Snacking Frenzy

Now I have to admit, I am an avid snacker.. I love to munch, chew, savor.. I just love food in general, and especially snacks. Well as you know (well, you would know if you read my new years blog!!;) ) I am really focusing on my health this year. This includes what I am putting in my body, and what I am working out! I have noticed that a big area of failure for me is my snacking habits. So, I have researched and put together 10 snack foods that will actually help you lose weight!

1. Cherry Tomatoes – These

2. Snap Peas

3. Almods

4. Apple and Peanut Butter

5. Cottage Cheese and fruit

6. Low-Fat String cheese

7. Hummus with Vegies

8. Protein Bars

9. Caprese Salad on a Stick

10. Sweet and Crunchy Garbanzo Beans

All of these foods are incredibly delicious, and healthy!! These snack foods are power filled to give you energy, suppress appetite, and keep you going longer!

Try them out for yourself and let me know what you think of them!! I aprreciate your comments!

XOXO – Tiff

Work Out Shmurk Out

First of all!! HEY!! It has been a while since I have posted something.. and to that I say, I am sorry! It has been a busy new year, which I am sure most of you can attest to!

Well, if you read my new years resolutions blog, you probably know that I am on my way to a healthier me! Now, this is a little bit cliche’ but I am diligent at making my lifestyle a more healthier one! This actually has been going pretty well. I have changed my eating habits tremendously! I have cut out fast food (for the most part, I do have the occasional taco) and have completely thrown out all of the junk food in my house. I have switched from butter to olive oil, and have taken up snacking (the healthy snacks of course)!

While I have been doing really well in the eating department, there is another element to this equation that I am neglecting… the work out!

I used to have a huge passion for exercise. I would go to the gym at least 6 times a week, and played sports on top of that. About 6 months ago, my grandfather died, and before that he was in the hospital for 6 months. So for a year now I have been out of the gym, and every time I try and get back in, I can’t seem to find that same excitement for exercise as I used to have… Until now!!

Monday January 30th, at Discovery Park in Gilbert, my friend Bre is launching her second boot camp here in the valley (that’s the east valley of AZ, for those of you reading in other states). I am super stoked about this because she is an amazing motivator, and I know that she will help me get that love and excitement for exercise back! Her energy is contagious and her passion for helping people better themselves is infatuating. I am so excited for this because it is different from all the other boot camps out there.. this one is an all girls boot camp!! I don’t have to worry about what I look like at the gym, what guy may or may not be judging me, and I don’t have to be embarrassed by my fitness level. She makes fitness fun, and  for that I say..  HOORAA!!

Now, if you are a lady out there and looking for a gym, boot camp, or exercise program, I highly urge you to join. It will be fun, invigorating, and encouraging! If you have any questions or want to join, leave me a comment and I will connect with you!

I love you all so much and appreciate your views! Make this new year a happy and healthy one!

XOXO – Tiff

Stop. Listen. Refresh.

Reblogged from AshtonTaylor:

This has been filling up my FaceBook news feed all day, so I finally took a moment to watch it. Wow is all that comes to mind. This video is so impact full and true that it made me teary-eyed. Take 4minutes out of your day and watch this spoken word. Truly amazing.

Enjoy!

Outfit Breakdown

This outfit was SUPER simple!! Yet SUPER cute!

I paired a chiffon see through oversized top ($26 petals&posh) with basic skinny jeans ($10 forever21). I slipped on my favorite pair of brown riding boots ($35 Target) and some chunky jewlery ($10 anywhere). I kept the natural curl I have to give this look an effortless and casual feel. 

Tell me what yu think of this outfit, or let me see your version of it!!

XOXO – Tiff

illuminate.

Il-lu-mi-nate: Verb; to supply or brighten with light, light up; to make lucid or clear, throw light on.

This verb is so cool because in fact it is what we are created to be and do as Christ Followers! We must be connected so deeply to the Source, that we are able to supply and brighten with the Light! With our lives we must make sure that we are making clear the love and passion that Christ took up with His life.

Revelation 21:23 (NLT): “And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.”

Let us be connected to the light so that we may be able to illuminate.

Manifest Destiny

In High School, and maybe even before, I learned a term most people learn in American History: Manifest Destiny.

 The other day, in a conversation I had with an old friend, this term resurfaced and evoked thought about Manifest Destiny that I had not researched before.

 Manifest Destiny was a phrase used in the mid 1800’s that invoked the idea of divine sanction for the territorial expansion of the United States. It was basically the thought that America was destined to expand across the North American continent… it was fate… it was destiny.

 I began to think of my own manifest destiny. Since I was little I always had big plans for my life, and I am stubborn enough to not let anyone get in the way of those plans. But the plans I have created and still try to create for myself counteract with my destiny. I truly believe with the depths of who I am, that a divine purpose has been planned and plotted for me, even before I was born.

 I have been given little glimpses and visions of the divine destiny created for me, and it is with insight of these visions, that I am able to choose to manifest that specific destiny within my life. This destiny, this hold on my life by something Greater than I, is evident. It is obvious. And I will let it manifest with everything I am.

 

I am created to expand. Created to grow. Created with Manifest Destiny. 

 

XOXO – Tiff

The Perfect Smokey Eye

Every Girl loves to do the classic smokey eye!! It is a signature makeup look, that can dress up or down! The problem is, not many know exactly how to get this smokey look. Well, I am here to break down the basics, and get you looking your smoking best (I know I am going a little crazy with the smokey puns.. forgive me )

So in the photo above is my basic black and white smokey. I tried to get an angle to show you the full affect of the eye-makeup!

1. Okay, so the first thing we want to do, is prep our lid! To do this we want to use an eye primer! The primer will keep our lid oil free, which will then help our makeup not melt, and make it stay where we want it to. Just make sure that when we apply the shadow, we have allowed the primer to dry.
2. Next we want to apply some liner. I suggest keeping the liner to the upper lid (this helps us not be too harsh with our makeup). You could use a pencil, a liquid, or a clay (something like Mac’s fluidline). Just swipe the liner across the top lash-line, and start to create a thicker line once you have reached the middle of your lid.
3. Now comes our base color. Use a lighter color for your base. I suggest a cream color, but if you want to be colorful, have fun with it! Apply your base color from lid to brow line.
4. Once our base color is applied, lets get smokey! Apply a darker shadow at the outer corner of your lash-line and blend up towards your crease. Once at the crease, blend into the crease towards the inner corner of your eye. Try not to get too far above the crease line (this then becomes more of a wedge look). The key component to this step is to BLEND!!! Blending your shadow is very important. We want our look to be soft and smokey.
5. Make sure both eyes match! Match the deepness of your color, as well as your blending. This is also your time to play clean up. Use a brush to brush away any shadow that might have fallen.
6. Finally, apply mascara!! Find a mascara that works for you and volumize! Play up your lashes because I know your eyes look fantastic!!

I hope these tips have made it some what easier for you access the smokey eye! Let me know what you think! Or if you have any other basic tips about the smokey eye let me know! And before I go, here is a quick tip! Apply your eye makeup before doing face makeup. This will make sure not to ruin your foundation. Also, if you add a little bit of translucent powder to your upper cheek bones, it will catch all the fallen shadow for you!

Alrighty!! Get smokin!! (I mean with your eyes.. please do not smoke.. it isn’t healthy )

XOXO – Tiff

Here’s to a New Year

Whenever a new year roles around, you hear a lot about new years resolutions. A lot of the resolutions are kept for about a week, but soon get lost in the business of the year. Sometimes, people keep their resolutions, and are better for it! But many times, people do not even attempt to create a resolutions list, to avoid failure and disappointment.

I used to be one who would come up with obscene resolutions that were hardly capable of being kept, which soon lead me to be one who never bothered making resolutions. I realized about a year ago exactly, that whenever new years comes along, so does a measuring tool. When we actually look for new years resolutions, we are forcing ourselves to measure where we have come in the past year, and how much farther we want to go. It forces us to stretch ourselves and inspire ourselves to reach new heights, run farther distances, and make deeper relationships. I found that making new years resolutions is actually a great tool that we should be utilizing this time of year! And quite honestly more often.

Looking back on this 2011 year, I have come so far! God has brought about new passions and desires, and has blessed me in numerous ways. I also see ways in which I can develop and grow in this new year. Areas such as discipline (because you cannot conquer the world unless you have conquered yourself) and being healthier (I know it is super cliche, but it’s true)!

Instead of starting this year off discouraged, I am deciding to start it off inspired. Inspired to be better, and do better! Inspired to be courageous and radical! Inspired to be all that I am called to be! And I truly hope you are inspired too!

You are created to be BIG! To be incredible! And 2012 is your year!!

I want to know what are some of your 2012 New Years Resolutions! Share them with me and lets inspire to be!

XOXO – Tiff

Geeky Chic

So I am pretty much obsessed with the geek glasses. It adds a certain pizazz to any outfit. When wearng glasses, you want to be aware of your makeup that you are wearing as well. To help us all out I put together a how – to wear glasses with make-up! Take notes!

1. Glasses cast a shadow so you’ll need to cover undereye circles with a non-creasing concealer. You might want to try a peach-toned concealer, on the color wheel, orange is the opposite of blue, so it will cancel out the shadow!

2. Because glasses will leave marks in liquid/cream foundations, switch to a mineral powder foundation (Youngblood Natural Mineral Foundation in Honey) and swirl it all over your face with a powder brush.

3. Because glasses draw attention to the eyes, you’ll want to frame them by defining the brows.  You can use a brow shadow brush, or a brow pencil!

4. Highlight the lid with a lighter shimmer. Metallic shadows are in this winter, so why not use them for your geek chic look!

5. Add depth with the medium shade in your crease.

6. To really open up the eye, add a white or nude liner to the inner waterline. This will give you a very fresh and clean look, while making your eyes pop!

7. Then line the top and bottom lashlines with the emphasis on the bottom.

8. Really give your lashes a good pinch with your eyelash curler so they don’t hit the lenses (This is SO annoying!). Always remember to pinch three times, first at the root, then walk the curler out a third of the distance and pinch again, then another third out and one last pinch (I call it SUPER CURL!).

9. Follow with a coat of mascara then put your glasses back on.

10. Add some light pink blush to your high cheek bones. This will give your face a nice lift, while also framing your glasses. Add some light color to your lips and you are ready to go!

Geek Chic in 10 easy steps! Love it! <3

XOXO, Tiffany Nicole

Get Amazing Volume Without Teasing!!!

Now do NOT get me wrong, I am a firm believer of a good teasing comb and hairspray, but many people do not like the time and the damage that teasing brings. So here is some practical and easy tips to give you the body you love, in the time frame you love even more!

1. Use a good volumizing shampoo while showering! This will give you great volume right from the start! I love Niche Premium Hair Care’s Volumizing Shampoo. It is a little more expensive, but you are paying for great quality organic products! If you want something more affordable, Burtz Bees has a great volumizing shampoo that you can find for $5 at grocery stores!
2. When conditioning, avoid your root area! The oils in the conditioner will weigh your hair down, completely reversing all your volumizing techniques! Provide your ends with most of your conditioner! This will keep your hair looking healthy while also giving you some body!
3. Once out of the shower, use a volumizing root boost! A great brand isBig Sexy Hair Root Boost. Again,a little on the expensive side but oh so worth it! Want to go a little cheaper? Try Herbal Essence’s Volumizing Moose.  Apply to your roots and give it some heat!
4. When blow drying your hair, you want to take your roots and blow dry your hair the opposite way in which it naturally falls! This is a great basic tip that will add immediate volume!
5. When using your straightener, keep the heat away from the root! Start straightening your hair about an inch and a half away from the root. This will keep the volume you have been working so hard for, while also giving you the sleekness of straight hair!
6. Lastly, apply some firm hold hairspray! A great hair spray is Big Sexy Hair Spray. A little on the pricier side, but another affordable spray isJohn Freida Frizz Ease Hair Spray, you can find this in beauty supply stores for $4! Push your roots up a little, spray upon roots and you should have great body all day!

These are just some great tips that you can use to give you AMAZING body! Try them and let me know what you think! Also, let me know if you have any tips on volumizing hair without teasing! I would love to use and share them!

XOXO- Tiffany