Author: ClaireRobben

How I Fell in Love With Working Out

To be honest, I’ve always been one of those people who would rather take a nice long nap instead of going to the gym; in fact, the thought of physical activity made me cringe. But, like everyone else, I still wanted that perfect beach bod but without the hard work. That was until my roommate introduced me to this magical powder, also known as pre-workout.

One of the biggest reasons I couldn’t get my butt over to the gym was because of my lack of energy. Pre-workout solved this problem for me and let me tell you, I don’t know what I would do without it. You can buy it online or at a supplement store. You mix one scoop of this powder with about six to eight ounces of water and voilà! You have a cup of energy, the type of energy that makes you want to move. So, your only option is to go to the gym. It’s truly been a miracle for me.

The next thing, and quite possibly my favorite thing about going to the gym, is picking out my outfit. The best part about workout clothes is that they can be worn all day every day, or at least that’s my excuse for buying a ridiculous amount of leggings and tennis shoes. My favorite outfit to wear to the gym is high-waisted leggings, an athletic tank that I tie in the front or cropped shirt, and sometimes a sweatshirt I’ll tie around my waist. I’ve always believed that feeling good helps you to perform better and when I feel good in my clothes I’m already more motivated.

The third thing that gets me in the gym is weight lifting. Recently, I fell in love with weight lifting. At first, I thought weight lifting was just for guys but I learned that’s completely wrong. Weight lifting is the best way I know how to burn fat and build muscle that tones, and sculpts my body. If I need help figuring out what exercises are best for the female body and examples of how to do them correctly, I go straight to Instagram. Instagram is full of fitness bloggers who share their own fitness journeys. Just seeing their results gives me motivation and reminds me exactly what I’m working towards. A few of my favorites include Cristina Capron, Jill Christine, and Katy Hearn.

Now my advice to you is to find the thing that makes you fall in love with working out. Figure out what it is that’s holding you back and think about how you can fix it. One of the biggest things I learned is that fitness really is a journey. You have to be patient and remember that the times you want to give up the most are the times that it’s most important to keep going; it doesn’t just happen over night.

 So, what motivates you to get your sweat on? Tag @Cfashionista on social media and let me know!

The Vintage Trend I Stole From My Mom’s Closet

The best trends are always the ones that make their way back from years past. Adding the right “vintage” accessory is the key to making your outfit stand out. One particular trend I’ve been noticing more and more is neck scarves. Neck scarves were a popular item of the ’50s and have trickled in and out of the style scene ever since. I wanted to try the scarves out and see if I could work them into my own ensembles. So, I thought what better place to look for a vintage accessory than my mom’s closet? This is what I found:

She had a bunch of different silky little neck scarves for me to choose from: a floral scarf, a white scarf, a cheetah print scarf, even a bandana type scarf. For this, I had to give the woman some style points. So now the question was, how do I pull it off? I soon realized, and what I love most about these little scarves, is that they can be worn in so many different ways depending on the type of style you identify with. It all depends on the details. For example, I created a simple, chic look by pairing a little gray scarf tied in a knot with jeans, a long coat, and heels. If you wanted to go for an edgier look, you could try a bandana tied around the neck paired with any kind of leather garment and some hoop earrings.

Next, I tried tying a scarf with one corner hanging down, a way that almost reminded me of an old western movie. I added a hat to the look and felt vacation-ready.

For my last look, I got a little bit of my inspiration from the movie Grease and a little bit from Kendall Jenner. I pulled my hair up, added some red lips, some sunglasses, and tied a sheer, floral scarf around my neck.

It’s so hard to find a trend that works for every single person but this simple little accessory is so versatile, you could fit it in to just about anyone’s wardrobe. So, with that, try taking a peek into your mom’s closet and you might be surprised at what you can find. The best part is, it’s free!

What’s your favorite vintage accessory? Let me know in the comments below!

4 Must-Have Makeup Products for Summer

As the days continue to get hotter and hotter, it can be a pain to find a lasting makeup routine that can handle the constant sweat that plagues us all throughout the day. Not only do you want your makeup to stick around for hours, but summer is also a time to have bronzed, glowing skin. Here are four products you need if you want to beat the heat and shine all summer long.

The first product, one that has recently dominated the beauty scene, is highlighter. Highlighter is the stuff that is responsible for radiant, glowing skin. I have tried both powdered and liquid highlighters and have been most impressed with the liquid version. A great, high-end liquid highlighter is Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops but for those of you who are “ballin’ on a budget”, I would recommend Maybelline Master Strobing Liquid. Liquid highlighter can be used by mixing it with normal face foundation to give a subtle, all over glow. This is perfect for the summer because as long as the sun is shining, so is your skin. You can even blend liquid highlighter on top of your foundation in specific “highlighting areas”, such as your cheekbones, for extra glow.

Summer is the time to be bronzed and beautiful. Even if you don’t have the time to lay out by the pool or hit the tanning salon, bronzer is the makeup product that will always be there for you. It’s the one thing that can give you a kissed by the sun look in just seconds. You can even use it to do a little bit of contouring. Bronzer is the best way to achieve the look of effortlessly flawless skin.

Another huge trend for the summer is the color reddish-orange. I had been contemplating how to incorporate it into my wardrobe for quite a while when I came across the most perfect shade of lipstick: Lady Danger by MAC Cosmetics. Reddish-orange lipstick pops against a summertime tan and pairs well with simple makeup. You’ll be sure to turn heads without even trying in this fierce shade of red.

Now to pull the whole look together, it’s incredibly important to use setting spray. Setting spray is what holds your makeup in place throughout the day—keeping it fresh and streak free. You can use it both before you apply your makeup, as a primer, and after you apply your makeup to set the look. It gives your makeup the boost it needs, keeping your face hydrated and luminous even after several hours of wear and tear.

When looking for a great makeup routine that works for you, I find it best to try new things as much as possible so you can get a good idea of what you like and what you don’t like.

Try some of these products and let me know what you think! Are there any summer products you can’t live without? Share them with us by tagging @Cfashionista on social media!