Motivation

How to keep yourself motivated.

Mix it up

 Because no one likes a boring old routine and plus you will plateau that way. If your gym has classes go to them. I swear by spin class. There's no way I'd ever be able to do them alone, but with the motivation of some kick-ass ladies I'm all for it! This also means that if the treadmill is your thing and that's all you do, mix it up with some strength training (as you know I'm all for pure barre). But if you don't have pure barre in your neighborhood try online pilates. It's nice because you can do it in the privacy of your own home and you need little to no equipment.

Don't go at it alone

 Having someone to motivate you and keep you accountable is the best! If you make a workout date with a friend you're less likely to miss it than if you were doing it alone. Brian, my boyfriend and I go to the gym together the majority of the time. We don't necessarily workout together while we're there, but just the act of going together really helps motivate me! So make some sweat sesh plans.

Dress like the sexy babe that you are

 When you're dressed the part you workout harder and just feel better about yourself. Here are some cute items that will make you want to get your sweat on

Layered Tank- C9 Champion

Free to Be Sports Bra- Lululemon

Supermodel Capri- Victoria Secret

Go at the right time of day

 That ladies and gents depends on you. If you know you'll never ever go after work because you're just too tired and nothing sounds better than your fave TV show and a glass of wine, get up early and go then. I know it's sometimes hard to get up in the am but exercise will get your heart pumping and help wake you up. I work out at night most of the time because I'm a baby when it comes to sleep (7-8 hours) and it's easier for Bri to workout then too. But really anytime of day is fine, just as long as you go.

And last but not least no excuses

 To reiterate, if you really want results you have to work really hard for them. As much as I wish it did it won't just happen overnight. Stick with it because you deserve to look and feel great!

Happy exercising

::Kari::

Why I'm loving Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil is theee best! It is so wonderful for your skin and it's all natural, no sickie chemicals! I hate those anti-aging creams at the drugstore that have tons of chemicals in them that you can't even pronounce. Thanks but no thanks...

Also, Miranda Kerr swears by it-- who wouldn't want her skin?? It's full of antioxidants and works on a cellular level to rejuvenate skin. Hey, if it works for her it works for me.

Here are the deets on rosehip oil:

• It helps clear acne and eczema. When I was younger I always thought oil was the enemy for oily/combo skin, whelp turns out its the complete opposite. Combat oil with oil. Who knew...
• Reduces wrinkles. Umm...YES!! 
• Rehydrated the skin and minimizes scars. Love it!
• Repairs damage skin cells
• It's light weight. So no grease-ball face. 
• It's full of antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory 
• It restore elasticity and protects again environmental stressors that can cause wrinkles
• Helps remove makeup without rubbing like crazy (because I'm assuming everyone wants to keep their eyelashes!) 

It's a  miracle oil! Seriously. Try it and let me know what you think! 

Feelin sickie

I have a baaaad case of the sore throat. I actually lost my voice last night-- I tried saying something to my cat (crazy cat lady I know) and nothing came out, I was actually kind of freaked out. So anyway today I'm feeling like crapola. 

I went out to Target to pick up some of my favorite remedies.

Magazines: because who doesn't love lounging around reading mag-- instantly feel better.

Ricola: natural cough suppressant...nuff said.

Detox tea: for drinking probably more than I should have for being sick last night.

Throat coat tea: to help sooth my scratchy throat.

I'm hoping by tomorrow I'll be feeling so much better. 

But Sundays are for chillin and that is exactly what I'm planning on doing.

I'd love to hear how you guys battle colds, what are your best remedies??

Happy hour at the Barre (Bucktown)

I get so bored if I don't mix up my workout routine (like look at my watch and think "oh my gosh only 30 seconds have gone by??!! I could have swore it's been 30 minutes!!). A little dramatic? I don't care. I'm just the type of person that seriously needs to switch it up every week. I'm always looking for new things to try and well I found a cute little place that lift, tones, and burns && where I NEVER EVER watch the clock. This burn so good place is...drum roll... 

 

I swear when class starts I don't even think about what time it is until it's over, because it's such a fast pace workout that really tests my limits that all I can really think about is performing the moves correctly. Plus the staff at pure barre bucktown is amaze! I hadn't been in for 3 weeks because of traveling and both the person at the front desk and the manager remembered me right away. I felt so special :)

What is pure barre: So basically pure barre is a low impact way to lift and tone your bod. They focus on all of the problem areas (or at least mine) arms, legs, seat, and abs. The movements are very small and isolated so at first you wouldn't think these movements would do anything, but OMGGGG you'll feel it right away. I have been doing pure barre for about 5-6 days a week for the past month because they give all new clients a $100 for one month deal. But now that I have my base and my month client special is over with I'm planning on going 2-3 times a week and add cardio the other days to melt fat and let my pure barre physique show through. 

If you're ever in the Chicago area or if you live here go to pure barre bucktown. Trust me you'll love it! ~~~ and tell them Kari sent you ;)

Why it has been so long

Hi lovely readers! I'm so sorry I have been MIA for so long... a lot has happened since I last posted; including some reflection time, a new job, and basically just organizing my life both mentally and physically. 

I started a new job on August 5th; I am a pre-k teacher at a wonderful school in lincoln park and I could not be happier! My old job was just a big ol' mess. My boss was bat sheeeet cray and did some horrible things she shouldn't have so I knew for sure that it was my time to get the heck out of there and I did at the perfect time. 

So after 2 1/2 months at my new job I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of things around there and not feeling like a complete outsider. They work me like crazy but in a good way- I'm really enjoying the experience. I am truely way happier there than I ever was anywhere else. 

I also needed to take time to reflect on losing both my Grandma and Grandpa (on my Dad's side) in less than a month from each other. Back in March and April my Grandparent's passed away from old age. I have never lost anyone close to me before so I took it pretty hard. I just needed to take some time for myself and let it really sink in and face all of my emotions. I'm doing better today but not a day goes by that I don't think about them. I'll always miss them!   

So anyway, in the beginning my focus for this blog was more along the lines of fashion but as I started thinking about it that is only a little part of my life. I also enjoy cooking/baking (healthy treats of course), exercising not only for my body but also for my mind, and just overall living the healthiest life but still being able to indulge in life's pleasures. In a sense I'm turning this into a lifestyle blog where I'll focus on all aspects of my day to day life and what I'm loving at the moment, along with fashion aspects too :)

 And as always, if you'd love to see something on this blog that I'm not coving please email/comment!

So I just wanted to let you all know that I am back and better than evah! 

xo

Kar