My Love Story

Real love stories never have endings. 

I wholeheartedly believe every word of that statement. I count my blessings everyday that I found the person that I will spend the rest of my life with. 

When did I realize this? Truthfully, I knew within the first few months of dating. I was only sixteen - but there has always been this strong attraction between us. Even now (after 8 years), there has never been a moment where we have lost that "spark".

If there are a few helpful "suggestions" I can give any person with a significant other, it would be these:

• When you have a significant other, you need to make sure you have your own identity. It's important to always stay true to who you are & what you want out of life. As much as Tyler and I love each other and try to spend as much time together - we make sure we have time for our own hobbies. We each have goals in life - and we are each others biggest cheerleader.
• Treat each other with respect. There has never been a time where Tyler and I have exchanged hurtful and heartless words to each other. And he definitely has NEVER laid a hand on me (same goes for me). 
• Don't get stuck in a routine. When you slip into a routine - your relationship can easily get boring. Spice things up. Plan a picnic at a beach - surprise your lover with a card on their car seat (that they find when they go to work). It's important to make your significant other feel loved.
• Communicate. This is HUGE. If your significant other is doing something you don't approve of - talk to them! If there is anything that you feel uncomfortable about - talk to them! It's so important to openly communicate. Tyler and I always talk through everything. 

I'm not saying I consider myself an expert in the relationship department - I just know what works for us. ;)

Tyler & I :)

"As we grow older together, As we continue to change with age, There is one thing that will never change. . . I will always keep falling in love with you." I love you, Tyler!

...xox...

Liz

Stubborn Abs

Your lower abs can be the hardest and most stubborn part of your body to get in shape. When it comes to your abs, it really does matter what exercises you do along with what you're eating!

Personally, I think the lower ab exercises are the hardest - but they are the most rewarding, as well!

Here are a few lower ab exercises that I frequently do in my weekly work-out routine: 

1. Lower & Lift

• This exercise I learned from years of Pilates. It's super simple - but will have your abs sore the next day.
•  First, lie on your back. Keep your back long and imagine that you are sucking your belly button to the floor.
• Lift both legs straight to the ceiling. Flex your feet. Then, lower your legs as one unit until you are several inches above the ground (if your lower back lifts up, then you have gone too far down). 
• Finally, lift your legs back up to the starting position.
• Reps: 12, Sets: 3 

2. Cross-Legged Lift

•  First, lie on your back. Keep your arms at your sides.
• Bend right knee, crossing right foot over left thigh. Keeping left leg straight, use your abs to lift hips off the ground.
• Lower hips, then take legs down to 45 degrees. 
• Switch, crossing the left leg over the right thigh.
• Reps: 12 (each leg), Sets: 3 (each leg) 

Picture from Shape.com

3. Reverse Crunch

•  First, lie on your back. Keep your arms at your sides.
  
• Bring the knees in towards the chest until they're bent to 90 degrees. Keep your feet together.
• Contract the abs to curl the hips off the floor, reaching the legs up towards the ceiling.  
• This is a very small movement - so make sure your lower abs are doing ALL the work!
• Extra: Rumor has it this is how Jessica Simpson got her sexy abs back when she was filming Dukes of Hazzard.
  
• Reps: 15-20, Sets: 3

Try this lower ab work-out the next time you make it to the gym! Also, these exercises are simple enough to where you can do them right at home!

Be a Fitness Queen!

...xox...

Liz

Presenting... YOU!

Have you ever realized how much we judge something based on its "presentation"? For example...

We judge the presentation on our plate before we eat it:

Delicious Sushi

 We judge the way someone's house looks on the inside and on the outside:

Beautiful Home

 And, we judge each other:

ME!

So, what I am trying to say? Presentation is important.

Your not going to eat the food on your plate if it doesn't look yummy. You may think someone lacks taste or has a dysfunctional life, if their home is messy or unkempt. Finally, people may judge your confidence, success & status by how you present yourself to the world.

Whether or not you are successful (yet) - if you dress like you are beautiful, successful, & confident - then it will come. If you believe it - you can become it.

Make sure your hair is done - make your nails look pretty - dress professional at work - wear less "comfy" clothes in public (even if it's just for errands).

How you present yourself is a reflection of your character.

There you have it... your first Liz-ism!

...xox...

Liz

Runners' Glass Slippers

As a runner, there is nothing I love more than my running shoes. The type of shoes that you have and their condition can really make a difference on your run.


What type of running shoes do I use? Asics. They are the absolute best! I've tried other brands before - and I've decided they don't even compare.


Shoes I don't recommend? I'm not a fan of Nike. My very first pair of running shoes (when I was 16) were a pair of Nikes - and let me tell you... I had shin splints like no other.


So, if you are an avid runner - how many times a year should you trade in your old ones? The recommended amount (if you run 3x or more a week) is every 3 months.


I just bought a new pair yesterday (I was WAY overdue):

My new shoes!

Ok... so they aren't pink. It's okay to branch out every so often. ;)


So - where did I find these? Nordstrom Rack! There is no need to pay full price for these shoes. I have seen Asics at: Nordstrom Rack, DWS, Loehmann's & other "discounted" stores. These running shoes can get pricey (the ones I bought were $135 retail... and I got them for 65% off).

What are your favorite running shoes?

...xox...

Liz

Eating Healthy 101

I've always been asked questions about what I eat and how I prepare my meals for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Well - it all starts with what you buy at the grocery store.

I've always been told to shop around the outer edges. In other words, don't go down the aisles.

Why?

Because that is where ALL the processed foods are - which are so harmful to your body. I try to stay away from anything that is pre-packaged and/or I cannot read the ingredients on the label (ex. Maltodextrin - which was on the back label of a Cheetos bag).

So, what are around the outer edges at your local grocery store?

• Veggies, Fruits, Meats, Milk, Orange Juice, Yogurt, Cheese, Poultry, Seafood, Breads

More importantly - I try to shop organic. I know it can get expensive. So, if you are on a budget (like me), then you should really concentrate on buying organic milk (I've heard horror stories about "regular" milk) & meats (steaks, chicken, pork & fish).

So, the next time you are at your local grocery store - remember to shop only around the outer edges. Then, you can start cooking meals with "real" ingredients. It will taste better than anything coming right out of a box. And, when you cook healthy meals - you will lose weight!

Stay tuned for some healthy recipes! ;)



Pink Kitchen


...xox...

Liz

Mixing Cheap with Couture

Like I have said before - I don't necessarily follow the trend. I wear what I like - I find that if you follow any sort of "trend", you end up not being able to wear those clothes months from now because they will be considered "out-of-style". 

Well... my husband and I went out on Friday night - and I wanted to share with you what I wore. I mixed cheap with couture:

Jean Shorts: Target

I recently purchased these jean shorts from Target for $15. Target has an amazing selection of cute summer shorts & they are really flattering! I love the lace detail on the sides. 

Tank Top: LF

Detailed Beading

I got this shirt from a store called LF. I know it's a chain - but I'm not sure where else it is. I actually bought this shirt 60% off - and it was originally $150. LF is an amazing store - I would describe their store as "California Chic". However, I would NEVER buy anything full price from here.

Neutral Bandeau Bra: LF

I wore this cute bandeau under my tank top.

Earrings: Tarina Tarantino

These earrings are from one of my all time favorite sparkly jewelry designers: Tarina Tarantino. Her stuff is absolutely amazing. I ALWAYS receive compliments when I wear her stuff. It's definitely worth saving up for one of her pieces.

Platforms: Jeffrey Campbell

These shoes are so intense & I love it. Jeffrey Campbell is one of my favorite shoe designers. His designs are unique and unlike anything you'll ever see. These are my favorite sparkly platforms - I always receive compliments on them! Where did I get them? My favorite store: Nordstrom!

Pink Clutch

I'm not really sure where I got this clutch - but it was the perfect pink piece to tie my outfit together.

I apologize for the blurry photos - next time I won't use my phone to take pictures! Also, I wish I had taken a picture of myself with the whole outfit all together. I'll make sure to do that on my next "Princess Style" post.

I hope you enjoyed. ;)

...xox...

Liz

Catch Me If You Can

Before I share with you some of my favorite exercises and routines that I use on a weekly basis - I want to go over one basic fact:

Cardio is your best friend.

I don't know about you - but I think the most beautiful, healthy & fit body is: toned, long & lean. (This DOES include curves.) How do you get this type of body? Step #1 - add cardio to your workout. 

What is considered cardio?

• Running (my personal favorite)
• Swimming
• Biking/Cycling
• Dancing
• At the gym, you can use the elliptical & treadmill.

Cardio is an entire body workout. If you do the proper amount of cardio each week, you will notice your body changing and becoming more and more toned.

Sometimes people don't realize that if you do 500 crunches a day - you will never see results unless you add cardio to your fitness routine.

Cardio, actually, is a fantastic ab workout. Have you ever been in a cycling class and the instructor told you to "suck your stomach in to your spine"? That is because your abs are powering you through the workout.

Other than my daily runs every week - I probably only work on my abs 2x a week. It's all I need with all the cardio I do!

So, how much cardio do I do in one week? I run 5x a week and try to do a cycling class 1x a week - which makes a total of 6x per week. 

That can be a lot to some people - but I do recommend that you do cardio 4x per week for at least 45 minutes. When I run outside or at the gym, I usually run anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour. I rarely have a cardio session that's less than 45 minutes.

Try adding cardio 4x a week - and let me know what happens! ;)

Princess Running Shoes

...xox...

Liz