Fall Fashion Finds

Source: http://www.ardenb.com/assets/ab/product_images/4124228540_lg.jpg

Fall is here and boots are the hottest new trend around. This year – the slouchy boot is in!

Ranging from tall to short, heels to flats, these boots come in all sizes, colors, and shapes. Don’t be afraid to try out the new style and hit up the town.

I found some great boot deals on Glamour Shopping:

http://shopping.glamour.com/browse/boots?fl=p7&fl=p8&fl=p9&fts=boots#

These on the left were my favorite and would look great with skinny jeans and a casual top.

Macy’s is another great retail outlet for deals on boots (especially with Macy’s Rewards card!):

http://www1.macys.com/campaign/social?campaign_id=75&channel_id=1

-They have a shoe/boot finder to help you narrow down on exactly what style, color, size you need or want; it makes the browsing just that much bit easier.

What are you favorite fall finds this season?

Trick to Tummy Trim

It is the oldest and most common question in the book, “What are the best exercises to trim the tummy into a sexy set of abs?”

The stomach is one of the most difficult areas to lose the fat that builds up on top of the inner muscles. In order to trim the fat off, cardio exercises are the way to go. By building your stamina and performing cardiovascular exercises, you not only help your heart beat stronger but you lose body fat and trim the tummy fat.

One of the best exercises (and the one I must push myself to do) is running. It is the healthiest and most productive form of weight loss you can ever encounter.

An important factor to keep in mind is that in order to lose a pound you must burn at least 3600 calories. This means you will need to combine running with a healthy diet; try choosing smaller portions of high-fat high-calorie foods and consume more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Below you will find some motivational and health tips to a running routine.

Running:

• Set a goal for yourself, weekly or daily (how many miles you want to run in a specific day or week, the amount of weight you would like to lose, or my personal one- I will run for at least an hour 3-4 times this week)
• Make sure to maintain a healthy diet with a balance serving of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• Do stretching exercises beforehand to prevent injuries (calisthenic stretches, lunges, hurtles, etc)
• Drink eight glasses of water a day
• Keep a health journal (diet, exercises, etc.)
• Put on your workout gear, iPod, and running shoes to an energizing song that will pump you up  (I jam out to “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga)

What are some tips you can offer to maintain a steady running schedule? (I’m always in need of extra motivation!)

Bye Bye Hyundai … Hello Toyota!

My heart was beating so fast I could have sworn it was going to come out of my chest. Nerves racing, palms sweaty, and a panic running throughout my body, I felt hopeless and scared. Cars were honking behind me, but I could not move – my legs were numb and my body was still; i just sat there, motionless . My car had altogether stopped and just wouldn’t budge. My first experience, second, third, fourth …

The problems I suffered with my ’07 Hyundai were no joke. My parents had bought me this brand new car in November 2006, a new black sleek and shiny Hyundai. I loved it in the beginning, but then as the problems I arose, I was afraid each and every day to drive it, or more or less brake.

The first day it happened I was on my way back to my sorority house from a long day of classes at the State University of Buffalo. I came to a stop sign and braked, but for longer than normal. As I braked, I felt my car shake and turn off. I freaked, not knowing what my next steps were. Calling my mother in a panic, she comforted me and directed me to call AAA. They came to my rescue, but the best part was that when they came my car was working fine. Just my luck! This unfortunately happened to me way too many times. After a number of instances it became common to me and I knew the tricks around it. I learned to just shut off my car, leave it off for a couple minutes, then turn it back on and keep going. The car was brought to the Hyundai dealership about 5 times and they found nothing wrong with it, but there was evidently something VERY wrong. As I was just about to claim it a lemon, the 6th time I brought it in they found the problem- my transmission! New transmission and I thought I was good.

Two years later, 2009, I again feel something fishy going on with my car. This time driving home to SI from Philadelphia, I felt my car jerking. Again, my heart was racing and hands shaking. I pulled over, turned off my car, and tried to cool myself down as well as my car. I arrived home safely, but my nerves were shot; I was so sick and tired of this feeling. Bringing my car into the dealership, they found it to be my transmission- AGAIN.

Toyota is running some great deals right now with 2.9% financing. My parents’ lease was up so they exchanged their leased car with a newer 2010 Toyota Rav4. Wanting to keep me safe and out of danger’s way, they considered a trade-in with Toyota. The salesman offered a pretty good deal for my Hyundai as a trade-in offer, so my parents and I jumped for this deal.

2010 Toyota Corolla and I love it; the drive is smooth, car sleek and shiny. It all happened so fast and so suddenly, I still can’t belive it’s true!

Hopefully my car horror story can now go down the drain and be a memory of the past.  It’s time for a pleasant change with no panic, no worries, and only smooth sailing from now on in my Toyota!

Over it !

Source: http://blog.itechtalk.com/2009/make-a-sore-throat-tea/

Last week, I felt it coming on. The headache, the sniffles, the itchy throat, the chills over my body. All I could think was “Oh, no! NOT NOW!”, figures I would get sick before a fun-filled Halloween weekend! That’s just my luck.

I quickly ran to CVS and stocked up on my Echinacea, Vitamin C, Wellness Formula, Traditional Medicinal Teas, and some throat drops- a nature addict (if you can’t tell already). Doing my best to get better before the weekend creeped up because I didn’t want to miss a fun night of being a Secret Service Agent! Girls love to dress up, especially on Halloween- it is one night you can be whatever and whoever and no one can say a word about it.

What I found to be the best soother of my ailments was the Traditional Medicinal Tea made specially for sore throats (lemon flavored) added with a slice of lemon and honey- hot, refreshing, and soothing. And before I knew it, I was getting better right as Saturday night approached!

Gear on, puckered up, and body all better, it was finally time to enjoy the weekend!

What are some natural ways you fight off a cold?