Currently Dreaming Of... Spring '16

 
 
Each season I love going through my closet and thinking about what I'm missing or how I can use what I already own to create a fresh look. Take a glance at my image above, and you can already see a pattern of what I'm loving lately.

Crisp whites, crochet tops, cut-off shorts and espadrille's are just a few of the things I can't get enough of.

Shoes seem to be what I've been obsessing about for Spring lately. For the most part, they never fail you and your size always fits no matter how much ice cream you had last night.

 Spring is a critical time for footwear. You need versatile pairs that can keep you covered enough for the breezy days but cool enough for the days when you start thinking that global warming is a real thing. 

1. Toms Majorca Bootie, Taupe $97.95: This is the perfect transition shoe. The majority of your foot is still covered except for the cute little peep toe to shoe off your new pedi. The suede fabric adds texture and the perforation allows for breath-ability. Even though they have a significant heel, they are still super comfy and walk-able. 

2. Steve Madden Carrson Sandal, Blue Suede $89.95: Ankle strap, chunky heel & the prettiest pastel blue....what more could you want in a sandal for the spring/summer. I love the idea of using your shoes to add a fun pop of color to your outfit and anyone who knows me, knows 95% of my shoes are Steve Madden (who I have been in the same room with BTW).

3. SARTO by Franco Sarto Ravenna Espadrille Sandal, Red $118.95: I don't currently own these, but I have been drooling over them since I first spotted them at Nordstrom and made my boyfriend sit there while I tried them on and whimpered about how I needed them. The red really makes this shoe pop. I would totally rock these with white jeans and a white burn out t-shirt to walk around Newport for the day.

4. Steve Madden Lavii Sandal, Natural $99.95: I currently own the older version of these 'Safyre' but this update is fabulous. They're so on trend right now and super comfortable. 

5. *Splurge* Stuart Weitzman Soho Girl, Topo Suede $425.00: Gorgeous! I don't even think these really need words. 

What else is on my mind, you wonder? 

6. Old Navy Mid Rise Distressed Rockstar Jeans, White $34.95: I love Old Navy. You can get some great basics for such a steal. I usually replace my white jeans each season, because I like them to stay very white. The fit of these is amazing, they're not too tight and the rips are minimal compared to other stores. 

7. *Splurge* Free People Sheer Batiste Dress, Black $168.00: Beware tall ladies, this dress/tunic is super short but perfect for a hot day or a trip to the beach. I don't necessarily think this dress is worth the hefty price, but I've been loving the embroidered look lately, and this is the best way I've seen it done so far (in my opinion). I love the bright colors against the black.

8. Levis 501 Denim Cuttoffs, $58.00: I'm desperately trying to tone up for summer so I can wear a pair of these. I've always loved the look but have never had enough confidence to rock them. (Check out my post on Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 review).
 
9. Forever 21 Sheer Floral Crochet Top, White $24.90: This top is so cute, the back a lace up feature that really makes this piece trendy. I would love it with a white cami underneath and cutoffs, or thrown on over your swimsuit.
 
10. Lush Halter Romper, Black $46.00: Wear this during the day with sandals or at night with some strappy heels. Its super versatile and a blank slate for you to create whatever kind of look you like.
 
So there you have it! Those are some of the things I'm loving and some I'm wanting. Let me know what else my closet is missing....I'm always down to shop.
 
 

Jillian Michaels, Ripped in 30 // Week 1 & 2


 
* Sorry for the extremely long post. I wanted to outline the workouts in week 1 & week 2 so you know what you're signing up for ;).
Ripped in 30 - Week 1

Warm Up
The warm up consisted of: swinging arms, military marches, bend over i-squats, halo dips, half squats w/ a knee grab and more swinging arms.
Circuit 1
1. Push-ups : Not gonna lie- can't do these. Had to do the modified version.2. Squat W/ shoulder press 3. Lunges with bicep curlRepeat strength 1 more time.
Cardio
1. fast feet - 30 seconds2. skaters - 30 secondsRepeat cardio circuit again.
Abs
1. plank 2. hollow man - holy friggin' ow.
Circuit 2 *my favorite circuit. It allowed for the most rest (in my opinion).
1. stiff-leg deadlift w/ upright row 2. squat swing 3. good mornings
Repeat!

Cardio
1. running man - 30 seconds2. squat punch - 30 seconds
REPEAT!
Abs
1. side plank crunch - right side 2. side plank crunch - left side
Circuit 3
1. chair pose w/ reverse fly 2. side lunge w/ front raise - SUPER hard. I was really hard for me to do both these moves at the same time.3. front lunge w/ bicep curl
REPEAT!
Cardio
1. butt kicks - 30 seconds
2
. single leg hop - 30 seconds
REPEAT!
Abs
1. crunches 2. reverse crunch w/ crunch
Stretches - You made it through!
__________________

Ripped in 30- Week 2

Warm Up
The warm-up for week 2 was a little more difficult than week 1. It consisted of backward arm circles, toe taps (kick & drop), alternating hugs, shoulder to knee stretch, alternating squats with rotation, and more toe taps.
Circuit 1
1. static lunge (right) w/ row 2. pendulum lunge w/ serving biceps 3. chest press w/ pelvic thrust
..you know the drill - REPEAT!
Cardio - Ok seriously Jillian? This cardio was so hard, even on my last day of week 2, I could barely push through.
1. plank jacks 2. mountain climbers
REPEAT!
Abs
1. arm to leg crunch (right arm to left leg) 2. arm to leg crunch (left arm to right leg)
Circuit 2
1. side lunge w/ leg raise (abduction) - I could not do the abduction. I don't know how the hell these ladies are getting their legs up in the air.2. transition ab hold into table top (left) 3. crow push ups REPEAT!
Cardio
1. jump rope kick outs 2. squat thrusts - Ow, more cardio in the plank position *eyeroll
REPEAT!
Abs
1. ab roll (v ups)
2. leg raise & crawl up (alternate legs)
Circuit 3
1. sumo squat w/ tricep extension 2. stork stance w/ low row 3. renegade row
REPEAT!
Cardio
1. jab cross high low 2. high knees
REPEAT!
Abs
1. sit up w/ leg extension
2
. crunch w/ leg raise
Stretch
______________
I feel accomplished after weeks 1 &2. I feel like I can start to see slight results in the way I look and the way my clothes fit. More importantly, I can feel myself getting stronger. Moves that were once impossible for my to do on days 1 or 2 of the weeks, feel easier. If anything I am more motivated now, than when I started. Bring on week 3!
What is your favorite workout dvd program? Do you prefer the gym? Let me know your thoughts!
 

Spring Beauty Must Haves!


I recently took a trip to Ulta and spent my life savings on some updates to my face wardrobe. As I was re-organizing my beauty drawers I thought it would be beneficial to talk about some of the things I'm loving- my "must haves".

Urban Decay: Naked Skin One & Done, Hybrid Complexion Perfector // Holy Guacamole this stuff is amazing. I am super fortunate to have really great skin and not need a lot of coverage. With that being said, this moisturizes and evens out my skin tone perfectly. This will be my holy grail for summer and traveling when I don't want to bring along (or wear!) a ton of product on my face. $34 You can apply this stuff with your fingers or use their Good Karma (it seriously is) optical blurring foundation brush $26. It is worth every penny.

Physicians Formula: Butter Bronzer // Okay... this smells like I am in Hawaii sipping a pina colada on the beach and I friggin' love it. Don't get your hopes up if you're looking for a very dramatic bronze look. The two shades are very light! It comes in two shades Bronze and Light Bronze. I got the shade Bronze and it is a very subtle glow. Its great for days you don't feel like contouring but still want your skin to look alive. I'm a fan. $14.99 $8.99 ON SALE! HERE

Urban Decay: Afterglow Hilighter, Sin // UD for the win! I'm loving their products lately. Especially their 8 hour afterglow blushes and hilighters. This hilight is a gorgeous shimmery champagne shade that lasts all day on my skin. This was 1 of the 3 shades. The other shades Fireball (peach) and Aura (pink) had too much color for my liking and starts to cross over into blush in my opinion. $26

L'Oreal: Brow Stylist Definer // Sometimes I have to pinch myself after use to make sure I wasn't dreaming. "This stuff is the real deal," I say as I throw my $20 Anastasia brown pencil in the trash. It is so similar to the Anastasia retractable pencil. Brows. On. Fleek. $8.99


L'Oreal: Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, Black // I love drugstore mascaras. I think they perform just as well, if not better, than the higher end brands. This one makes me feel like I have false lashes on. It gives both volume and length. $8.99

Real Techniques: Blush Brush // This brush applies my blush and bronzers perfectly. It is SO soft and doesn't shed at all. I swear, every high end brush I have ever purchased leaves my face looking like I'm trying to grow my first beard. Not cute. $8.99

Nivea: In Shower Smoothing Lotion, Shea Butter // Putting on lotion after a shower is such a chore to me. I hate doing it so much that sometimes I straight up skip it and leave myself looking like a gator. This product has eliminated this problem for me. Its my last step in the shower and leaves my skin so hydrated and silky smooth. Apply it all over your body and leave it on for 2-3 minutes. Rinse off, and you're good to go. $7.99



What are some of your must haves for Spring 2016??

XO,
mackenzie

























Travel Diaries // Arizona

I have been super fortunate to have been taken on many family vacations my entire life. My parents made so many amazing experiences possible for us that a lot of other children were never able to have.

Fast forward 10 years later, and my parents are still making dreams come true. With everyone growing up (getting married, living in another state, working 9-5 jobs) its hard to get all of us in the same place at the same time.

How do you solve this problem you ask? Take another family vacation! It my parents Christmas present to myself & my brother + our significant others to take a trip to the sunshine state of Arizona for Spring break.

The hot desert sun, landscape and culture truly made me feel like I was on another planet. It was amazing and is definitely a destination I would suggest everyone travels to at least once.