#REVOLVEphotoaday Challenge

 

I recently competed in the Revolve Clothing photo-a-day contest and although I did not win, I had so much fun participating. Here are a few of my favorite A-Z posts.

B is for B L I N G

 

C is for C A R R I E D A W A Y

 

E is for E Y E W E A R

 

F is for F L OW E R S

 

G is for G I R L F R I E N D S

 

I is for I N Y O U R B A G

 

J is for J E A N S

 

P is for P R I N T S

 

V is for V I E W

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Let The Hunger Games begin!

Yay Friday! It's been a long, semi-stressful week. The highlight of this week has been starting a raw food cleanse yesterday. I've been eating like crazy since before the holidays and not being as dedicated to working out as I used to be. So in order to jump start my summer preparation I decided to do a raw food cleanse for 5-7 days (we'll see how long I can survive) and then continue eating healthy. I'm on day two and I can honestly say I feel SO much better. I lost two pounds the first day and my body feels like all of the toxins have been flushed out. I also worked out at 5:30am yesterday and today. My workout plan is 30-45 minutes of cardio on the elliptical. I do intervals of resistance, starting with 5 minutes on 7, then alternate 1 minute on 12 with 2 minutes on 7 for the remainder. I've definitely seen that interval training is much more effective than keeping one steady resistance level. I follow that with 8 abdominal exercises (bicycles, front plank, side planks, double crunches, twists, leg raises, crunches with feet up, mountain climbers), 3-4 sets of 15-20. Here's my meal outline:

 

Day One

 

Pre-Workout:

 

Green Smoothie

1/4 cup frozen pineapple chunks

1/4 cup frozen strawberries

1/2 cup spinach

1 cup almond milk

2 tsp stevia

 

Breakfast:

 

Yogurt Parfait

1 cup plain nonfat yogurt

5 strawberries, sliced

1 whole banana, sliced

2 tbsp almond butter

1/4 cup vanilla almond granola

 

Mid-morning snack: Almonds & a cup of hot green tea

 

Lunch:

 

Spinach & Kale Salad

Spinach

Kale

8 Grape tomatoes

1 whole avocado

1/4 up dried cranberries [some say not to eat dried fruits on a raw food diet, but I am]

2 tbsp spicy Thai peanut dressing

 

Afternoon snack: Spicy hummus & small red/yellow/orange peppers & cauliflower

 

Dinner:

 

Green Smoothie

1/4 cup frozen mango chunks

1/4 cup frozen strawberries

1/2 cup spinach

1 cup almond milk

2 tsp stevia

So far on day two, I've had a green smoothie pre-workout & another parfait for breakfast. I'm drinking one bottle of water every hour to try & keep the hunger at bay.  My goal is to feel refreshed, have glowing skin, a toxin-free body, and lose 5 lbs by the end of the cleanse. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Wish me luck!

Home Sweet Carolina

As much as I'm enjoying the 75 and sunny weather here in Southern California, I have to say that a small part of me is sad to miss the snow storm that's transforming the East Coast into a winter wonderland currently. Prior to spending my Christmas and New Year's in LA, I was able to go home for Thanksgiving and enjoy time with my family and old friends. I also got to take a day trip to the snow covered North Carolina mountains, which happened to be just enough time to satisfy my winter craving. The first time I went home after living in California I nearly froze to death, so for this trip I was prepared and stepped off the plane wearing my new flannel, fur vest, and multiple pairs of socks (excessive but necessary!). I was so happy to host Thanksgiving breakfast (and mimosas <3) for all of my best friends from high school and spend the rest of the day with my wonderful family. I'm very blessed to have amazing people in my life and such a beautiful state to call home.



"When you love what you have, you have everything you need."

"Good friends care for each other, close friends understand each other, but true friends stay forever. Beyond words, beyond distance, beyond time."

(champagne over rainbow sorbet...delicious!)

Top: Forever 21

Pants: Forever 21

Shoes: Target

Vest: Rachel Zoe

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Goodbye 2013

As we say goodbye to 2013 and hello to 2014, it's amazing to think about how far I've come in the past year. If someone had told me this would be my life last December 31st, I would have never believed them. 2013 taught me that fate really does love the fearless and that dreams do come true. In May, I found out the GUESS store I worked in was closing with only a 3 week notice, was flown out to Los Angeles to interview the day it closed, and then packed all my stuff and road-tripped across the country in 2 weeks. The second I stepped foot in this city, I knew it was home. The weather, the palm trees, the beaches, the canyons, how could anyone not fall in love with this place?

Here's to another year of daring adventures and endless possibilities. Cheers!



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