Renaissance Fair Fun!

Hello Everyone!

Last weekend I attended a Renaissance Fair in Bristol, WI.  I went with some of Jon's family and we had an absolute blast.  When we got invited I was expecting a big fest with various tents and vendors and some people dressed in the traditional garb, but I was pleasantly surprised.  It is an actual town with shops, cafes, bars, and even psychic readings.  We strolled through the town and watched a group of actors perform Shakespeare monologues for us.  They all did such a great job, and did a great job of including the audience.  We then continued walking about and rode some of the medieval rides, which are not too different from those of today.  After some rides and lunch, we headed over to a jousting match.  What an awesome show they put on!  I believe our rider won the entire competition, so that was pretty exciting.  The last thing we did whilst at the fair was watch a mud show.  It was two men competing against one another in the mud for the best crowd reaction.  Just as they were getting into their good bits it started to downpour, so we sought shelter and the show ended....due to the crowd fleeing.  Since the rain was not going to blow over, we headed back home.  All in all this was such a fun day, so I thought I would show you how I got ready for the fair and share some snapshots of our day!

How to Become a Renaissance Lady:

The Hair How-To
1. Part hair into a middle part all the way through.
2. Separate hair into two sections and flip head upside down and braid.  Secure with a clear rubber band.
3. Repeat on the other side and look incredibly sexy ;)
4.  Pull both braids across head and secure with bobby pins.
 

The Ensemble
- Burgundy velvet dress courtesy of Goodwill
- Waist cincher from Amazon (did not ship in time..so did not have at the actual fair)
- Black flat boots

Snaps from the Fair:

Hope you enjoyed seeing some shots from our day.  For more information on the Renaissance Fair check out their website for dates and ticket information - Bristol Renaissance Faire

- Courtney

Ulta Made Me Do It!

Hello Everyone!

Recently I have been attending events at my local Ulta store put on by different brands and been buying a bit too many things!  In the past 2 months I have attended a class put on by Too Faced and a makeover put on by It Cosmetics.  Both were great experiences and offered different ideas and tips to my everyday and evening looks, plus the brand representatives were extremely helpful.  The first class, by Too Faced, was to teach you how to contour, but we also went over every other step in the makeup process from face priming to highlighting.  I found this class extremely helpful in the sense that I was able to talk through putting on eyeshadow properly and understand what techniques and looks best suit my eye shape.  The second event I attended was a makeover put on by It Cosmetics.  They held this on a Saturday, so I made sure to book one of the last appointments, so I could get my makeup done for the evening.  This turned out to be a win win because I have fallen in love with a few of their face products, which I was actually in need of since my current foundation is running out (this is my pathetic way of justifying my purchases...).  I have been using some of these products longer than others as the events were held about a month apart, but I thought I would give you a review of some hot makeup items on the market right now!

Too Faced
Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Peach Beach - $30.00
Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Peony - $21.00
Better Than Sex Mascara in Carbon Black - $23.00

It Cosmetics
Bye Bye Redness Correcting Creme - $32.00
Your Skin But Better CC Cream with SPF 50+ in Light - $38.00

All of these products have made their way into my heart, some I think to stay forever (unless they are discontinued...let's pray they won't be!) and others I may not repurchase.  The IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness may be the best makeup item to grace this universe.  I have a lot of red tones in my skin, and this is amazing at removing it all without even putting a foundation on top.

Look at the difference this product makes.  On the left I have absolutely no makeup on, and on the right I am just wearing the Bye Bye Redness.  This product is a miracle worker :)

Moving on from the Bye Bye Redness, I am absolutely head over heels for the Better Than Sex Mascara.  I have mentioned this before, but my love just continues to grow for this.  It is lengthening, thickening, and easy to remove.  Pure mascara bliss.  On top of the Bye Bye Redness, I am using the Your Skin But Better CC Cream, which is great.  It is very lightweight, but leaves a nice dewy effect on my skin.  I also love that it is SPF 50+!  Once this bottle runs out I plan to go a shade lighter for the fall/winter months, so my skin is still protected from the sun.  Lastly, I am a big fan of the Sweetheart Perfect Flush Blush.  This acts as a blush and highlighter in one, and is great to swipe on your cheeks when you are in a hurry.  The only product I am not super crazy about is the Melted Liquified Long Wearing Lipstick, but mostly because the color does not go with many looks I wear.  It is a baby pink color, which I do not think suits me at work, so I am limited in when I can wear this shade.

The finished look sans lipstick.  I was at book club, so I did not feel like putting on a lip product right before eating and drinking.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about some great new products on the market that I think would suit all skin types and skin problems.  Have you tried any of these products?  Let me know in the comments below what you think :)

- Courtney

Exercise of the Week: Lunges with a Bicep Curl

Hello Everyone!

Happy Monday to you all!  This week's exercise of the week is a lunge with a Bicep curl.  This is a great way to work your lower and upper body while focusing on balance, too! I've mentioned before I like to get the most out of a workout, so why not combine more than one muscle group in one move.  Simplicity at its finest ;)

Lunges with Bicep curl

Target muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Biceps, and Core

Starting Position

 Step 1
Step forward into a lunge, keeping your arms at your side.
Make sure your knee does not go over your toes.

Step 2
Bend arms at elbows to perform bicep curl.

Step 3
Stand back up. to our starting position....or this dorky pose..you choose ;)

Modifications: Alternate arms on Bicep curl.

Enhancements: Walking lunges and/or heavier weights.

I challenge you to do 3 sets of 12-15 lunges with Bicep curls on each leg, 3 times this week! Good luck :)

- Courtney

Exercise of the Week: Wall Sits

Hello Everyone!

Hope you are all having a great Monday thus far and looking forward to a new exercise to spice up your routine.  Currently I am trying to get as much leg work in as possible, so this week's exercise is: Wall Sits.  I am trying to incorporate any and all lower body exercises into my days, because you can literally do them anywhere!  As long as you have a wall or an equivalent you can hold some wall sits and feel that oh so wonderful burn.

Wall Sit
Target Muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Core, Shoulders

Wall Sit
Pay no attention to my awkward hands :P

Stand with your back facing a wall, then slowly lower yourself into a seated position.  Try to lower yourself enough that your legs make a 90 degree angle.  Make sure to keep your back, shoulders, and head flat against the wall.  Hold for a desired amount of time.

 

Feel free to add intensity and variations to your wall sits:
- Add any upper body exercise like bicep curls or a shoulder press using free weights or a
  resistance band.
- Put an exercise ball between your back and the wall for additional back support.

 

I challenge all of you to do 3 wall sits for 30-60 seconds 4 times this week!

Enjoy :)

- Courtney

Book Club: Trust

Hello Everyone!

Welcome back to the second edition of Book Club!  We had a very good time at this month's book club....mostly due to way too many bottles of wine, but it was a fabulous Sunday Funday.  This month's attendees were: Kate, Lauren, Caitlin, and Shannon...we missed some of our others, but they had other commitments and could not make it.  The book we read during the month of August was: Trust by Pamela Kelly.  We all really enjoyed the book, as it was a quick read (very good beach read if you are traveling) and kept you on the edge of your seat.

Trust by Pamela Kelly:
In TRUST, 36-year-old, high school teacher Lauren seems to have it all. She moved back to Waverly several years ago, has a great career, and has finally found true love. Lauren is getting fitted for her wedding dress, and her wedding is just a few weeks away, when one of her students goes missing and she suddenly becomes a person of interest. Her fiance, David is a former minor-league pitcher turned stockbroker, who is excited to settle down with Lauren. But when the missing student is found dead, and the media turns its attention even more closely on Lauren, David is surprised to discover that Lauren hadn't told him everything about her past. With the help of his 91 year old grandfather, who is a retired town sheriff, and his best friend Jack, the current assistant sheriff, he sets out to find the truth. TRUST is set in a small, seaside town in Massachusetts and cooking helps Lauren to relax as the madness of the investigation swirls around her. In the back of the book you'll find her favorite recipe for braised short ribs (it works just as well with beef brisket too).


The best thing, next to the books we read, is the food we bring to book club.  We all make or bring something that is mentioned in the book for a hodgepodge spread of good eats.  Last month we had some difficulty because the book we read did not mention too much food....BUT this month every other page a food was mentioned or she was cooking something.  I almost felt like I was reading a cookbook at some points.  We all had fun baking and cooking dishes and chatting about how quickly we found out who exactly was responsible for the murder.  We did not get into what actors would be best for a movie version...mostly because we all read it right after our last book club and forgot what they looked like.  I will be trying to read to book closer to our next date, in order to retain a bit more for our discussion.

The spread

Rigatoni, Meatballs, and Pizza with a side of Risotto

Chocolate Chip Cookies and Banana Bread

Stay tuned for next months book club review! Our next book is Hidden by Catherine McKenzie.

- Courtney

Exercise of the Week: Walking

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by for another great exercise to perform over the next 7 days!  This week's exercise is: walking.  You may be thinking, how can you go from plank up-downs and burpee push-ups to WALKING!?  I am doing this because it is good to learn challenging exercises, but it is also beneficial to be reminded of exercises we can do anywhere and all the time.  Walking is such a great exercise, but with busy work schedules and social lives, we find ourselves sitting way too often.  It is time to change that! As I mentioned before walking is an activity that all age and ability levels can participate in, it is completely free, and you can do it anywhere!

I went to Starved Rock last week with my coworkers, which is a State Park that boasts tons of walking trails.  It was great to escape from the daily grind of the office to enjoy nature, while getting tons of steps in.  I have included some photos from our trip, and encourage you to get out on a 30 minute walk 5 times this week :)

"Walking is a man's best medicine." - Hippocrates
 

- Courtney 

Unique Storage Ideas

Hello Everyone!

As you may remember I am an avid antiquer and thrift store shopper and I love finding unique pieces and using them in all sorts of way.  Today I am going to share 5 finds and how I use them for storage.

Antique Plate
I picked this plate up antiquing awhile back, and love being able to display all of my lip products on it. Not only do I think this looks neat, it is a great way to quickly find a lipstick and head out the door.

Glass Vase
I have no idea where I got this vase from, but you can find cheap vases anywhere! Being an avid wine drinker this has been a special way to remember evenings with my favorite people. I may need to look into another vase or cork storage option as this is filled to the brim.

Nail Polish Stand
My mom purchased this for me knowing I had been searching for anything to store my nail polish in. This has worked perfectly, but I still cannot decide whether to spray paint it white to match my room better. Suggestions?

Tulip Dish
I got this little gem on Etsy. Jon calls me tulip, so when I saw this little tulip dish, I just had to have it in my life. This is nice to toss jewelry in when I am in a rush and do not feel like putting it in its proper home.

Jug

This was another antique find, and I still cannot get over how beautiful it is. I was on the hunt for something to hold makeup brushes, and this has done just that....while looking amazing :)

 

Do you use any un-ordinary objects for storage?  Share in the comments below!

- Courtney

Exercise of the Week: Burpee Pushup

Hello Everyone!

Happy Monday and thank you for coming back for the second installment of the "Exercise of the Week".  This week's exercise tends to not be a crowd favorite, but it is an excellent exercise and I thought my encouragement may get you to incorporate it this week and maybe learn to like it a little bit!  As the title reads, this week's exercise is: The Burpee Pushup...dun dun dun!  Check out the photos below along with the modifications and try to do 3 sets of 10-15 burpees 4 days this week :)

Fun Fact: Royal H. Burpee was a physiologist in New York City who invented a much milder (and less tormenting) version of the movement, intending it to be done just four times in a row as part of a fitness test. (Full article here)

Burpee Pushup
Target Muscles: Total Body



Starting Position: Standing

Step 1: Drop down to ball position
Modification: Instead of going all the way down to the floor, use a chair or step to put your hands on.

Step 2: Shoot both feet back into a pushup position
Modification: Step feet back into pushup position.

Step 3: Perform a pushup

Step 3 Complete 

Step 4: Jump or walk feet back into ball position

Step 5: Come back up to standing position and repeat

Enjoy :)

- Courtney

August Stretching Challenge

Hello Everyone!

Happy August!  I was stretching recently after a workout and was appalled at how much flexibility I have lost over the years.  I used to be a gymnast and cheerleader, so flexibility was something I did not lack and enjoyed stretching all the time.  These days since I am not doing crazy tumbling or stunts, I do not think to take 10 minutes and stretch my muscles.  I would like to change this, so I will be doing a stretching challenge for the entire month of August.  I have chose 4 stretches that I would like to improve over the next 4 weeks, and will update you at the end on my progress.  Stretching is extremely important to do, so I am challenging all of you to participate in this challenge with me.  I realize we all have different goals, so no need to focus on the same 4 stretches as me, but even just setting aside 10 minutes each day this month to stretch and reflect.  I will be documenting my progress through photos, so below is me today performing my stretches and I will follow up these photos with my afters once the challenge is over.

Good luck :)

- Courtney