Lifestyle advice

Health:

~Every single night before bed I drink a cup of green tea. Sometimes I mix a bit of honey into it. I do the same thing each morning. It has weight loss properties, is packed with antioxidents, and wakes you up without the harsh effects of caffine in coffee.

~I love vegetables. Carrots and leafy greens are my favorites. Baby carrots with a glass of ice water is an amazing snack, and big hearty salads for lunch are great.

~In the morning, focus on breakfasts that will fill you up without adding extra sugars or fats. Plain oatmeal with a glass of almond milk and some strawberries is a great option.

~For snacks, also choose things that will fill you up, such as almonds, berries, carrots, and believe it or not, beef jerky. 

~Drink as much water as you can. Carry a bottle with you wherever you go and you will feel more obligated to sip on it. Putting water into your body will not only fill you up so you eat less, but it benefits the way your skin looks and the way your body feels.

~Eat small dinner, such as salads with fish or chicken, sashimi, sushi and rice, and non-creamy soups. 

~Noni juice is key to good skin, less stress, and just an all around glow. Noni juice is an all natural juice that definitely isn’t consumed for the taste! Pure Noni juice has a bile-y taste, but mixed with other juices such as orange, it won’t taste as strong. My mom just ordered me a huge bottle of it, and I can’t wait till it comes in the mail!

~Mix chia seeds with water and consume it as a paste on vegetables such as carrots or broccoli. 

Skincare:

~When I’m breaking out, my favorite thing to do is cleanse my face, and then hop in a bubble bath to open up my pores. Then, you can slather on a mask or perform extractions on any blemishes; just make sure you’re covering your fingers with a tissue. 

~Never sleep with make-up on. Cleanse the skin with an oil free cleanser that is going to remove all make-up, rinse with a toner, and use a light-weight moisturizer, unless you’re struggling with dry skin, in which case, feel free to use a heavier moisturizer, given that it won’t clog the pores.

~Don’t cake your face with make-up to cover up imperfections. Foundation and concealer will only make the problem worse, so if anything, use a tinted moisturizer or a lightweight foundation and scarcely apply concealer where needed.

~If breakouts are becoming an issue to the point where your face is becoming sore, do not hesitate to see a dermatologist who can give you exactly what you need to care for your skin. And don’t pick! Otherwise, you’ll be left with acne scarring that can look just as bad as your old blemishes.

~If you feel like you need to apply make-up to make yourself presentable (I know how you feel!), focus on these key steps: Apply foundation/tinted moisturizer where needed; same with concealer. Apply a translucent powder to the skin to ensure that the make-up will last all day. Use a shimmery or matte white/nude eyeshadow under the brow bone and on the inner corner to bring in more light to the face. Drag a bit down the bridge of your nose, on your cheekbones, and above your cupid’s bow (above your upper lip.) Curl your eyelashes and apply a black or brown mascara. A rose salve for your lips (Smith’s or C.O Bigelow) will make your lips look healthy and moisturized.

~Moisturize every single day. When you get out of the shower, apply a lotion over your entire body, focusing on the feet, elbows, knees, and hands. Those areas tend to be the most dry. Keep a hand lotion in your bag to apply when needed.

~Apply a scented oil instead of perfume. Dab onto the key places; behind the ears, on the neck, and the wrists. It will last longer, and will come off as a much softer, more feminine scent.

~If you want to look bronzed, skip the powder, the sprays, and especially ANYTHING having to do with a tanning salon. Purchase a gradual tanning lotion from the drugstore and apply it all over the body after you’ve gotten a shower. Give it about a week and you’ll see a natural tan.

Personality/Lifestyle:

~Never pick at another person to make yourself feel better. Try for a whole day to look at everyone and see beauty in each person. It will make your day better.

~If you compare yourself to another person, stop your mind from doing it and distract yourself. You’re never going to change the body you were given. This will also make your day better.

~Be nice to as many people as you can. Having a reputation of being a sweet person will make your life so much easier and drama-free. Stress leads to so much negativity, so no matter how tricky it may be, be nice to everyone.

~Get yourself out of stressful situations by just letting go. You can’t always be right, and you can’t always win. Learn to let go because it will only benefit yourself. Stress is bad for the body and mind.

~Spend time with your friends and family. Everyone needs alone time, but surrounding yourself with people who make you happy will benefit your health and well being.

~Be okay with not using electronics. Never rely on technology to make you happy. Reunite with your inner child by spending time outdoors when it’s nice out. Dress for the weather and head outside. Nature benefits the body and mind.

~Don’t take everything too seriously. You’re going to fail sometimes and that’s okay. Live life with optimism and happiness. Spend time doing things you enjoy and spend time with people that make you happy. Laughter is the best medicine and learning is beautiful. Do both every day.

Weight Loss Advice

Food:

~Cut out as much sugar as possible from your diet. Fruits are the only exception, since the sugar is natural and healthy.

~The only fat you should be consuming is good fat. Such as avocados, nuts, and extra virgin olive oil, drizzled over salad or tomatoes.

~Eat hearty breakfasts! Focus on foods like oatmeal, chia seeds, and fruit. Drink almond milk, water, or hot tea.

~For lunch, eat things that are going to give you protein, energy, and nutrients. Try salads with leafy greens with some fish or chicken mixed in. Skip dressing because it’s added calories that isn’t that beneficial. 

~For dinner, try things like sashimi if you can get your hands on it, non-creamy soups, and sushi and rice.

~Drink a cup of green tea with honey (optional) every morning when you wake and every night before bed. It has weight loss properties and is packed with antioxidants.

Work out:

~Find a yoga video online or on your TV and do a half hour of yoga every morning when you wake and every night before bed. It relieves stress, stretches the muscles, and makes it easier to sleep, and also easier to function throughout the day.

~Do about 20 minutes of stretching every single time you work out (Now you see why yoga is so beneficial) so you perform better.

~Cardio should last about 30-45 minutes depending on how much weight you’re looking to lose and how much your body can handle.

~The best exercise, to me, is running. Run as much as possible. It’s a full body workout, and for lack of a better term, it totally kicks your ass. Into shape!

* Added note: Get as much sleep as possible. It will benefit your all around appearance and will allow you to perform with more energy when you work out.

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Make-up Advice

~Before applying make-up, wash your face with a gentle cleanser (unless you are struggling with acne, in which case, feel free to use an acne cleanser).

~Finish your routine up with a toner and a moisturizer, which are both selected specifically for your skin type.

~If needed, apply a tinted moisturized/lightweight foundation with SPF to problem areas. Dab concealer on any blemishes you want to cover.

~Set with a finishing powder to ensure it will last all day.

~Apply a highlight color (champagne, nude, or white) above the cheekbones, on the inner corner of the eye, under the brow bone, and above the cupid’s bow (above the upper lip).

~Apply mascara with a combination of wiggling and brushing through. 

~Use a lightweight lipgloss that is going to treat your lips, such as a tinted rosebud salve (Smith’s, which you can purchase at Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie for only 6 dollars).

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Insecurity/Self Confidence/Self Esteem Advice

~Never compare yourself to others. You’re never going to have Miranda Kerr’s body or Megan Fox’s hair, so stop wishing. Focus on making what you have the best it can be.

~Self confidence doesn’t appear overnight. It takes time to build. Have patience.

~Try to remember that someone on this earth has it worse than you do. So what if you have frizzy, unruly hair? A little girl with Cancer has NO hair. Stop wanting what you don’t need.

~Be nice to others. Once you start seeing beauty in everyone, you’ll start to see it in yourself as well.

~Dress for your body type! If you’re insecure about your tummy, don’t wear skintight clothes. Figure flattering outfits will make you feel loads better about your appearance.

~If all else fails, just smile. Don’t take everything too seriously. Live life with optimism and laugh as much as you can. A happy person makes for a beautiful person.

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Relationship advice

~Age is but a number. In certain situations, age matters. Like if it’s a 50 year old and an 11 year old, then that’s a bit ridiculous. As long as your minds and soul are the same age, that’s all that matters.

~Be truthful. I’m telling you, it’s the key to everything. If the truth destroys something, then it was meant to be destroyed. Speak the truth and success will follow.

~Don’t be afraid to take risks! If you like someone, tell them. I’ve made this mistake many times. Who cares if they don’t feel the same way? Then you can move on to the next person. You’ll never know if you never try.

~Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with. I’m serious.

~If you love someone, tell them. It’s not set in stone that the guy has to say it first. Love is a wonderful thing and you should never keep it inside. Say it.

~Don’t be too judgmental/shallow. Yes, sexual/physical attraction does matter to an extent, but don’t base your entire relationship on the way a person looks like. Once you love someone, their physical attributes begin to disappear.

~”Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”

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School Advice

~Remember: the people you meet in high school will disappear eventually, but the lessons you learn from them will last a lifetime.

~Don’t stress about the way you look in school too much. Seriously, no one cares.

~Focus on your grades more than anything.

~Remember that, even if you don’t have the money to get into the college of your dreams, good grades and involvement in extracurricular activities can earn you a scholarship, so keep your nose in the books and your eye on the prize.

~Select electives that will look good on a transcript. For example, if you’re going to college for journalism, taking a journalism elective would probably be a better choice than a pottery class.

~Parents always push their children into realistic jobs but I say “screw that!” Pick a job you’re in love with. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and definitely a job you look forward to. For example, I want to write books. Being an author may not be realistic, but it’s what I love, and that’s all that matters.

~Don’t stand by and watch someone talk about someone else or bully someone else. Say something! I’ve gotten involved in quite a bit of drama for standing up for people, but as long as you can look at yourself in the mirror and be proud of what you see, it’s worth it.

~There is a fine line between being two-faced and being civil. Just because you dislike someone doesn’t mean you have to give them dirty looks in the hallway and talk bad about them. Being civil and kind to everyone is a sign of maturity, not a sign of being fake.

Good luck :) xoxo