Elf // Natural Eyes Beauty Book Review

I recently came across Elf Cosmetics. I knowwww what rock have I been living under! When I saw how affordable this makeup was I thought that the quality must be lacking. But I bought this little kit (its actually quite large) anyways to give it a whirl. This Natural Eyes Beauty Book I got at Target for $5! Whaaaat?!

It comes with an eyelid primer, cappuccino eye pencil, six eye shadow shades and an applicator! All for $5. Wowie! So far I've only been able to find these products at Target and Walgreens but for a full inventory of all their products order straight off the Elf Website. Overall, I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. I can't wait to start trying more of their items.

Do any of you have a favorite Elf Product?!

Skinny Breakfast - Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

Just in time for fall! These pancakes have amazing flavor. I LOVE PUMPKIN! =]

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Oat Flour

2 tbsp Splenda, Truvia, or Ideal

1 tbsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tbsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Allspice

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

4 Egg Whites

1/2 cup Raw Pumpkin

1 1/2 cups unsweetened Almond Breeze

*To make these protein pancakes instead, use only 1 1/4 cup of oat flour and 2 scoops of your favorite vanilla protein.

Directions

Preheat griddle to medium heat.

Mix oat flour, Splenda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg in a bowl.

Wisk egg whites and pumpkin. Mix in Almond Breeze.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together.

Spray griddle with non-stick butter spray.

Scoop batter with a 1/4 cup measuring cup onto griddle. Cook 3-5 minutes on a side.

Makes 10 pancakes

August Glam Bag // Ipsy

Hello Pretties! I'm so excited to share my Ipsy August Glam Bag with you! The products they sent me are great for a glam look in minutes.

Typically, I’m not much of a “pamper” myself kinda girl. I don’t regularly get pedicures, I don’t get my nails done, I do my own eyebrows. But since Troy has been in school full time I’ve found it hard to have some alone time to pamper myself. For example, I recall a time last month….where I finally had a chance to take a look at myself “in detail” ( hahhaha I wasn’t throwing on some makeup and running out the door or washing my face late at night and jumping into bed) and my eyebrows looked like something you would see on a wooly mammoth or the abominable snowman! It was BAD. So needless to say I’ve been anxiously looking forward to receiving my Ipsy Glam Bag to take a minute to do some personal pampering.

Here's what came in my bag!


Michael Todd

Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich Facial Mask

I was most excited to try the Michael Todd Pumpkin Nutrient Rich Facial Mask. I haven’t used a GOOD mask in a long time. I’ve got annoyingly temper mental skin that breaks out if it’s too dry, breaks out if it’s too oily, etc. This mask is only done once every other week or two and you only leave it on for 5-10 minutes! It made my skin feel a little cool when I put it on and when I washed it off I instantly noticed that it was toned and tightened and the pH level seemed balanced! I didn’t get over dry and it didn’t cause an overstimulation of oil production. I LOVE IT!

Smashbox

Photo Finish Foundation Primer

I used to use this product daily, I like it pretty well. Although if I use any sort of moisturizer at night my skin seems too oily the next day when paired with the foundation primer. But it’s definitely great for making your foundation go on flawlessly and evenly. I also feel like my makeup looks less layered and more natural with the primer.

MicaBeauty

Eye Shadow in Bronze

 I was instantly worried that this eye shadow wouldn’t give me a rich color and that it wouldn’t last all day because it contains mica which is typically a filler ingredient. I tried this eye shadow with an eyelid primer and without one and it seemed to wear about the same and surprisingly it gave a good, rich color throughout the day. Although the color isn’t the most flattering with my skin and hair color, I think the product quality was decent.

Pixi Beauty

Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Black

I was pretty excited to try this mascara as well. I. LOVE. MASCARA! I was blessed with long, thick and dark eyelashes (thank you momma) but I’m still very particular about my mascara. It can’t be too thick causing clumps and it can’t be too thin causing long stringy lashes. I feel that a brush plays a huge part in how well the mascara looks on your lashes and I didn’t particularly care for the brush. The consistency of the mascara was a little too thin for my liking and didn’t give the fullness I was expecting. Overall it’s a decent product but I probably wouldn’t purchase this item.

Urban Decay

Revolution Lipstick

Lastly, the Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick. First of all – I’m not daring about lip shades and was apprehensive to wear this vavoom color. Soooo I opted for wearing it around the house while cleaning. =D Troy laughed at me when I came out of the bedroom Saturday morning with my crazy dreadlock hair (he calls me Angelina Jolie in Gone in 60 Seconds when I wake up with crazy hair in the morning) and this RED lipstick on my lips. =D hahaha I told him I was experimenting and he just laughed. I actually started to like the color the longer I wore it. It made my teeth look extra white and my lips extra big! It gave really great coverage, without getting on my teeth or smearing and it lasted the WHOLE time I wore it. It washed right off too with soap and water without staining my lips permanently red.

Overall, these products make a great for a quick posh look.If you haven’t joined Ipsy yet I would definitely suggest it! It’s always fun to try new prodcuts!

Free Carseat Canopy

Free carseat canopy ($49.95 value!) from CarseatCanopy.com! 

Just go to Carseat Canopy's Website, pick your carseat cover and use promo code 'seven' at checkout! 

5 Killer CrossFit Workouts

CrossFit requires some insanity with a “don’t quit until you’re dead attitude”. These are extremely tough workouts but when you push yourself and finish, you’ll be left feeling more than accomplished.

Workout 1

Treadmill – Running for 1 Mile

Pull-ups – 100 reps

Push-ups – 200 reps

Self-Squat - 300 reps

Treadmill – Running for 1 Mile

Workout 2

Barbell Thruster – 25 reps

Pull-ups – 25 reps

Workout 3

Barbell Thruster – 100 reps for time with 5 burpees on the minute every minute.

Workout 4

Barbell Deadlift – (1.5 bodyweight) 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 reps

Powerclean - .75 of bodyweight 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 reps

Barbell Bench Press – Medium Grip at body weight 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 reps

Workout 5

7 Rounds for Time

Kettlebell Swings -15 reps

Power Clean – 15 reps

Box Jump – 15 reps

12-Week Beginners Guide to Muscle Building // Phase 1 Get Started

Congrats on making the decision to start this journey to a fit lifestyle!  This 12-week program will guide you to becoming fit while teaching you all the tools you’ll need to maintain that fit and healthy lifestyle. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have along the way!

Phase 1 is the muscle endurance phase so you’ll need to do 3 sets of 12 repetitions with 1 minute rest between sets. Remember not to push yourself beyond your abilities – it could cause injury or burnout due to sore muscles. You’ll want to lift 60% of your maximum ability.

Phase 1 // Week 1 // Day 1

The Workout

Chest and Triceps

Dumbbell Bench Press

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest 

Flat Bench Cable Flys

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Narrow Pushups

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Standard or on knees

Standing Dumbbell Triceps Extension

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

 Triceps Pushdown

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest


Phase 1 // Week 1 // Day 2
Back and Biceps

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

 One-Arm Dumbbell Row

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

 Seated Cable Rows

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min

 Underhand Cable Pulldowns

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

 Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest 

One Arm Dumbbell Preacher Curl

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Standing Biceps Cable Curl

3 sets of 12 reps

1 min rest

Phase 1 // Week 1 // Day 3

It's LEG DAY! I LOVE leg day! =] 

Leg Press

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Leg Extensions

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Wide Stance Barbell Squat

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Seated Leg Curl

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Standing Calf Raises

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Seated Calf Raise

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Phase 1 // Week 1 // Day 4
You’re almost done with your first week of training! That wasn't so bad right?!

Shoulders and Abs

The Workout

Seated Dumbbell Press

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise To A 'T' (up and open)

3 sets of 12 reps, 1 min rest

Side Lateral Raise

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest 

Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

 Exercise Ball Crunch

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Air Bike

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Phase 1 // Week 1 // Day 5

REST

Phase 1 // Week 1 // Day 6

REST

Phase 1 // Week 1 // Day 7

REST

Phase 1 // Week 2 // Day 8
To Recap:  3 sets of 12 repetitions with 1 minute rest between sets

 Chest and Triceps 

Wide Pushups

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Standard or on knees

Dumbbell Bench Press

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Flat Bench Cable Flyes

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Narrow Pushups

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Standard or on knees

Standing Dumbbell Triceps Extension

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Triceps Pushdown

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Phase 1 // Week 2 // Day 9

Back and Biceps

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

One-Arm Dumbbell Row

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Seated Cable Rows

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min

Underhand Cable Pulldowns

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

One Arm Dumbbell Preacher Curl

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Standing Biceps Cable Curl

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Phase 1 // Week 2 // Day 10
You're on your way to some killer stems! You guessed it - LEG DAY!

Leg Press

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Leg Extensions

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Wide Stance Barbell Squat

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Seated Leg Curl

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Standing Calf Raises

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Seated Calf Raise

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Phase 1 // Week 2 // Day 11

Shoulders and Abs

Seated Dumbbell Press

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Standing Dumbbell Straight-Arm Front Delt Raise To A 'T' (up and open)

3 sets of 12 reps, 1 min rest

Side Lateral Raise

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Exercise Ball Crunch

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Air Bike

3 sets of 12 reps
1 min rest

Phase 1 // Week 2 // Day 12

Rest

Phase 1 // Week 2 // Day 13

Rest

Phase 1 // Week 2 // Day 14

Rest

Phase 1 // Week 3 // Day 15

Today is a big day! It’s the first day of muscle building! The last 2 weeks you’ve been prepping your muscles, now is when we start building and toning them! We're starting with our legs!

Leg Extensions

3 sets of 10 reps

Wide Stance Barbell Squat

3 sets of 10 reps

Walking Barbell Lunge

3 sets of 10 reps

Single-Leg Barbell Deadlift (shown with kettlebell)

3 sets of 10 reps

Lying Leg Curls

3 sets of 10 reps

Seated Calf Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Standing Calf Raises

3 sets of 10 reps

Phase 1 // Week 3 // Day 16
Back and Biceps

Hammer Strength Lat Pull

3 sets of 10 reps

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown

3 sets of 10 reps

Alternate Option:
Pullup

Seated Narrow Grip Cable Rows

3 sets of 10 reps

T-Bar Row

3 sets of 10 reps

Alternate Option:
Bent-Over Barbell Row

Back Extensions

3 sets of 10 reps

Barbell Curl

3 sets of 10 reps

Incline Dumbbell Curl

3 sets of 10 reps

Alternate Hammer Curl

3 sets of 10 reps

Phase 1 // Week 3 // Day 17

Keep up the hard work! You're probably doing things you you've never done and that is something to be proud of! Don't stop - let's keep pushing forward!

Chest and Triceps

Wide Pushups (close hand position also shown)

3 sets of 10 reps

Incline Dumbbell Press

3 sets of 10 reps

Flat Bench Flyes

3 sets of 10 reps

Alternate Option:
Machine Flyes

Decline Flyes

3 sets of 10 reps

Bench Dips

3 sets of 10 reps

Alternate Option:
Bar Dips

Lying EZ-Bar Triceps Extension

3 sets of 10 reps

Dumbbell Triceps Kickback

3 sets of 10 reps

Overhead Two Handed Triceps Extension

3 sets of 10 reps

Cable One Arm Triceps Extension

3 sets of 10 reps

Phase 1 // Week 3 // Day 18
LEG DAY!!

Leg Extensions

3 sets of 10 reps

Wide Stance Barbell Squat

3 sets of 10 reps

Walking Barbell Lunge

3 sets of 10 reps

Single-Leg Barbell Deadlift (shown with kettlebell)

3 sets of 10 reps

Lying Leg Curls

3 sets of 10 reps

Seated Calf Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Standing Calf Raises

3 sets of 10 reps

Phase 1 // Week 3 // Day 19

We're focusing on shoulder and abs today! If you're struggling with motivation, make a motivation board if you haven't already. Here are some examples of some of  my favorite motivation boards, here, here and here. 

Seated Dumbbell Press

3 sets of 10 reps

Rear-Delt Cable Flyes

3 sets of 10 reps

Dumbbell Front Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Seated Arnold Press

3 sets of 10 reps

Dumbbell Lateral Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Crunches

3 sets of 10 reps

Roman Chair Leg Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Oblique Crunches - On The Floor

3 sets of 10 reps per side

Phase 1 // Week 3 // Day 20

REST

Phase 1 // Week 3 // Day 21

REST

Phase 1 // Week 4 // Day 22

We're focusing on legs again today. Did you know that most people's "problem areas" are their butt and legs? We'll fix that! Keep up the hard work!

Leg Extensions

3 sets of 10 reps

Wide Stance Barbell Squat

3 sets of 10 reps

Walking Barbell Lunge

3 sets of 10 reps

Single-Leg Barbell Deadlift (shown with kettlebell)

3 sets of 10 reps

Lying Leg Curls

3 sets of 10 reps

Seated Calf Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Standing Calf Raises

3 sets of 10 reps

Phase 1 // Week 4 // Day 23

Today is a back and biceps day! Men, you know the drill - ladies, don't fret, conquering these muscles shows hard work and dedication. If you're not feeling like a bombshell yet, get ready because your back and biceps are the cherry on top.

Hammer Strength Lat Pull

3 sets of 10 reps

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown

3 sets of 10 reps

Alternate Option:
Pullup

Seated Narrow Grip Cable Rows

3 sets of 10 reps

T-Bar Row

3 sets of 10 reps

Alternate Option:
Bent-Over Barbell Row

Back Extensions

3 sets of 10 reps

Barbell Curl

3 sets of 10 reps

Incline Dumbbell Curl

3 sets of 10 reps

Alternate Hammer Curl

3 sets of 10 reps

Phase 1 // Week 4 // Day 24

Get ready to forget about flab with this triceps and chest work out. 

Wide Pus-ups (close hand position also shown)

3 sets of 10 reps

Incline Dumbbell Press

3 sets of 10 reps

Flat Bench Flyes

3 sets of 10 reps

Alternate Option:
Machine Flyes

Decline Flyes

3 sets of 10 reps

Bench Dips

3 sets of 10 reps

Alternate Option:
Bar Dips

Lying EZ-Bar Triceps Extension

3 sets of 10 reps

Dumbbell Triceps Kickback

3 sets of 10 reps

Overhead Two Handed Triceps Extension

3 sets of 10 reps

Cable One Arm Triceps Extension

3 sets of 10 reps

Phase 1 // Week 4 // Day 25

Legs! Legs! Legs! You're about to have some killer legs. =] This leg workout will target your calves and quads. 

Leg Extensions

3 sets of 10 reps

Wide Stance Barbell Squat

3 sets of 10 reps

Walking Barbell Lunge

3 sets of 10 reps

Single-Leg Barbell Deadlift (shown with kettlebell)

3 sets of 10 reps

Lying Leg Curls

3 sets of 10 reps

Seated Calf Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Standing Calf Raises

3 sets of 10 reps

Phase 1 // Week 4 // Day 26

 Shoulders and Abs are on the agenda today. We're about to step into fall but that's no reason to slack on your midsection. Show your determination and focus while you build your best body. 

Seated Dumbbell Press

3 sets of 10 reps

Rear-Delt Cable Flyes

3 sets of 10 reps

Dumbbell Front Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Seated Arnold Press

3 sets of 10 reps

Dumbbell Lateral Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Crunches

3 sets of 10 reps

Roman Chair Leg Raise

3 sets of 10 reps

Oblique Crunches - On The Floor

3 sets of 10 reps per side

Phase 1 // Week 4 // Day 27

REST

Phase 1 // Week 4 // Day 28

REST

Congratulations on completing phase 1 of 3 in the 12-Week Beginners Guide to Building Muscle Series. Up next is Phase 2 where we take it to The Next Level.

Phase 2 - Level Up

No Equipment CrossFit Workout

I've been getting awesome responses from my readers about these no equipment crossfit workouts so I thought I'd share another great one with you that can be done anywhere!! 

Move from one exercise to the next without resting.

Jump Squats – 10x

Butterfly Situp -10x

Burpee -10x

Triceps Dip -10x

Lunge Hop – 10x

Pushup – 10x

Complete as many rounds as you can in 15 minutes