The Skin You're In..

You're skin....it can make or break your entire look. Whether you are sunburnt, too pasty pale, too tan, to broke out, or flawless- it reflects your personal care of your body. What you eat, how you work out, and personal hygiene all play key factors in the condition of your skin.


LETS BE HONEST- I am addicted to picking my face. If I see a blemish, I HAVE to get it. I've been like this since I was a little girl. Even if it is the tiniest little blackhead in the smallest pore- I obsess over getting it out. For what? So I can make my face red and swollen, only to irritate it and turn a microscope blemish into a raging zit? Yea- pretty much thats how it happens. Bottom line- leave your face alone and leave it to the professionals. I've learned the hard way. I have these semi-pitted scares on my face from years of picking. Fortunately, I have had some pretty deep facials that helped to reduce the discoloring. Eventually I would like to do a laser peel to help resurface my overall complexion, however I will cross that bridge when I get there.

How can we fix these problems???!!!

#1 Hydration (in my opinion) is the most important factor. If I am drinking a lot of water- my skin is overall in better condition, and breakouts are few and far between. If I am using a moisturizer, my skin usually has a softer feel. I know you are probably thinking, "seriously, this is the best she's got? water?"
Honestly, Yes!! I really feel that drinking water is the most obvious choice, yet people would rather spend hundreds of dollars on acne medicine before they force themselves to drink 6 bottles of water a day.

When I first moved to California in 2007, I had this close friend, (lets call her....Tasha). Tasha had a horrible problem with acne. Huge, red inflamed monstrous blemishes covering her chin and cheeks. She tried proactive, dermatologist visits, sun, even accutane. Tasha did workout a lot, and fitness was important to her (which helps). However her diet was horrible! She would drink pop everyday, several times. Tasha usually had a bag of chips on the side of her meal (instead of veggies), and she was an avid weekend drinker. Her lifestyle is quite normal to the average 19yr old (eat what you want, as long as you work out). However, the amount of processed foods, and sugar going into her body (with little water intake) was definitely showing up on her skin. My parents never really spent money on sugary juices, pop, or other beverages. We had either water or milk, and OJ in the morning growing up. So I guess I was just programmed to "drink water drink water drink water". Anyways (sorry I get off topic), While venting about her skin, I told Tasha to stop drinking so much pop and she's needs more water (it was actually a joke, because i said it so often). She would not make it a priority. So she kept the ongoing battle of dermatologist visits and harsh medicines to try and fix her skin. Now I know, not all acne can be fixed with water- it is a real problem. But, how many times do you take your diet into perspective when trying to fix your skin?

#2  Exfoliate!!!! Probably one of my favorite things to do in the shower. (Hey, I'm married- I didn't say it was my MOST favorite thing to do in the shower :) . I love using a great salt scrub on my skin. There are some great Epsom soaks that not only exfoliate, but also detox! I recommend Dr. Teals Epsom Soak.
The soft, silky sheen it leaves just screams clean! As for my face? I use MaryKay Microdermabrasion set once a week. For me, this has helped scaring and breakouts a ton!!! I love most MaryKay skincare line. I grew up using MaryKay (my mom sold it) so maybe I am biased towards their products. However, after High School- I did try over the counter products from drug stores and nothing seemed to work quite as well. So I started selling MaryKay on the side as well (it was really the only way I could afford it! ) .

I LOVE Bath and Body works Mango Scrub. No its not the most amazing product- but it works really great and super affordable. You have to exfoliate routinely. Like weekly, or every two days. Also wash your face every night and morning. I know it is so common for girls to pull a late night and fall asleep half sober with thick makeup caked on from a night out. Again- lets be honest, that makeup goes into your creases and doesn't sit to well in post 25yr wrinkles. 

Anyways- this is just my take on glowing skin and keeping the pimples away ;) Please let comments for your favorite products!!!

Ok, enough rambling for a week!

H20 H20 H20 H20 H20 H20 H20 H20 H20 H20 H20 H20 Spotlight Ready!!!



Much Love!!


Kaela :)

Overcoming the Skinny-Fat

Yes.... I said it out loud. Skinny-fat. I know you are probably thinking either- what the heck? Or, she's tiny, how can I possibly understand what its like to be fat. Truth is, size does not matter when you are trying to be healthy. Weight is just a number, and that number is different for every person. Someones 120lb mark is a triumph, and for others that's a failure. Bottom line- we come in all different shapes and sizes, so never get caught up on a number.

We all know those people who can eat whatever they want, and you think they never gain an ounce. Although their metabolism is burning that calorie, I can guarantee their BMI isn't a praise worthy number. How you treat the inside of your body matters. We have all seen the Tara Reid pictures. Diet/Starve yourself, and you will get skinny, but if you don't workout and get the proper nutrition- you will still be fat. I struggle with this.... My metabolism is sky high. I eat chocolate everyday. If I could, I would skip dinner and just eat dessert. However, I cannot go through life with that diet plan, and my body lets me know it. I have tried all the stupid diets, struggled with eating problems, and even spent hours among hours perfecting my workout at the gym. If it is not balanced- you will not see the results.

What works for me? 1. Cut out the table sugar! White sugar is the devil when fighting a healthy battle. If I do crave sugar, I try and go with some type of berry or natural sugars. Plan your daily meals a head of time to prevent last minute splurging! 2. MOVE! Everyday! Do not skip cardio. Even if it is a 10 minute walk in the morning. Or workout while you watch TV. This is one of my best workout times. I can sit and do 200 crunches, 3 sets of 1 minute planks, and 3 sets of 30 sec leg lifts in a 30 minute sitcom. No its not a full work out- but I am reminding my muscles where they belong ;) Never stop reminding your muscles they need to be tight! A lot of my body structure has been framed from my competitive cheerleading and gymnastic days. However, in order to keep my muscles in place- I have to use them. There has been weeks, when I notice I have not been doing cardio. No, I didn't gain a pound, but my jeans were a little snug. The muscles shrink and fats dangles in its place. And as you can see for yourself (in the pic above) replacing a toned body with skinny-fat is not attractive. My body is not exactly where it needs to be right now, (it's that damn chocolate...and wine), but hey its a daily battle that we all fight together.

This week- keep moving, and plan your meals.  Those are not life altering changes in your schedule, but they are life altering results. It is a small start to being Ready for your Spotlight ;)

My goals this week:
     -  Increase cardio
     -  Limit Wine Before Bed :(
     -  Eat correct portions (Americans portions are 2/3 larger than what our bodies actually need!!!)
 
     -  ........do my laundry?! (not really a health factor, but     hey it needs to be listed)








xoxoxo,

Kaela

Here it is! TOP 10 Beauty MUST HAVES!  Everything you can expect to read about in this blog ;)


1. BE HEALTHY!! Nothing Screams healthy like a fit and toned body. Regardless of your size, get to your healthy weight. There is no magic pill that will get you there. You can wear all the make-up and designer clothes you want, but it will never make up for your personal health. Take control today! Eat healthy and stay active! (Obviously I my legs are no wear near Carrie Underwood's- but hey I do my best to keep MY body in the best shape I can...that's all anybody can do! )




2. Glowing Skin! I am personally bias towards tanning (spray tanning- not Beds/Sun) . Even if it is a little glow- I think your skin should always have some hue to it. Make sure you exfoliate/shave/wax/ and MOISTURIZE!!! A lot of women do not keep up with the daily regimen of exfoliating and moisturizing. However if you stick with it for 1 week- I promise you will see the difference!!!! (I love Hayden's skin!!)

3. Pearly White Smile! Yes- your teeth do need to sparkle. A yellow smile, is personally one of the most unattractive physical traits someone can have. You must brush/rinse if you are going to stain. I know this personally speaks to you lady's- we are all wine and coffee lovers ;) I Probably struggle with this one the most as well. I go to bed after drinking a glass or two of my favorite Cab- and I wake up with  grayish tinted teeth, only to further stain with my morning up of Joe! White Strips! If they are not in your budget- brush with Peroxide and Baking Soda!!! On the other hand- make sure your smile is GENUINE :) The happiest people are generally more attractive all-around.

4. Be tasteful with your Make-up! Whether you are going the trendy route or keeping it classic, don't ever over-kill on the face paint. If you are going for a natural look- cover up your blemishes. If you are going for the smokey eyes- make sure you blend out those raccoons! Don't forget the lashes! I am personally a fan of semi-permanent lash extensions, however they are a little pricey!

5. Shoes Please! Yes it is true- the right shoes complete every outfit- so no matter the occasion, let your shoes set the mood! Killer heels (or boots in my opinion) can make or break the perfect look!







6.  The Outfit.  Ladies in today's world, there are so many blogs, fashion magazines, and self-help fashion books....there is really no reason to get this wrong. Not a fashionista? Do your homework and keep it simple!

A personal favorite blog:
http://www.pinkfrock.blogspot.com/




7. Hair-do. Its pretty basic. There are thousands of hairstyles of every occasion. Keep it Tamed and Carry on ;) There are rules of hair that I will get into later...

8. LIP GLOSS!!! Lip gloss is extremely glamorous IMP, you put lip gloss on with t-shirts and a pair of jeans, and I believe you can conquer the world. Just ask my 1 year old niece Miss Kora ;)

9. Be Sexy. Yes I said it. Find your inner Sex Goddess and work it. I am a firm believer in keeping it classy. So please- don't cause those boys to stumble. But you CAN show a little without showing too much. Leave room for the imagination ;)
















10. Stay Happy. Never lose yourself in the midst of love, work, hardships, finances, and family. If you follow your heart and stay connected with the Best version of YOU, that is most beautiful thing you can do for yourself. Never lose hope, never forget love, and always believe in yourself.



Much Love!! xoxoxo

Kaela :)

Ok so here it is... a Blog for the ladies. Not just any ladies- but to my  wanting to make a statement in any aspect of their lives. Whether you are a stay at home mom, behind a desk from 9-5, or taking the Red Carpet every Sunday night- I want to speak YOUR language. Lets face it- not everyone wakes up looking glamorous. It takes WORK! There are many secrets behind every Night Out on the Town, and I plan to open the can of worms and share them. Yes I know, there are HUNDREDS of blogs extremely similar to this one. Although, I hope to take a personal spin on this that provides a fresh and humble perspective. So here it goes, lets get ready for SPOTLIGHT together. It doesn't matter what your Spotlight is. It could be a date with your Lover, dinner with your girls, or a Movie Premier Event- we all want to look our best and be Spotlight Ready ....according to Kaela ;)