totally applies here. The base of this recipe is chicken breast and a balsamic glaze that is too die for. Everything else is free game. Feeling Italian? Go for tomatoes, onions, garlic & fresh hearty herbs like basil. Feeling Greek? Go for olives, peppers, red onions & oregano. In this case, I was feeling, "ooooh, look, this might go good!" I raided the pantry, the fridge and the freezer for this flavor-packed hearty meal that was ready in 10 minutes...plus 4 hours of simmer time. Balsamic "Pantry" Chicken in the Crockpot Servings: 4-6 Total time: 10 minutes, plus 4 hours Ingredients 4-6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts {thawed, if frozen} 1 medium onion, sliced thinly 1 can tomato, okra, corn mix {juices included} 1 can artichoke hearts {I poured out most of the juice and reserved a tiny bit for extra flavor} 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 4 cloves of fresh garlic {or, if you're lazy like me...2 Tbsp of jarred chopped garlic} 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 tsp each: oregano, basil and rosemary 1/2 tsp thyme 1 pinch red pepper flakes {or a couple pinches - we like spice!} S&P to taste Instructions Spray crockpot with Pam (or greaser of choice) & set crockpot to High. Drizzle in olive oil, then lay in chicken breasts {flat} and sprinkle with S&P. Top with sliced onions, pantry/freezer findings, sprinkle on garlic and remaining seasonings. {Basically, throw the rest of the ingredients BUT the balsamic vinegar in the pot.} Drizzle everything with balsamic vinegar. Set and forget for four hours! Depending on the flavors you went with, you can serve over rice, quinoa, pasta, orzo, or eat by it's lonesome! The above version touts less than 200 calories per cup, before the "base" {in my case I served over quinoa & drizzled with a Tbsp of balsamic glaze}. Rainy days may be dreary, but at least they're delicious! Psst...More delicious comfort food: Deemed the "Best Chili on Earth" #recipe #hostessinspo #health

Fall is my a b s o l u t e favorite season. The crisp air, the pumpkin everything, the colorful skylines, the bonfires & boots & scarves & F A S H I O N. I think my Fall wardrobe is my favorite of all—and yes, I have a separate wardrobe for every season, would you really expect anything less?! Summer's 70's fashion flare {pun intended} of fringe & crochet & platforms is carrying into Fall with wide legs & floppy hats & funky patterns. I for one am so very excited that this 70s love affair continues... When you have access to corn fields as far as the eye can see, rustic accents like a rundown barn & a photog for a bestie - well, you narrow your favorite 70s trends and get groovy for the camera...baby. All incredible photos by the uber talented & passionate Erin Michelle Photography. My blog shoots will never be the same! {Thanks, gf <3} {70's Dolled Up: A Flouncy Wrap Dress} {I felt like such a doofus twirling my dress & acting like a super model - but I adore this picture. Note to self: always, always trust your photog & just go. for. it.} Dress: Kiki La'Rue Boutique {A favorite online shop that I frequent...like, once a month #noshame} // Floppy Hat: Forever21 {Gifted}, similar & similar with flair // Platform Wedges: Wet Seal {super oldies}, similar & Steve Madden's {the shoe god} // Gold cuff: Francesca's {no longer available}, similar & intricately similar // Necklace: DC Eastern Market {not available online}, similar & tassled // Earrings: Target and similar yet textured {70's Dolled Down: Jean on Jean} Jeans {bottom}: H&M {not as old as the actual 70s, but pretty dang old}, similar {and yes, please! I've always wanted a pair of fab jeans from Madewell} & HOT {also, similar} // Denim shirt: Target {few seasons old} but similar & similar // Shoes: Nordstrom Rack {sale last season}, similar Jessica Simpson & similar {with fringe!} // Purse: Gifted, but similar & adorable bucket style // Bracelet: World Market {oldie}, similar // Necklace: Lucky Brand {no longer available} but super similar // Ring: Oldie {so, basically, who knows!}, similar Happy 70's Fall, ya'll! Psst...More fashion inspo: Cool for Culottes All That Glitters is Gold #shopping #fashion #style #accessories

While I l o v e a good gab sesh about wedding styles {like my gushing over my favs styles of 2015 thus far}, this particular rundown of do's and dont's comes from years and years of befuddled brides, unprepared bridesmaids and *GASP* fallen wedding-day hair. Photo by CJK Visuals How should you prep your hair for your wedding day? What information should you provide to your stylist ahead of time? What should you expect to go down on the big day? Should your bridesmaidsall get their hair done? Do you come with wet hair, or dry? So. Many. Questions. Don't stress ladies—there are far more wedding-related details to stress about, like, what are you going to eat first {after all of that pre-wedding fasting}?! I reached out to some of my fav local stylists who are at the top of their wedding-hair game {no malicious competition here!} to get their input on this subject. Of course, each stylist has their own preference of wedding hair prep, but here are some basic do's and dont's for the most important day of your hair's life! First, and MOST important DON'T, which doesn't really fit in the line-up just yet, but is SOimportant that it gets front billing. DON'T ever, ever, ever sit in your stylist's chair on the day of your wedding with WET hair. E V E R. Unless—and this is the tiniest unless—you are getting a fancy blowout, which most often applies to moms, grandmas, and short-haired beauts. We don't even want to hear the words, "I washed it this morning so it's still a little damp." No, no, NO! If you see the blowdryer come out, and you know you're not on the schedule for a blowdry, this is not a good sign for you. What happens is, you have now added a Blowdry to your hair service, on top of the updo that you've already requested - so this becomes a.) two services, and b.) a time suck that pushes the very pristine schedule back and runs the entire bridal party late. You don't want to be that person—trust me. Aside from the fact that we don't want you arriving with wet hair, we actually want your hair to be a little dirty & gritty, which would, of course, require your hair to be, what...DRY. Look, I know this is harsh, and you're thinking, what a stylist Nazi{!!}, but I promise you it is for your own good. You don't want to be the bridesmaid that holds up the bride from walking down the aisle to the man of her dreams, right? Right. {Rant over.} Just DON'T. Okay, now back to our regularly scheduled discussion... DO Scout & book your stylist well in advance of your wedding day! During high-wedding seasons {April-June & September-October in the DMV} your favorite stylist will book up in a f l a s h. If you don't want to have to settle for your cousin's mother in law's grandmother's stylist who perfected the perm in the 80s, you want to get your date on your stylist's calendar ASAP! {FYI, I book up, on average, 9 months to a year in advance—less popular wedding months may still be available a few months out!} DON'T Skimp on the details. My first response to a bride almost always includes a bevy of questions that will help both of us in the planning process. A few at the top of the list that are a m u s t know: date/time/place of the wedding; location where you're getting ready {if different from the wedding venue}; whether you're having a first look {or not} and what time you'll need to be completely ready; how many ladies will be having hair services; what time the photographer is arriving to capture you slipping into that gown, etc. DO Have a trial! Send your stylist pictures ahead of time with notes as to what you like. That way, at the time of the trial the stylist will be fully prepped and able to consult with you over the direction of your wedding hair. Typical trials include one, maybe two takes on a style - not ten. So make sure you have a pretty good idea of the direction you'd like to go. But of course, there are ways to prep for a trial, too—I've got you covered! DON'T wait until the last minute to provide details on who is getting their hair done, and whatthey're getting done. The sooner, the better. In fact, you can send me you and your girls' looks as you come across them—even if it's 9 months prior to the big day! I start building out your file the second you officially secure your date with a deposit, so feel free to pad that file with as many details as your heart desires. I also accept Pinterest links to private boards where you and your girls have been hoarding hair ideas. About two weeks prior to the wedding I use these pictures to build out the final schedule and pass along to you/your girls/your coordinator so we are all on the same page and ready for the big day! {If this is something you would like, I'm sure any stylist would be willing to build out a schedule! Feel free to ask me for an example.} On a side note, while it is up to each bride as to whether they want their entire wedding party to have their hair done professionally, I will tell you that it looks much cleaner, streamlined & stunning for each girl to have a done-up 'do. If your bestie is hair-savvy and can handle her own, that's awesome! But you wouldn't want 5 out 6 of your bridesmaids to be dolled up, just to have the 6th stick out like a sore thumb with her self-done limp locks. Something to ponder! DO Provide a contact person/number/email for day of coordinating. These days, wedding coordinators are uber helpful in running the show {such as a F A V of mine—Pop The Cork Designswith darling Jenna}. But whether you have your very own Frank Eggelhoffer, or a friend or cousin who has graciously offered to be the vendor coordinator for the day, make sure your stylist has the contact as well. Reasons we may need to bug the coordinator: to find out what room you're in at the hotel; to have her/him track down the tardy bridesmaid that should have arrived 5 minutes earlier for her time slot; for payment at the end of the service as you're slipping into your gown, etc. The resilient Franck DON'T stick your stylist in a bathroom to do hair all day. 1.) No ventilation and three cans of hairspray leaves us sounding like a 3-pack-a-day smoker. 2.) We have to clear out every time a girl has to pee...and most wedding days offer a bevy of girls. And 3.) The limited space is not conducive to doing our best work—especially if there are multiple stylists whipping up your wedding do's, not to mention several bridesmaids fighting for a mirror to check their make-up or hair. Really, we're flexible, and we can work anywhere. Sure, we'd love to be set near open french doors, with ample plugs at our disposal, the largest table in the history of time, and plush yet low-back chairs. But let's be real - most hotels offer a tiny desk, horrid lighting, windows that don't open, the highest back chairs they could find, and one measly plug. We come prepared with surge protectors & patience, so we will work it out anywhere...other than the bathroom ;-) DO arrive on time—in fact, run before time, preferably 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Ideally, a stylist will run ahead, and if that's the case, he/she would rather stay ahead. Better to be early than late! A lot of girls spend the entire day, from start to finish, at the bride's chosen location, enjoying mimosas, the wedding station on Pandora, and taking in the day's festivities. This is the best possible scenario for a stylist, as all we need to do is yell out for the next girl, instead of having the coordinator anxiously track down the bridesmaid that no one has heard from since they last saw her dancing on the bar at the after-rehearsal party. DON'T be so preoccupied with wedding day chaos that you can't sit and enjoy your hair service. We know there are last minute things to be done - cards to be signed, speeches to write, directions to give, seating charts to be rearranged, calls to be made, etc. But getting up and running around, stressing over who is doing what, prolongs your hair service and sets off the schedule. The day is here, the deeds are done, now sit, relax, mimosa and enjoy. Bride, bridesmaids, MOTB, it doesn't matter - I'm betting you all deserve the relaxation at this time. {P.S. Again, another reason why day-of coordinators are great - they can handle those last minute tedious tasks!} DO take the time to HAVE FUN!! This is likely the first time, and may be the last time for a while {as life intervenes} that you and your closest girlfriends and family are spending the day together, getting all glammed up, sipping on shamps, and anxiously counting down the hours to the best day of your life. Every single bride or bridesmaid says, "Wow, we still have so much time," just to turn around hours later and say, "Holy cow, where did the day go!? We have to get dressed!" It flies. So step back, take it in, and know this is all for you, or your bestie, or your daughter—enjoy it. Happy wedding day—happy wedding hair!! <3 Oh, and one last DO—remember to tip your stylist! Afterall, she/he holds the bobby pins to your wedding day hair ;-) Psst... More wedding hair inspo! 2015 Wedding Hair: Halftime Favorites! #hair #hairstyle #weddinghair #SilverLiningsSalon

Everyone who knows me, knows I loathe clean hair. *Blech* What am I supposed to do with this squeaky-clean, free-flowing, natural, freshly-washed hair?! Dirty it up! That's what. When you spend a good portion of your week with gritty strands, you get creative with how to style them. One of my go-to's for sprucing up a dirty-'do is by incorporating a headwrap. There are SO many ways to wear a headwrap - these are just a sprinkling of my favs! Things a headwrap are good for: Transitioning from clean, down & bohemian to dirty, gritty and pony. Masking roots! Insta-accessorizing tool. Taming those pesky in-between bangs. Taking your style from boho-babe to sweet princess in the swoop of a bow. Finding a headwrap that can make all five of these things happen, while staying stylish, practical & most importantly - staying PUT - is a task. That's why I'm o b s e s s e d with Simply1Love's headwraps. Hello gorgeous, tribal, diverse, beauty - wrap me up! And what's a headwrap without a hair tie? Simply1Love - at it again. Not to mention: floral halos,turbans {LOVE a good turb}, festive hair ties, Mommy & Me scarves {anything mommy & me is just ah-dorbs}, hair jewels & so much more! I'm a frequent Etsy-shop swooner & daily Instagram stalker. Join me - shop, stalk, swoon - WRAP. Psst...Hair how-to's got me like - more, more, more! I Like Big [Hair] Buns {And I Cannot Lie} Beach-Waved Bob Tutorial #hairtutorial #hairhowto #hairstyle

First it was chalky Slimfast shakes, then it was juice bars serving green grain in a cup with a straw...and then, then ShakeO came onto the scene and all was finally good with my tastebuds. But after nearly three months of shakin', blendin' & sippin', I was ::GASP:: getting bored. Then one day a friend took me to South Block Cafe where they make cold pressed juice {blech! Sorry, I just can not fathom drinking my veggies.} and acai bowls. What's an acai bowl? Actually, let's go back to the basics so you actually know what you're talking about/eating when you mention acai {Ah-Sigh-E}. Acai is a type of berry that hails all the way from Brazil, which is why you might feel as though you're paying a pretty penny for that pretty bowl. Here in the US we only have access to frozen acai puree - not the whole fruit. To turn that pricey fruit puree into a bowl you blend it with other frozen berries {berry-besties?}, a frozen banana, plain old ice, and then add splashes of almond, soy or coconut milk to thin it out. But don't thin too far - your final product should mimic ice cream. Frozen, smooth, berrylicious ice cream. Then you top the bowl with whatever your taste buds desire: fresh fruit, granola, coconut flakes, a dollop of peanut butter, chocolate chips, oats...my head is spinning at the possibilities. It's like fake-me-out froyo, ya'll! Since I have yet to come across frozen acai puree {though there are rumors that it can be found at Whole Foods}, I did the next best thing and turned my ShakeO into a bowl. ShakeO BowlO?! Mind. Blown. Tastebuds having a rave - glow sticks and all. Step 1: Blend your ShakeO of choice! Like this Vanilla Strawberry Banana, or this Strawberry Tropical Paradise, or go towards for a more froyo-worthy flavor like Chocolate Covered Berries. Then, add ice, ice, baby. Lots of ice. Blend. Keep adding. Blend. Little more. Once you get to that super thick, ice cream-like consistency, you're ready for a bowl. Look at that ice cream consistency! I could just gobble it up with a spoon... but wait! There are toppings to be added... Step 2: Top your ShakeO bowl with complimenting flavors. For this berry-filled Strawberry ShakeO I went with even more berries {blueberries and raspberries}, granola laden with nuts, half of a sliced banana, and coconut flakes. Step 3: Eat ASAP! Like ice cream, this bowl will melt and thin out, so in order to get a good scoop you'll want to dig in immediately. But really, once you have your beautiful bowl built out it will be nearly impossible to refrain from scarfing eating anyway! Next up - d y i n g to try my hand at a PB&J blended bowl! I can just picture it now, with a dollop of PB on top, surrounded by sliced bananas and nuts ::drool:: Coming soon... Psst... More drool-worthy mash-ups: Banana Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Shakeology Summer Shandy Lemon Oreo Cupcakes Summer Shandy Lemon Oreo Cupcakes #recipe #health

It's about to be the biggest day of your {hair's} life! It will likely be the most photographed, most gawked at, most coveted day of its existence since birth—when, let's face it, your "hair" was more of a peach fuzz. So, before your hair makes the biggest entrance of its life and walks down that aisle {where e v e r y o n e will be staring at the back of your style}, do yourself a favor and get a trial! I teamed up with {aka, gossiped with} some of my favorite stylists to bring you our inner-stylist thoughts about your trial—the good, bad, and just. DON'T. Even. If you still have questions about your trial {whether I'm your chosen wedding day stylist, or not!}, add them in the comments and I'll steer your hair in the right direction. DO Stalk your stylist's work. With social media access these days, it's near impossible not to catch a glimpse of some of your stylist's previous work. Make sure their style is your style. If you're looking for a soft, romantic, Taylor-Swift induced style and there's nothing even remotely in the realm of soft and romantic on your stylist's page, chances are that's not their style! DO Your prep work! Send your stylist pictures ahead of time with notes as to what you like. That way, at the time of the trial the stylist will be fully prepped and able to consult with you over the direction of your wedding hair. Typical trials include one, maybe two takes on a style - not ten. So make sure you have a pretty good idea of the direction you'd like to go. Which brings to me... DON'T Have the trial so far in advance of the big day that you a.) find another style on Pinterest that you'd rather try on your actual wedding day, b.) forget what you did/didn't like about the trial that you'd like to alter for the big day, or c.) didn't have your hair piece/veil in yet so you couldn't see how that would be incorporated into your 'do. The trial should be a part of the festivities leading up to your big day—I suggest having it done 3-6 weeks before the wedding so it's final, fresh in your mind, and lends to the festivities! DO Arrive with completely dry hair. Unless your wedding day hair will be a fancy blowout {which is usually reserved for the mother-of-the-bride & grams}, you should have pre-blown tresses when you walk in for your trial. Now, this isn't to say that you have to come pre-styled—we can work with just about anything, as long as it's not wet {get the point?} or stick straight. Curls are a plus! Anything that has a little built up grit {products, previously styled, a little dirty} is a bonus because it will help the style mold & hold. Trust me when I tell you that we'll have much more detailed hair-prep instructions for the big day, but for the trial, we can fly with dry! DON'T Show up with your entire bridal party, immediate family, second cousins, neighbors, Kindergarten BFF and grandma. This is your trial. While we do encourage you to bring your mom ormaid-of-honor or a chosen person {or persons - two is fine!} whose opinion you value greatly, we try to discourage from an entire peanut gallery. Sure, it gets crowded and we get a little overwhelmed, but this suggestion is really for your sanity. Your entire crew is not going to agree on a style, which will sway your feelings about your wedding 'do and ultimately lead to indecisiveness. Stand your ground! You want it down, not up. You want it curly, not straight. You have a very different style than grandma, so don't feel the pressure to beehive-it-out {though, I'm totally up for that}. This is your hair, your decision, your trial. DO Be open to suggestions. I know, I know - I just told you to freeze out the peanut gallery - but when it comes to your chosen group of trial attenders, and when it comes to your stylist, they may be seeing something you're not. Getting married in the thick of Summer with the DMV's humidity level? It may be time to consider an alternative to a completely down 'do. Will the back of your wedding gown be intricately designed? Time to ditch the lifelong dream of a half updo and let that dress shine with an updo that doesn't block the view! A stylist will ask you questions about your look for the entire day and you two will work together to come up with a style that compliments your look—and doesn't deter from it. Or, at least, that's what a stylist is supposed to do... DO Speak up! The whole point of a trial is to see what works—and what may not work so well. If you're particular about your swoop, let the stylist know. If you're afraid of being too Snookie-ish, speak now or forever sport your poof. Stylists have very thick skins—we have been beaten and bred and prepped for situations just like these. Your quirks about your hair are not insults to us—we want you to be completely in love with the look you wear on your big day! However, that's doesn't mean you can nitpick to death... DON'T Be a prickly picker. That flyaway piece, that droopy bobby pin and that curl out of place that you keep eying in the mirror—those aren't going to be there when you say 'I do'. The trial is to create the concept of the look, discuss the outcome, make tweaks and notes about how to edit it next time around, and then wait to see the 'do of your dreams come to fruition on the big day! Yes, I see that piece - no, it's not going to be like that on your wedding day. Duly noted. You picked us, now trust us, because we know how important your hair is for the biggest day of its life. Alright ladies, don't be shy - anything else you were wondering about the anxiety of a bridal trial?? Ask away! Psst... How about a little bridal trial inspo? 2015 Wedding Hair: Halftime Favorites #Hair #weddinghair #style

Here I go again, shaming Shakeology and turning one of my favorite desserts into a *nutritious* shake! Read it [the ingredients] and weep, ya'll. This ShakeO packs a serious nutrition-punch: oats, banana and spinach? Can you say fiber & protein packed? Oh, you can't? It's because your mouth is too full with this delectable dessert-like shake, isn't it? Knew it. You know the drill - throw all of these ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth: 1 packet Vanilla Shakeology 1/4 cup old fashioned oats 1/2 frozen banana (fresh is fine, if need be, but frozen makes it creamier!) 1 cup raw spinach 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (not cinnamon sugar - this puppy is sweet enough!) 1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk Ice to your liking/thickness So, here's where the raisins come in... You can either add a teaspoon of raisin extract in place of the vanilla {yea, it's a for real thing - found, where else, Amazon!} or add a tablespoon of actual raisins - which is what I did. The thing is, my blender didn't really...blend them all that well. But I didn't really mind! I got the flavor and the crunch - and I'm totally a crunch girl. Actually, they're more like a "chewy" than a "crunchy" but I can still did a "chew." Anyway, I digress. All you need to know is that it tastes like an oatmeal raisin cookie, and that makes me as happy as a girl eating dessert for dinner {and not gaining an ounce from it}! Are there any dessert flavors that you would like to challenge me to turn into a ShakeO?? Because I am SO up for the dessert challenge. Leave your suggestions, requests and flavors below! Psst... Fancy dessert for dinner, huh? Add these to your arsenal: Chocolate Covered Berries Milkshake-O Creamy Vanilla Strawberry Vanilla Shakeology #health #recipe #fitness

2015 wedding season returned with a b a n g! Creations' biggest year yet {LOVE that I get to say that every year!} started out with romantic, soft, twisted & twirled do's - and yes, the braid stuck around, too ;-) As we enter the busiest of the two major wedding seasons {Spring & Fall}, I wanted to share a recap on some of my favs of 2015 thus far! Hopefully they will give you some inspiration as you plan out your trial, bridesmaid 'do, mother-of-the-bride coif, and even guest style for your 2015 Fall special event! CONGRATS to all of my gorgeous girls in 2015!!! 3.28.2015 - Lindsay + Alex Photo credit: Michael Moss The inaugural wedding of 2015 was also the w i n d i e s t day of the year. These girls wanted soft, romantic, cascading curls - and why not!? But all I'm thinking of is the First Look that happens pre-ceremony, and girls walking down the aisle with wind-blown hair all awry. Product people, product. Nothing made me happier than seeing the last pictures of the evening - hair all intact. {Shoutout to the best assistant on the block. I could never get this far with weddings without you! You can't have her - don't even think about it.} 5.2.2015 - Keri + Chase Second stylist: Amber Mortimer{@hairguroo} Photo credit: Mike Busada With a 12 woman wedding party, plus moms & grams', my trusty sidekick & a newly coveted second stylist was essential. On the most gorgeous day of the year {seriously, everyone couldn't stop saying it - it was that gorgeous}, we rocked the socks off these intricate styles. The bride kicked off a 2015 trend of natural, flowing, effortlessly-looking curls, that kept her looking like her, but elevated. Talk about a g o r g group of girls! 5.9.2015 - Jen + Erik Photo Cred: This Rad Love {Sarah Williams} Prep meets polish. You'd think this wedding was set in Charleston, with it's southern charm & classic color palette, but it was set quaintly on the outskirts of DC. Each girl had their own take on a polished yet graceful 'do - soft and sweet and natural. The hair really was an accessory to pull the whole look together! {Creations a la Nikki did all styles except the last on the right} 5.24.2015 - Mallory + PJ Photo cred: Carly Fuller The style you choose for your wedding day, or your BFF's wedding day, should scream "you"...but just slightly fancier. Each of these girl's styles was the epitome of who they are: simple, classy, flirty, fun, edgy...and even Kardashian ;-) 5.31.2015 - Karisa + Jake Photo Cred: CJK Visuals {Caitlin Kellagher} What do you get when you pair a romantically twisted updo with a baby's breath flower crown? An ethereal bride <3 The girls' styles were youthful & fun - just like them. The perfect start to Summer wedding season - aka, amen for updo's! Stay tuned for the latter half of 2015's wedding looks - when the DMV humidity finally dwindles, the air gets crisper, and the do's get even softer. P.S. Coming soon... How to prep your hair for your bridal trial and How to prep your hair for your actual big day! Psst...some more DIY wedding-worthy styles: I Like Big [Hair] Buns {And I Cannot Lie} Beach-Waved Bob Tutorial #hair #weddinghair #style #hairstyle

I am no stranger to fitness programs - I have tried almost all of the trendy routines under the sun.Body Revolution, P90x (and P90x3!), 30-Day Shred, Biggest Loser, HIIT's, cross-training, and pretty much anything by Jillian Michaels. You name it, I've done it, and occasionally still revisit my favs. So when you ask me to start a new program with a new instructor that I've never virtually met before, I'm weary, judgement and skeptical...I'm a fitness snob. Nonetheless, my incredible BeachBody coach gave me all the convincing I needed and I started my journey with Chalene and her long and lean limbs. I started BeachBody's PiYo when I was fresh off the heels of training for, and running, a 10-miler. Suffice it to say I wasn't in "bad" shape—I felt strong and energetic. But I was b o r e d. BORED, I tell ya! I was tired of hitting the tread and felt a little bulky from all of the cross strength training that came along with a 10-week running program. I needed something f r e s h, and something that would get me long and lean—something that would make me Summer-ready! Enter, PiYo. This is my full, raw, no-holds-bar review of every single aspect of PiYo - broken down by each workout! Hopefully it will help you decide whether PiYo is a good fit for you...or not...but I'm going to give a pre-review round-up of my detailed review below and say yes, it's t o t a l l y a good fit for you, and you, and you. Align: The Fundamentals {43 minutes} So, like I said, I am a former P90x & P90x3'er, and I've also done my fair share of yoga in the past, so this "workout" was a bit...::grits teeth::...pointless, for me. Chalene basically walks you through the different moves, the terminology, and the layout of the program. This is NOT considered a workout, in my book. I watched 15 minutes and then said, "Okay, I got it," and moved on to the next day's workout. Do yourself a favor and watch this the Sunday before you start. If you feel like you're BeachBody {BB} & yoga savvy, you'll know in the first 10 minutes whether it's worth it to watch or not. If you've never done a BB program or a measly downward dog, this is probably beneficial for you to watch. But I'm more of a hands-on kind of learner - I'd rather do the dog than hear about it. Define: Lower Body {20 minutes} Truth be told, this was a little easy for me, too. Remember, I had just come off a rigorous 10-week running program where we did a LOT of lower body work. At the end of this video I felt like, that's it?! Now what do I do to get my sweat on? Which brings me to... Define: Upper Body {19 minutes} Same song and dance as above - which is to say: a lot of song, not a lot of dance. After doing each of these twice I made the executive decision to start pairing them on the same day. You get a great stretchy yoga-heavy workout for under 40 minutes. I would either pair them together and do a run on the second day, or pair each with a short run or circuit workout pin. I do NOT think they're pointless, I just think they're better served together or paired with another workout. This, again, coming from someone who was used to working out up to an hour a day. So, 19 minutes? I laugh in the face of 19 minutes! This became one of my favorite AM workouts when I needed to wake-up, but not throw up. And then I would do a second workout after or in the PM. Sweat {37 minutes} NOW we're talking!! Sweat is very, VERY, aptly named. You know how you sweat so much, and so quietly, that it's just dripping off the ball of your nose? Times that by ten. The sweat will be rollingoff your nose. The best part of Sweat is, even though you're buns are burning, your legs are quivering, your arms are buckling and your abs are screaming, you don't feel like you're killing yourself. Chalene takes you riiiighttt to the edge, and then BANG - you're moving on. Switching it up and having that fluid motion is likely, I think, why you're glistening like a pig in oil. This is one of my absolute favorite PiYo workouts!! Core {30 minutes} Anything core is always my favorite - I love a good ab-crushing workout! This one is no different. It is core at its finest - encompassing some of my favorite and well-known core moves {like the bicycle}...and newly hated core moves {PiYo pike, anyone?}. But when I say "hate," what I mean is, love to hate {hate to love? Either way.}. This is 30 nonstop waist-cinching minutes, but they FLY and you're left feeling tight and taut. P.S. The last move is a funky little side-plank meets bend backwards in half and kick forward move that you have to live to understand - but it's a new fav! Buns {28 minutes} Of STEEL, ya'll, steel. Not to be graphic, but I think my buns are my most, um, enhanced, aspect from this workout? Yea, enhanced. This bun-burner will leave you feeling like you can barely sit down - in the best way possible. I think the first day after I did this workout for the first time I actually contemplated crawling to the bathroom, and then somehow figuring out how to hover over the toilet. You know the feeling - this will certainly give it to you. Chalene again takes you right to the edge when you think your gluteus medius {that's your bum-cheek-bone} might very well pop right out of your skin, and though mine now looks like it might at any second, I thank Chalene from the bottom of my bum for my new Kardashian-esque bootay. {The hubs thanks her, too.} Strength Intervals {21 minutes} This is the perfect quickie to pair with a quick run or Upper or Lower PiYo! It flies! But don't let that fool you - it will still kick your bum and leave you in pain and dripping sweat. I almost always pair this with a 2 miler, or even sneak it in on my "off day." Keep in mind that you can do anything for 20 minutes and you'll crank this sucker out in a cinch. {Just kidding, don't hate me when you're in pain after 20 minutes... Mind over matter!!} DRENCH {48 minutes} Remember how Sweat actually leaves you sweaty? Times that by, oh, I don't know - 30? And you have yourself DRENCH. It is in capital letters for a very good reason. There is no other way to explain Drench, other than that you will literally be left dripping, oozing, drowning in sweat. You clothes will be drenched, your floor will be drenched, and if your dog gets too close, they too will be drenched. This is one of my absolute favorite PiYo workouts, because although it is the longest at a whopping 48 minutes, you feel like you can take on the world afterward! Well, after a good shower, some gorging on a delicious ShakeO, and maybe a nap. This workout takes bits and pieces from every single workout - all of your favorite moves in a nonstop fat-blasting workout. Then you round out the whole thing with 13 minutes of "flow" at the very end. Flow is like yoga on speed - and I swear that's where you elevate from sweaty to drenched. There's a good reason why this workout doesn't make an appearance until week four! Sculpt {26 minutes} Sculpt is a lot like Strength Intervals in the way that it's quick, painful & done before you know it. This is like a mini Drench in fast forward - hitting each area very quickly before moving on to the next. Despite its condensed version, you still get a major workout. The one thing that sets this workout apart from the rest is a chair. Yes, a chair. Your biceps, triceps and glutes will be screaming and pissed at that chair by the end of this one!! Bonus: Hardcore on the Floor {33 minutes} After a few weeks you get the option to swap out Core for Hardcore on the Floor, but truth be told, I was so obsessed with Core that I couldn't imagine substituting it! I didn't try Hardcore until after my 60-day program was over...and boy was I regretful. Hardcore is almost a tiny notch harder than Core and you literally never. ever. ever. get off the floor! After a few weeks of Core I would suggest swapping this out every other time. Don't forgo Core altogether because they both have their strengths {and by strength I mean pain}, but do incorporate Hardcore every now and then! So, there you have it - my honest rundown of PiYo. Did I convince you to sign-up, or did I scare you off?! I hope it's not the latter... If you need any more inspiration that YOU can do this, how about the fact that my BB coach {Gina Notes of Popcorn and Pandas} was actually doing the program the same time as me...while seven months pregnant!! If that doesn't make you get off your bum and start planking, I don't know what will. Thoughts on PiYo?? Please share below!! And feel free to ask me anything else about this strength & toning workout program with my new fitness-BFF, Chalene ;-) Psst! You may also like: 10 Health Hacks: How I Changed My Body, My Life #fitness #health #workout

Three things I absolutely love: 1. Jumpsuits 2. Wide leg anything 3. Wine So, when all three are thrown together in one day, c l e a r l y it's a good dang day. But enough about my awesome day - let's stop and talk for one second about culottes. Back in my day {mimics grandparent}, culottes were called gauchos, and try as I might I just couldn't pull them off. Gauchos were known for making you even shorter & stouter than your original form - they had powers of pure black magic. No one, I repeat, no one looked good in gauchos, unless your name was Gisele Bundchen and you were 7 feet tall. But now, NOW, "gauchos" are back, and they are proportioned much better, so even the shorties like me can rock them. {Note to fellow shorties: you're going to want to throw on some wedges or a little heel with these. Again, we're no Gisele.} I may or may not have up to five pairs of cool culottes now {guilty}... Oh, let's add a fourth thing I love to this day's line-up: crown braids. Half crown braids, to be exact. {Check out a crown braid how-to over on Fashion Washington, by yours truly!} Culotte jumpsuit: Urban Outfitters {no longer available!} but similar {irony that they call it a gaucho jumpsuit...get with it UO!}, similar & yahhhss please // Belt: American Eagle {oldie} but similar // Wedge: So old that I don't remember {eek, sorry!} but similar & similar in tan {and s u p e r on sale!!} // Layered necklace: Nordstrom Rack {in store}, similar & love {ahem, want} // Bracelet: Bravelets & miscellaneous stackables like these & these // Ring: Again, super duper old, but nearly the same on Etsy Aside from my culotte obsession, this day also introduced me to another new obsession: Winery at Bull Run! I consider myself to be quite the DMV winery-er and this has quickly jumped to the top of my list. Hidden in the hills of Centreville, VA, this winery has so many unique elements that have made it a new fav. Delicious wines, breathtaking scenery, an "adults only" side {there's a fun side for families with kiddos, too!}, live music, the smell of enticing food truck fare & hilarious photo op setups {scroll down for our I Love Lucy moment...}. It's a must visit {again, and again, and again...}! {Note: no grapes were harmed in these pictures. Also note: plenty of grapes, in the form of wine, were consumed before these pictures...} #fashion #hairhowto #hairstyle #Hair #accessories #shopping

Again, I feel like I'm totally abusing Shakeology. It's touted as this super healthy, nutrient p a c k e d shake, and I'm shaming it by turning it into some of my favorite delectable desserts. Or am I?? This take on chocolate covered strawberries {with an extra zingy punch of mixed berries—like raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries} is just 300 calories {300 calories!!} and it tastes like I should be sneaking sips when my healthy alter-ego isn't looking. In other words, it tastes like a chocolate berry milkshake. In additional other words—make it. No need to hide in the closet to drink it... Gather up the following ingredients, throw it all into a blender, and watch the milkshake-O magic happen: 1 packet Chocolate Shakeology {or 1 scoop} - 160 calories 1 cup frozen mixed berries - 70 cals 3 fresh strawberries {stem & fixins' trimmed off} - 15 cals 1/2 cup fresh blueberries - 40 cals 1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk - 15 cals 1 cup raw spinach - 0 cals Ice, as needed, and additional splashes of water, as needed - 0 cals {in case you were wondering...} Just to prove this not-so-guilty pleasure is exactly 300 calories - that all adds up to...300 cals. Go ahead, check my math while you sip on your chocolate covered goodness. #recipe #fitness

I can't tell you how many times I have chopped inches-upon-inches this season. All in the quest for the "It" long bob—the lob. I don't think I have to tell you that it's A L L the rage these days. Those fresh blunt ends, the collarbone skimming angles, and the flounce & bounce that comes along with the life of a lob—you must. have it. now. Everyone from Alexa Chung {the original lob'ber}, to Julianne Hough {rocking a double trend, with pink!}, to Jessica Alba, and even known long-haired beauties like Vanessa Hudgens, Jenna Dewan Tatum & Sarah Hyland are taking the plunge! Seriously—e v e r y o n e. If you're one of the brave who made the cut, or if you're considering it but you're worrying about how to style that bad boy - I've got you covered! I would never leave you chopped & lost. Along with the "It" bob, the "It" style to go along with it is fitting for the Summer: beachy waves! There's a trusty technique & slight secret to get those perfect lived-in, blunt tipped, tousled waves. Let's roll through, shall we? Step 1: What's my #1 rule, ya'll? Prep from birth. You know this, so I know you're already following. But just in case you need a refresher: prep freshly-washed damp hair {towel dried} with root lifter & mousse to add some grit. Then blowdry {roughly - not smooth - feel free to use some blowdry spray to protect from the heat!} or let airdry. Step 2: Section out the hair from ear-to-ear by leaving a small layer at the bottom and clipping the rest up. {Hint: I would say I end up with four or so layered sections from start to finish} I typically do a light mist of Kenra's Silkening Mist on each layer to protect from the iron heat and reduce frizz. {See my full list of must-have hair products here!} Step 3: Now here's the trusty technique—you are going to do ALL curls vertically, not horizontally. So while you would normally hold the iron out as if it's laying flat, you're actually going to hold it straight up and down—like you're holding a flag pole {because you totally walk around holding flags, right?!}. Spray a 2-3 inch section with hairspray, then clamp your iron around it, being careful to continue holding it vertically as you curl. {TIP: You also want to leave about an inch out at the ends - this will help with that blunt tips look} Step 4: After holding the curl for a few seconds, you want to lightly pull the iron down {it's still straight up and down - right!? Right.}. Here's that slight secret: as you pull the iron out of the hair you are going to roll over the ends to completely flatten them - as if the last inch of the curl was flat ironed. {Tip: You could actually curl the whole head and then go back through and flat irons the tips when you're done! But who wants to add extra steps and more tools? To each their own!} Step 5: Repeat throughout the whole head, layer by layer, 2-3 inch section by 2-3 inch section. And here's the key {okay fine, there are three major keys to this 'do}: don't touch any of the previously curled hair while you finish. None. No touching. You will look like Medusa and it's fine—just assure your boyfriend/husband/girlfriend/bestie that it will not look like this in the end. Pinky promise. {Side note: Notice in Step 5's picture that the ends are all straight, yes? Don't forget to "flatten" the tips!} Step 6: Nooo touching. Just leave it. Do your make-up, get a drink, gab on the phone, whatever - just don't touch it until your curls are completely cooled {takes about five minutes}. Step 7: When your curls are completely cool to the touch {if it's still warm to the touch—stop. Back away from the curls and let them cool. If you dive in to them, don't come crying to me when you have frizzy humid curls. Heat loves moisture—your hands carry natural moisture—let's not give heat what it wants, okay?}... Anyhoo, where were we? When your curls are cool, put a tiny dime-sized squirt of serum into your hand, rub it between your two palms, and then get. in. there! This is a tousled look, not a coiffed look. Just use your fingers to separate the curls and crunch slightly so it gives a lived-in look. Step 8: Spray for hold and walla! Beachy-waved bob perfection <3 {Thanks to the gf for being my forever (guinea pig) model. Check out her blog here, & her photo magic here!} Psst... Check out my step-by-step tutorial on the Khloe Kardashian "S" Curl! #hairhowto #hairstyle #hair