Can you believe that January is almost over? Well that can only mean one thing! Today I am telling you all of my January favorites. The First is the NYX lipstick in Paparazzi. It comes off as a matte peachy color and doesn't smudge! It is also very affordable, with the price tag at $4. Another favorite is the Benefit's they're real mascara. If you curl your lashes before applying your lashes will look amazing! It does a good job of separating your lashes so that you get voluminous lashes. My next favorite is peppermint tea! I try and have mine with just milk, but sometimes I splurge and add some sugar. I have also been loving the OPI nail polish in Hey baby. It is bold, bright, and just plain fun to wear. Since it is still cold outside I have also been any infinity scarf I can find. When it comes to songs, I have had quite a few favorites. My first is Take a Walk, by Passion Pit. Another one is Back to the Beginning by Switchfoot. While trolling iTunes, I discovered a gem. This band (The Head and the Heart) is my new go to band. Their songs are alternative and are perfect to listen to at any time of day. When I came across them I immediately fell in love with Winter Song.
Now I wouldn't call myself an avid book reader, but this month I have been starting to read Love, Life, and Elephants, by Dame Daphne Sheldrick. This book is the story of Dame Daphne and how she learned how to successfully raise new born elephants. It starts by telling how her family moved form South Africa to the heart of Africa. She talks about growing up in Africa, and why she decided to devote her life to wildlife. In the 50 or so pages I have read so far there has been a lot a thrill. If you didn't know it was an autobiography, you'd think this books was fiction.
Many people have been awing over the FitBit. Recently I have found something that I like even more. Since I have been trying to go on runs each day, I need to know how far I've gone, and how many calories I've burned. This watch (GSI) measures how long you've run, how many calories you've burned, and how many steps you've taken. On its own website it is $130.00, which is more than the FitBit, but on amazon it is only $30.00
What are some of your January favorites? If you want me to post certain types of blog posts, email me suggestions at urbanlifexo@yahoo.com I want to write things that you like to read, so send me ideas!
As always,
xoxo Em
*not sponsored, all opinions are from yours truly :)*
We live life to be happy. Different things make each of us happy, but many things can bring us down. Every day you should wake up ready to take on the day, and every night you should go to sleep satisfied with what you accomplished. We all have bad days, but in general you should feel good about yourself, and what you are involved in. Try and limit the amount of caffeine you ingest. Since it is a stimulant, it will heighten many things in your body, including your emotions. You will get stressed more easily and have mood swings. Instead of having your daily dose of coffee, try some herbal tea. Herbal tea has many benefits, and you can pick and choose which teas you want. Peppermint tea relieves stress and can help with stomach problems (such as bloating and gas). Lavender tea relaxes and soothes you. Lemon tea helps to prevent skin cancer and aids with digestion. Plus, each of these has their own unique flavor.
Try and take daily walks around where you live. Don't bring your iPod, just take this time to enjoy the scenery. Listening to the sound of the city, (or wherever you live) will help to relax you.
Another thing to do is have a clean home. Clutter stresses out your brain, even if you don't feel it. Also, the actual act of cleaning is very therapeutic. Wherever you live, it should be a sanctuary. When you get home you should be winding down, not seeing more clutter you want to pick up.
This blog just reached the 1000 views mark! Thank you so much to each and every one of you for reading this blog. I put a lot of time and effort into this, and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
- Dalai Lama
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/dalailama166116.html#swbIA2psMp5QJ8Iy.99Happiness
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/dalailama166116.html#swbIA2psMp5QJ8Iy.99
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/dalailama166116.html#swbIA2psMp5QJ8Iy.99
As always,
xoxo Em
*not sponsored, all opinions are from yours truly :)*
The first blog post of the new year! This look incorporates fashion as well as warmth. Wearing shorts will give you a small feeling of a warmer season, and the socks will keep you warm. The shorts also help to keep this outfit from getting too dark. While looking for shorts, keep the color relatively dark. When wearing this look, try to have a nail color on that matches the color of your shorts, and wear a light colored eye shadow. Also, try to keep the eye liner to a minimum. With all this dark clothing, you may look goth. If that is your style, then by all means, wear black nail polish and eye liner! But if that is not your style, keep the makeup light and natural when you wear an outfit like this.
I know that I don't have links for these items. Simply go to the shopping tab/page and I'll have the links to these clothing items (or similar items) so you can recreate this outfit however you want to! Hopefully your year has been off to a good start!
As always,
xoxo Em
*not sponsored, all opinions are from yours truly :)*
As 2013 ends and 2014 begins, many people will come up with a list of New Year's resolutions. Will all of these people keep to their goals throughout the whole year? Probably not. But having goals for yourself is good, and their is no better time to start. One resolution you can have is to go on a cleanse. Try and use organic cleaning products and toiletries. Go with organic food, and throw out the Cheetos. Try and stay active. Once in a while, treat yourself to a pampering night in. By doing these things, you will feel better about where you are in life. The new year is a perfect time for change. Bored of your hair, go for a totally different look. Don't like your wardrobe? Sell all of your clothes and go on a shopping spree. If you happen to suffer from any negative repercussions from any changes you do, at least you have the whole year to rectify them.
Every year, I take an old jam jar and decorate it to fit my room. Whenever something good happens to me, I write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. At the end of the year, I look at it to see all of the good things that have happened to me. Also, if you have a bad day it doesn't hurt to open the jar.
Another resolution is to be a better person. Try and volunteer and food banks or homeless shelters. You learn to appreciate what you have, and helping others will also benefit you. If you see someone in need, help them. Open the door for people, give extra change to those in need, and remember, strangers are only people you haven't gotten to know yet (in a safe way of course). What goes around comes around, so be kind to everyone.
Also, try and take a step back. At night, don't go on Facebook, instagram, twitter, or any other social media. Grab a book a immerse yourself in its story. It will calm you down, and will help you go to sleep quicker. Try and get up earlier as well. Although if you wake up at 5:30 day, maybe keep that wake up time. When you wake, make yourself a cup of tea, and skip the coffee. You don't have to do this everyday, but it would be a healthy change. Waking up is hard, but doing stretches and taking deep breathes will help you to feel alert and ready for the day. If you travel to work, try and plan what you want to accomplish on a personal level. Not what clients you to talk to, but maybe how you want to say hi to someone new.
These resolutions will help you have a better 2014, and hopefully aren't as daunting as some other goals that you most likely won't follow through with.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or whatever holiday you celebrate! I wonder how many of are staying or stayed up until midnight?
As always,
xoxo Em
P.S. - I have updated all of the top page tabs (hair, fashion, etc.) so go and check them out!!
*not sponsored, all opinions are from yours truly :)*
Even if you have someone in your life who isn't totally immersed in the sports life, they would sure like to receive on or two of these items.
When you see the apple products, don't worry about the expense! iPod shuffles are $50, and can hold many songs. Yoga mats are also a good gift idea, because they can come in handy when doing many things. They are also inexpensive. Cute water bottles are also a nice stocking stuffer idea and gym bags are a must for any sports junkie.
As always,
xoxo Em
*not sponsored, all opinions are from yours truly :)*
I've come to the conclusion that outfits just aren't complete without the entire look. Here is one holiday look that is sure to put all eyes on you.
Sorry for the messy layout! I tried to put the shoes at the bottom, the nails near the nails on the model, and the hair piece by the models hair. I did a double update today!
As always,
xoxo Em
*not sponsored, all opinions are from yours truly :)*
When it comes to shopping, some of us have more self control then others. Follow these tips, and you'll be sure to leave the mall feeling satisfied. Start by having a budget. If you don't think you can stick to that budget, only bring __ amount of cash with you. That way there will be no way to overspend. Also, have a general idea of what you want to buy. If you see something cute that you weren't expecting to buy, do the 2 2 2 rule. Will you like it two days from now. 2 weeks? 2 years? If not, I would wait to buy it. Also, don't let sales fool you! It isn't what you save, it is what you spend. So unless the sale gives you everything for free, think about what you want before you buy it. Also, if you're shopping with friends, don't let them pressure you into buying things! Just because they think you'll like it, doesn't mean that you will. This goes for anything, if you don't love it in the store, you won't like it at home. But do try and brings friends shopping. Unlike some store managers and workers, your friends will tell you if you look good or not in something. Sometimes people who work at the stores just want you to buy their products, even if you look terrible in them. Last but not least, shop until you drop! Even though men may disagree, shopping can be a workout, so make it worthwhile and burn some calories!
As always,
xoxo Em
*not sponsored, all opinions are from yours truly :)*
