Mariah Carey - Triumphant (Get 'Em) ft. Rick Ross, Meek Mill

Kick up the Cardio

Why is cardio so important?
Cardio is important because it strengthens your heart and therefore it does not have to work as hard to pump blood through your body.

How do you get the most out of each cardio session? 
I suggest doing cardio in the morning before your first meal. Your body is most likely to use fat as the energy source because your glycogen stores are depleted. If you are concerned about muscle loss, take 15-25 grams of whey protein before your morning cardio session.

Any tips to make it a little easier?
Make a cardio playlist on your iPod to get you through the workout. Pick out your favorite songs that you love listening to so you forget about the time. 

Aerobic exercise is also important for weight control and it is great for blasting fat. To avoid getting strung out on running, mix up your cardio routine as much as possible. There are plenty of fun cardio exercises such as kickboxing (which I love), bicycling, using the elliptical, swimming, and even step aerobics. This way you will keep you body guessing and your heart pumping!

Jhené Aiko - 3:16am

Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound (2 small whole breasts) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped tarragon
• 1 Granny Smith apple
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 cup finely diced fennel
• 1/2 cup finely diced celery
• 2 cups red seedless grapes, cut in half
• 6 slices pumpernickel bread
• 1 bunch watercress, tough stems removed
• Olive-oil cooking spray

Directions

1. Combine salt and pepper in a bowl. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken with some of the salt mixture; place in saute pan. Reduce heat to medium; cover. Cook until chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes (flip halfway through cooking time). Remove from pan; set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine yogurt, mustard, chives, tarragon, and remaining salt mixture. Core the apple, and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Place in a medium bowl with lemon juice, and toss to combine. Add fennel, celery, and grapes. Cut reserved chicken into 1/2-inch pieces. Add to salad with yogurt dressing; stir to combine. Serve on pumpernickel bread, open-faced, with watercress.

DIY Rainbow Cut-Off Shorts

Miguel - Adorn

7 Days to Skinny Jeans Plan:

The Rules

• Commit. Keep your eyes on the prize (a.k.a. those darn skinny jeans) and if possible, enlist a partner in crime. It’s always easier when you have a buddy for support!
• Drink lots of water! At least 8-10 glasses a day.
• Pick one exercise to do every day (save one day for rest).
• Pick one meal from each category for each day.
• Pick one snack for each day. (I like to have a snack between lunch and dinner, but the timing is really up to you.)
• If possible, try to sneak in your exercise before breakfast. Otherwise, just make sure you squeeze it into your schedule. This is the important part!

Breakfast Options

• Greek yogurt topped with walnuts, a handful of berries (or sliced banana) and a light drizzle of agave nectar
• Oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of fruits and 2 tablespoons of almonds
• Veggie omelet with a slice of whole grain toast
• Breakfast smoothie
• Half an avocado stuffed with cottage cheese and a side of sliced tomato
• Whole wheat toast topped with 2 sliced up hardboiled eggs served with half of a grapefruit

Lunch & Dinner Options

• Whole-grain pita filled with chicken, arugula, sliced tomato a teaspoon of crumbled feta and a drizzle of olive oil; serve with a side of grapes
• Grilled Chicken with a small side salad (use a mixture of lemon, olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the dressing)
• Healthy Chicken Salad served over lettuce or on a slice of whole-grain toast

Snacks

• 1 medium apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
• 1 cup of red grapes and a low fat string cheese
• ¼ cup of almonds
• ½ cup of bran cereal (or Grape Nuts) with milk and a few berries
• Raw veggies with 3 generous tablespoons of hummus
• 1 hardboiled egg with a few whole-grain crackers
• Celery with a tablespoon of almond butter and a few raisins

Exercise Options

• 30 minutes of cardio (running, kickboxing, elliptical, swimming, step aerobics etc.)
• 1 hour of yoga or Pilates
• Intervals: run for 60 seconds, walk for 90 seconds (repeat 8 times)
• Circuit: 100 jumping jacks, 20 crunches, 20 squats, 10 push ups, 25 bench dips (you can do this using a chair), 60 second wall sit, 60 second plank (repeat two times)
• 1 hour hike with steady incline
• Quickie: 20 lunges, 50 jumping jacks (or swap out jumping jacks for jumping rope for 2 minutes)
• Semi-Quickie: 15 minute jog, 20 squats, 20 sit-ups

Sadly there’s no way to un-eat what you’ve already eaten over the holidays. But thankfully there is a solution: If you make a conscious effort to have healthier eating and exercise habits, your body will bounce back in no time! Be sure to follow this plan for seven days straight. It will be tough, you will be tempted and you will probably slipup a few times. Once you’re done, try to maintain this healthy lifestyle (but reduce your exercise regime to 3-4 times per week). I’ll be starting the plan tomorrow so we can all do this together.

Brandy - Put It Down ft. Chris Brown

Healthy snack suggestions

When it comes to snacks, most people think, “Chips! Cookies! Oh goody—pudding cups!” No. That’s what I call a “snack attack.” Snacks are not meant to be mini-meals. They are supposed to tide you over until your next meal. The silver lining? They can actually help you achieve a slimmer shape. Snacks prevent overeating come mealtime. I honestly snack all day long. It helps me stay satisfied. (Don’t you always make the worst diet decisions when you’re famished? I do.) Needless to say, instead of starving yourself between each meal, have a nutritious snack. It will help get your metabolism pumping and your body burning calories too.

Instead of those chips and pre-made snack packs, here are some healthy snack suggestions:

Grapes & Grahams: Take one graham cracker and split it into two squares. Spread each square with a light layer of cream cheese. Then sprinkle eight halved grapes over the top. It sounds strange, but it’s so delicious!

Pear/Apple & String Cheese: To curb your sugar cravings, have a piece of fruit with a side of cheesy protein (my favorite type of protein). Cheese is packed with calcium and according to good old WebMD, calcium “can help adjust your body’s fat-burning machinery.”

Greek Yogurt: Have a cup of Greek yogurt. If it’s plain, drizzle a little agave nectar over it and top it off with a few berries or slivered almonds. Greek yogurt is packed with protein, which will keep you feeling full. Plus it has a lot of calcium too!

Hummus & Veggies: The hummus is made from chickpeas, which is rich in protein and fiber. It’s low fat and filling. Perfection!

JRand - Up Against The Wall

@Dormtainment - No Internet

Came across this video and thought it was super funny lol

Life without internet these days is one hell of a punishment .

Enjoy

Write it down!

If you have a tough time sticking to a healthy diet, I suggest keeping a food diary. It may sound like a crazy nit-picky thing to do, but it really helps. Even if you do it for just one week, you realize what you are (or are not) putting into your body. Furthermore, it’s been said that people who keep a food journal tend to lose more weight than those who do not. It makes sense when you think about it. After all, those cookies and sugary Frappuccino’s don’t look so appetizing when they are staring back at you in ink…

If the pen and paper method is not for you, there are actually several great apps you can use to track your daily food intake. They are really easy to use and have a huge database of food and their calories. A few of my favorites include Calorie Tracker app, Calorie Counter, and Lose It.

Jacob Latimore - You Come First

CLEAN & CLEAR - KNOW THE FACTS

I was on Clean & Clear's website today looking over a few products I'm interested in trying out and seen this little Q&A section. Lots of us girls are superstitious and curious about what to do and what not to do to prevent acne so... here are a few of the many questions we ask about acne.. Hope this helps.

Does chocolate/sugar really give you acne or is it just a myth?
This is such a nasty rumor! There has been a lot of research that shows there is no connection between acne and
diets. You can eat pizza, chocolate, and french fries and they won’t cause acne! While these foods won’t cause
acne, it’s important that you eat a well-balanced diet to stay healthy and feel better about yourself.

Is squeezing pimples safe or unhealthy for your skin?
You should never squeeze or pick at your pimples. When a zit shows up on your face, the first thing you want to do is
pop it, but doing so can have serious consequences. When you squeeze a pimple, the infection can be pushed
even deeper into your skin. What does that mean? Basically, your pimple will get redder or even bigger and you will
increase your risk of scarring. It is better to leave your blemish untouched and let it disappear on its own than to try
to get rid of it by popping it. Which would you rather have—a pimple for a few days or an even redder and bigger
pimple that could leave behind a scar?

Can stress be a reason for acne?
You bet! Stress causes hormones to fluctuate and your body to produce extra sebum (oil), which can lead to acne.
Stress can often also trigger you to eat worse and sleep less—both of which can contribute to making your acne
worse. However, no need to stress more! You’d be surprised at how dancing around your room or laughing really
hard with your best friend can help stress melt away.
TRUE or FALSE: Acne is a result of poor personal hygiene.
FALSE. It is a common misconception that acne is caused by dirt. In reality, acne is caused by oil, bacteria, and
dead skin cells. Simply washing your skin with a basic cleanser will only remove excess oil and dead skin cells.
You should use a cleanser and/or spot treatment that contains an active ingredient such as benzoyl peroxide or
salicylic acid to treat and help prevent acne.

How do I get rid of acne scars / hyperpigmentation?
Sometimes stubborn marks caused by pimples linger long after the pimples have gone away. Fortunately, there is
the 2-in-1 Acne & Mark Eraser Kit by Clean & Clear. This kit is specially formulated with acne mark-minimizing technologies and
clinically proven acne-fighting ingredients that effectively treat acne and visibly reduce the appearance of acne.

How to wear colored denim

Virtually overnight, colored denim has become the biggest trend to hit the streets. Personally, I love the trend — it’s a great way to switch up your denim uniform, and the bright, cheerful colors are perfect for spring and summer! As with any trend, though, figuring out how to wear it (without spending a ton of money) can always be a problem.

Below, I’ve come up with four awesome ways to rock candy-colored jeans with items that are probably already in your closet. Read on, ladies!

1. Try It with a Neutral

You can never go wrong when pairing any colored (or patterned!) pair of pants with a black, white, cream, brown, or tan top. Any pair of bright jeans would look awesome with a white button-down dress shirt, a sheer black silk shirt, or a cream-colored cardigan sweater. This technique is a good way to feel out your new pants and ease into wearing them.

For the example outfit below, I paired coral skinnies with a chambray top — it’s like a regular denim-and-pastel outfit, with a twist! Because the base of the outfit is so classic looking, don’t be afraid to add a few bold accessories, like a snakeskin bag and turquoise jewelry. Finish with a pair of fun wedges and you’re good to go!

2. Colorblock

Colorblocking – which means pairing solid-colored, bright pieces together – has been such a hot trend over the past few seasons. It’s a bold style move for sure.

If you’re unsure about which color combos to try, I will put up another post of ideas soon. But really, so long as you pair your colored jeans with another solid, bold color, you’ll look trendy and fun, not clashy.

When colorblocking, I think it looks the coolest when you combine pastels with other pastels, and bolder colors with other bolds. In the example outfit below, notice that the three colors are all equally bold. Since the outfit is a loud statement on its own, finish the look with classic accessories, like pearl stud earrings and a classic investment timepiece.

3. Pair It with a Print

Another fun way to rock your colored jeans is to pair them with a bold print. Polka dots, nautical stripes, floral prints, and geometric prints would all look really trendy and playful!

For this outfit below, I thought mint green pants would look awesome paired with a leopard print blouse. The chocolate and black tones make the green look extra bright! Again, keep your accessories somewhat simple — crystal earrings and a mint colored bangle will look fancy, but not over-the-top. Finish with ballet flats and some pink lipstick for extra brightness!

4. Add a Springtime Jacket

The sun might be up and the sky might be blue, but for most of us, April and May weather can be unexpectedly chilly. A great way to wear your colored jeans during this transition time is to pair them with a light jacket. A jean jacket, light trench coat, cardigan, or blazer will look season-appropriate, and keep you protected from harsh winds or light rain.

For the outfit below, I paired light pink jeans with a white blazer. A floral shirt will look cute peeking out from under the jacket. Depending on what sort of event you’re going to, pair the look with heels or ballet flats. This snappy casual outfit is perfect for lunching with parents, a date, class, or even just running errands!

What Do You Think?

Do you have a pair of colored jeans yet? What are your favorite things to wear with them? Do you think this trend will be back next year, or is it more of a one-season sort of trend? Do you colorblock very often? What other styling challenges or problems have you run into lately? Tell me what you think!

How to Mix & Match!

Let’s face it, color and summer go together like the ocean and sand, but when it comes to mixing and matching your favorite brights, the task can sometimes seem a bit daunting. In high school my closet was made up of 90% black and grey pieces, mainly because I was terrified to stand out. Not only was I scared to wear color, I didn't know how to mix it either. It wasn't until college that I learned the basic rules of color mixing and I gained the confidence to stray from my go-to shades of grey.

This summer no hue is off limits and I think its super important that we all make mental notes of the basic color rules to prevent overdosing on a crazy color concoction. Some of my favorite things about having been a fashion major were getting to play with different textures and shades. In my aesthetics and textile classes I learned fashion rules that I still refer to everyday!

In school, I always had a color wheel tucked into my notebook to help on various projects. Nowadays, I've got the wheel completely memorized, which is extremely helpful, especially when I'm at the mall trying to quickly pull together an outfit for an upcoming event. Whether you have a go-to color combination, enjoy the classics, or you’re crushing on trendy palettes like neons or pastels, simple color rules can easily help you style and accessorize an editorial-worthy look in mere seconds. 

I came across this blog and liked it so I'm sharing it with you..

Accessory Report: Rock Candy Jewelry

by Lauren Conrad

I truly believe that accessories can make or break an outfit. That said, a true fashionista can differentiate between the accents that are worth spending a pretty penny on and those of-the-moment adornments that are okay to pass up. In today’s case—curating a little body candy is a must for summer and fall…and luckily, it’s a trend you don’t have splurge on.

Lately I’ve spotted many rhinestone pieces that come in bright, punchy colors and I love the unexpected, candy-coated look. Not only do these brightly hued jewels liven up an otherwise dull outfit, they instantly add a playful yet interesting touch, giving your look a bit more depth and freshness. To give you a glimpse of this sweet trend, I’ve pulled together some of my favorite rock candy finds in the collage below:

If you already have some clear crystal costume pieces you can update them by glossing the stones with some nail polish. This is a simple way to update your accessories and try out this trend without spending a dime.

Hello there fellow sunshiners!

I know I may be a little late but a few days ago was

National S'mores Day!

&& because of that, I decided to post this little recipe for

Sweet Tooth: S’mores Bars

It’s National S’more Day! If you are like us, this is hands down the best random national holiday. Forget National Cupcake Day and National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day…to us, there’s nothing quite like the melted goodness of gooey chocolate and fluffy marshmallows sandwiched between two crunchy graham crackers. Mmm! Is your mouth watering yet? 

To properly observe this holiday we decided to whip up some s’mores. Not just any s'mores... Seriously Amazing S'mores Bars. Just as all of our favorite baking adventures start, we poked around on Pinterest and found a few recipes that we transformed into our very own. Check out the recipe below. Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 king size milk chocolate bars 
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups marshmallow fluff

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add in egg and vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, graham cracker crumbs, salt, and baking powder.
4. Pour butter mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
5. Split dough in half and press half of it firmly into the bottom of an squaregreased, glass baking pan (we used an 8x8 inch pan) so it forms an even layer on the bottom of the pan. (Tip: Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the layer flat and even.)
6. Layer on the two king size chocolate bars.
7. Evenly spread marshmallow fluff over the top of the chocolate bars, cover the entire surface—all the way to the sides.
8. Roll out other half of dough and then place on top of the marshmallow. You’ll want it to be one single, smooth layer.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
10. Let the bars cool all the way before cutting. We know it’s nearly impossible to resist the urge of tasting them ASAP, but trust us…if you let them cool, they will be MUCH easier to cut up.

Happy (Belated) National S’more Day!

ENJOY!

TheReddivision; Mindless Behavior - Hello

Was browsing through videos on YouTube and came across this.
I thought it is was cute so I decided to post it. Enjoy!

1. Foods with omega-3 fatty acids. This includes salmon, flax seeds, and walnuts. Foods with omega-3 fatty acids have been known to give skin an almost instant glow. These foods can also help reduce inflammation, so any blemishes you do have won’t be quite so red. I love making grilled salmon for dinner. Adding flaxseed to a fresh fruit smoothie is another simple way to boost your omega-3s. 
    
2. Antioxidant filled foods. It’s no surprise that antioxidant foods are great for your health, but they also give your skin an extra dose of goodness too. Antioxidant rich foods like cherries, berries, green tea and spinach attack free radicals in your body that cause skin damage and breakouts. Eating a handful of berries or a spinach salad is a yummy way to add antioxidants into your daily food routine. 
    
3. Foods rich in selenium. Brazil nuts, almonds, onion, garlic, and whole grains are all sources of selenium, which is also a powerful antioxidant. These foods help preserve your skin’s elasticity and reduce inflammation. Just eating a handful of almonds a day is an easy way to up your selenium intake.
    
4. Foods rich in vitamin C. Melons, oranges, tomatoes, and strawberries all boost your immune system and strengthen your cell walls. These foods will help protect your skin from acne scarring and activate healing powers to amend damaged or irritated skin.
    
5. Foods rich in vitamin E. This category includes nuts, soybeans, almonds, leafy greens and eggs. Vitamin E rich foods also help protect your skin from scarring. An easy way to get your daily dose is by drizzling olive oil on a salad or using it to cook.
    
6. Foods in high water content. This means…drink water, water and more water! Keeping your body hydrated is one of the best things you can do for yourself. And this healthy habit translates to your skin too. In addition to drinking your 8 glasses a day (a daily requirement in my book!), eating foods with a high water content like watermelon and cucumbers, and also parsley will free your system of toxins as well.
    
7. Foods rich in vitamin A. Foods that give your body vitamin A are rich in beta-carotene, which enhances the benefits of selenium—that powerful antioxidant I mentioned earlier. Your skin will thank you if you include carrots, bell peppers, cantaloupes, and sweet potatoes into your daily diet.
    
8. Foods high in magnesium. These foods are awesome acne fighters because magnesium helps to balance out acne-inducing hormones. Try munching on artichokes, oatmeal, brown rice, and figs to get hormonal acne under control.
    
9. Low sodium foods. Foods that are packed with salt not only make your body bloat up like a balloon, they also wreak havoc on your skin. To avoid pimples from flaring up, try to limit the amount of processed or prepared foods in your diet. Substituting canned or frozen vegetables with fresh ones can make a huge difference. You will alsofeel so much better if you eat “clean foods” that are unprocessed and have low sodium.
    
10. White foods are the wrong foods. Foods like white bread, white rice, white refined flour, French fries, and mashed potatoes are some of the worst things to have in your diet if you want clear skin. Refined sugar is another culprit in this category because it makes your blood sugar levels spike, which then causes acne outbreaks. No thank you!Stick to whole grains and brightly colored fruits and veggies like these no-bloat foods. If anything else, just remember this: White foods are not the right foods if you want clear skin.

I don’t know about you, but this list has completely recalibrated my shopping list. I love putting these types of blogs together because I learn so much as I am researching them… I guess the bottom line here is really something that we’ve all been told since day one: “You are what you eat.” And now we’ve got a list t prove it! So stick to this list of skin-pretty foods and I promise you will feel beautiful inside and out.

Which acne fighting food is your favorite? Personally, I’m partial to spinach, eggs and berries.

Marques Houston - Circle

This song is kinda old now but Ive always wanted to learn how to play this song on the piano...
I'll get to it eventually. I really like the instrumental to this song soo Im posting it, just because <3

For those of you who are planning a summer barbeque or simply a night in with friends, this is a must-serve cocktail. But, if alcohol isn’t for you, just swap out the liquor for sparkling water or Sprite. It’s just as delicious!

Pink Grapefruit Margaritas
Barefoot Contessa: How Easy Is That?

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup ruby red grapefruit juice
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 cup triple sec orange liqueur
• 3 cups ice
• 1 cup silver tequila
• 1 lime cut into wedges 
• Kosher salt

The OMG Girlz - Where The Boys At?

From London C..

When I have the time, I like to whip up a nice breakfast for myself. Usually, I make an egg white omelet with vegetables.  This makes for a great breakfast because the egg whites are full of protein and the veggies have lots of nutrients and fiber. 

Below is the basic recipe I follow. Needles to say, I do mix it up based on what vegetables are in season and, more importantly, what’s available in my refrigerator. Sometimes I’ll have the omelet with a side of toast and berries depending on how much time I have…

Note: This recipe makes one omelet.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup egg whites (sometimes I add in a full egg, with the yolk)
• 1 handful of baby spinach
• ¼ teaspoon (about a pinch) onion powder
• ¼ cup halved cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup shredded low fat (or skim) grated mozzarella cheese 
• Note: A few vegetables I like to sub in are steamed asparagus, sautéed mushrooms, or steamed broccoli.

Instructions

1. In a bowl, beat together the egg whites, spinach and onion powder.
2. In a small skillet coated with olive oil cooking spray over medium heat, pour in the egg mixture and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. 
3. Flip with spatula and cook another 2 minutes. (At this point it will look like a big egg pancake. Yum!)
4. Reduce heat to low and sprinkle on cheese and cherry tomatoes and then fold omelet in half (one side over the other). Cook for another minute or so to allow cheese to melt and then serve. 
5. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

This omelet is really simple, quick, and very easy to make! Plus, it’s a great way to kick start your day. The best part? You’ll notice that the egg + veggie combo will keep you feeling full longer.