Graphic eye tutorial

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EASY HALF-UP TWIST HAIRSTYLE TUTORIAL

I was playing around with some styles after filming a braid tutorial when I came up with this simple do. It’s perfect for when your hair looks pretty good out but you want to pull it back off your face.

Hands up if you have the habit of tucking your hair behind your ear all day long. Yep, that’s me with both hands up. I love wearing my hair out but get frustrated with hair in my eyes.

If you’re like me then you have to try this style.

I think it’s so easy and would be gorgeous festival hair with a flower crown. It would be gorgeous for a boho bride too.

Me? I’m just going to wear this on a lazy day when I want to wear my hair out without constantly tucking it back behind my ear.

What you need:

• Small clear hair elastic
• Bobby pins (optional)

Step-by-step hair tutorial:

Separate out a section of hair on either side of your face.

Then pick up a small piece of hair between the front section and the rest of your hair.

Join these small pieces of hair together at the back of your head with a small clear hair elastic. You can alsotopsy-tail this section to make sure is firmly in place.

Next take part of the front section you left out and start wrapping it around the hair at the back of your head. Keep wrapping until all your hair is included in the half-up twist.

If you want to give this style extra hold, you can use bobby pins to hold the twist in place. Alternatively you can use hairspray too.

STYLING TIPS

• What if your hair keeps falling out of the twist? If your hair keeps falling out, it’s probably too clean. You can use a little dry shampoo to add some grip to your hair. Alternatively you could use hairspray on the sections before you start to wrap them around.
• What if your hair is curly? Then this style is going to look gorgeous! Curly or wavy hair is perfect for this type of updo, and your hair will hold really well. You probably won’t need any bobby pins at all.
• What if you don’t have a small elastic? You should really go an get some. They are the best but if you have a big elastic, try and choose one to match your hair colour so it’s more easily hidden in the finished look. source

Winged Cat Eye

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​​11 Reasons to Celebrate Your Big, Awesome Thighs

It's pretty clear that butts are all the rage. And while we're making it like all the booty hype is brand new, women's shapely bums have always had sex appeal, while other parts of our body have gotten the shaft. Like, thighs. Especially curvaceous, substantial, thick thighs. Unlike a big butt, where's the pride in having big thighs?

Well, believe it or not, ladies born with thick thighs needn't hang their heads in shame over "chub rub" or struggling to squeeze into skinny shorts every summer. As it turns out, those fuller legs are actually something to celebrate. Here, 11 surprising benefits of big thighs.

1. You look more polished in the summer. While women with slimmer thighs may be spending the hotter weather months in teeny shorts, you're drawn to supremely more stylish A-line sundresses or cool, linen pants. Fashion win.

2. Your fitspiration role models are the sexiest, most powerful around. Think Shakira, Beyonce, JLo, Serena Williams, Khloe Kardashian. Not waifish runway models.

3. You can have rocking lower body strength. The muscles in your legs are the biggest in the body, which means they could be (at least partially) to thank for those "thunder" thighs. (Let's take that nasty playground insult as a compliment now, eh?) Even if they're not, working on tightening and toning them will pay off. The more muscle on your body, the higher your metabolism, and the more fat you'll burn. Plus, who wouldn't want to be more adept at squatting, lifting, running, dancing, etc.? All perks of strong hammies and quads!

4. Speaking of squats ... A lot of women actually wish they had curvier legs, and thus do specific work at the gym to get what you've already got!

5. You may be at less risk for heart disease. Okay, so research shows the fat that accumulates in the thighs and booty is harder to shift than fat around your stomach, but it's actually better than having a pot belly, according to researchers from Oxford University. Fat around the waist (think apple shape) is thought to be more dangerous and raise risk of heart disease and diabetes.

6. ... and have healthier bloodwork to prove it! The same study found women with bigger thighs have lower levels of cholesterol and are more likely to produce hormones to metabolize sugar.

7. You were an early adopter of Spanx. Everyone and their mama may wear shapewear these days, but you probably jumped on the bandwagon way back, realizing that they'll not only smooth lumps and bumps but prevent chafing, too.Smartypants!

8. You own the vintage "wiggle" dress look. From Marilyn Monroe to Joan Holloway on Mad Men, women have been wearing curve-hugging dresses for decades, and the sexy style simply wouldn't work sans fuller thighs.

9. You can't help but have a more unique style. Whether you're tall, petite, or somewhere inbetween, having big thighs means having to go to throw in the towel on wearing a lot of the same cookie cutter clothes in major retail stores or having your tailor stored in your favorite contacts list! Either way, you're not going to look like everyone else -- which is something to cheer about.

10. You'll have less pain later in life. Researchers at the University of Iowa found that stronger thigh muscles can help protect women (not men!) from the pain of arthritic knees later in life. Hurrah!

11. And less risk of injury. No matter how "big" they are or how they rub together (thigh gap, be damned!), fit inner thighs mean a stronger core, which keeps your spine happy and wards off back injury!

12. You're in kick-ass company. What do snowboarders, surfers, climbers, long-distance runners all have in common? Bigger, muscular thighs, obvi. And they need them to cross those finish lines and take home medals. Now, how's that for something to be proud of? source

10 Workout Moves to Make Your Breasts Perkier

From doing tons of squats to pushups galore, we know working out can transform our shapes in mind-bogglingly awesome ways. But there are certain "figure fixers" we're more skeptical about than others. Like those exercises we've been told for eons are supposed to perk up our breasts. Is it really possible?

Well, believe it or not, it is! Experts say that targeted exercises and strengthening the right muscles (the pectoralis major and minor) canenhance your "girls." Here, 10 smart moves to try for perkier breasts andperfected posture ... (Shoot for 8-12 reps and up to 4 sets per move.)

1. Sag stoppers: Start in a lunge with a band looped under back foot. Hold an end in each hand by shoulders, arms bent and parallel to floor, elbows behind you. Press arms straight out to front, level with shoulders. Slowly and with control, bring arms back to start so you feel chest stretch open. Switch legs and repeat.

2. Medicine ball pushups: Come into a pushup position with left hand on top of a medicine ball, right hand on the floor. Engage legs and draw belly button up and in. Keeping the body in a straight line, bend elbows and slowly lower down as far as possible. Press up through both hands to return to starting position. Complete the prescribed number of reps on one side and then place the opposite hand on the ball and repeat.

3. X-Raises: Stand with feet hip-width apart, the end of a band under each foot. Hold the other end in the opposite hand so bands crisscross in front of you, hands at sides. Bend knees and squat, extending arms out slightly to sides. As you straighten legs to stand, simultaneously reach up and out. Return to squat for one rep.

4. Chest Pass: Lie faceup on the floor with knees bent and feet flat, holding a medicine ball at chest. Keeping lower back pressed into the floor and abs engaged, throw the ball up in front of you as high as possible. Catch with straight arms and immediately lower back to your chest and repeat. Continue as quickly as possible until all reps are complete.

5. Kickbacks: Stand on a resistance band, feet hip-width apart, holding an end in each hand. With arms down at sides, squat and bend slightly at waist, keeping back flat. Draw the band behind you, keeping arms straight, squeezing shoulder blades together and feeling chest stretch open. Slowly release arms for one rep.

6. Shoulder Presses: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees a little bent. Hold the dumbbells a little above your shoulders and press them up until your arms are straight over your head. Hold for a second and lower the weights to where you started. And repeat.

7. Pullovers: Rest your upper back, shoulders and neck in a resting position on a bench, and both feet flat on the floor. Your knees at this point should be bent at 90 degrees. Now hold the dumbbells over your breasts, hands outstretched. Then lower them as much as you can below your head level. Repeat it by lifting the dumbbells back up above your chest.

8. Pectoral flys:  Grasping two dumbbells, lie on your back on the floor or bench. Bring your arms straight to your sides. Lift dumbbells above your chest, internally rotating shoulders, with elbows pointing out to sides. Lower dumbbells to your sides until you feel chest muscles are stretched with elbows in a slightly bent position and repeat.

9. Push-ups: Lie facing the floor with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. Keeping your core tight and your body straight, raise your body slightly off the floor by extending your arms. Lower your body to the floor by bending arms and repeat.

10. Planks: While in a push-up position on the floor, rest your weight on your forearms, bending them at 90 degrees beneath your shoulders. Make sure to keep your core in tight and spine in a straight line. Hold for 30 seconds to one minute. source

11 Proven Ways To Increase Metabolism

Every time we eat or drink, we can thank our metabolism for converting all those calories into energy. Our size, gender, and age all factor into our metabolic rate, but there are also ways to independently control its speed. And the faster our metabolism, the more calories we burn off, making that Krispy Kreme breakfast no longer such a big deal. Here are 11 ways to keep that body burning:

1. Sleep!
Almost nodding off in line at Starbucks isn’t the only downside of not catching enough zzz’s. Researchers have found a link between metabolism and sleep, and not getting enough of it may seriously slow metabolism.

2. Drink green tea.
Not only does this superfood pack an antioxidant-punch, researchers have found it speeds metabolism as well. Plus, it’s naturally calorie-free, so there’s no reason not to enjoy a mug (or two).

3. Amp up workout intensity.
Slow and steady may not always win the race. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), such as interval runs, are quick intense exercises that can jumpstart metabolism and keep us burning calories long after the workout is over. (Afterburn effect, anyone?)

4. Don’t skip breakfast.
It may be time to reconsider hitting snooze in favor of getting up to grab a quick bite before starting the day. Studies show the importance of quick-starting metabolism with breakfast. No AM appetite? Snack on something small, like a bowl of Greek yogurt.

5. Pump some iron.
The weight room isn’t only to help bulk up or get lean. Lifting weights can also help speed resting metabolic rate, making those dumbbells our new best friends.

6. Gulp some H20.
Forget converting it to wine—drinking enough water is a simple way to speed up digestion and burn calories. We may need more than those recommended eight glasses a day, too. Now if only wine could speed metabolism, too…

7. Spice things up.

The next time a chicken breast is cooking up in the kitchen, add a dash of cayenne pepper. The heat from the pepper is thanks to capsaicin, which won’t only add a fiery kick—it could help boost metabolism, too.

8. Squeeze in some cardio.
Hop on the bike and clock in some miles— one study found that 45 minutes on the bike sped up metabolic rate for over 12 hours. Guess learning to ride a bike way back when was worth it!

9. Eat wisely.

Who knew eating could actually help speed calorie burn? Certain foods like tuna and grapefruit have been shown to speed up metabolic rate. Packing in protein has also shown to boost metabolism, so pick some eggs over pancakes at the breakfast table for a morning metabolism boost.

10. Grab a cup coffee.
This caffeinated morning beverage is not only a savior when it comes to pushing through a midterm paper or work meeting. A cup of coffee (or the caffeine in it) is absorbed into the blood stream very quickly, speeding up heart rate and provide a metabolic boost that peaks at about three hours after drinking.

11. Laugh a lot!
A little laughter may go a long way. Scientists have found that as little as 10 minutes of laughter per day (or roughly half an episode of SNL) can burn energy. Just another reason to stay smiling! Source

Retro Waves and a Compliment Giveaway

There's always a place to wear your hair like this, and it'll work with any length of hair just about! unless you have a pixie cut.haha Also a big part of keeping the curls in all day is letting them set, and it's something that I do often with my hair to keep a curl, but if you have hair to or above your shoulder-blades

and now onto the fun part!

 I've been a huge fan of Melissa and her work at Shop Compliment for ages now, and I'm very excited to share her shop with you guys in a giveaway for $50 credit! I have a bunch of pieces from her at this point that I love and wear often, and this pair from the Kimberly Collection I knew were just right to feature in a wedding tutorial! With a different compliment in every box, I think these would be the perfect gift for bridesmaids, friends, sisters, or to yourself!:)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Well I hope you completed all the entries you could, and I hope you love this style! It's a favorite of mine (and martin's) for sure, and I hope that you give it a try as well and then come back to tell me how it went:)

I love the bohemian unkempt hair trends this year, but it'd refreshing to do something sleek and classy once in a while don't you think? Anyway's be sure and leave any thoughts or question you may have down in the comments section, and I hope you have a great day! Thanks for stoppin' by,

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