Friday Five: Get Fit with YouTube

Hi Everyone! Today I have a little bit of a different type of blog post, but it is something that I am excited to share with all of you. As you can tell by the title, today's Friday Five will be dedicated to fitness and the wonderful (free) world of YouTube. We all use YouTube for entertainment purposes, but it can be used as so much more than that. There are so many amazing people that post videos that you can use everyday towards your own personal benefit. The YouTube fitness community is only going to continue to grow, so if you haven't already discovered it, allow me to introduce you!

Let me start out by giving you a little bit of my own personal fitness background. I'll be the first to admit it - I get in workout slumps pretty much every year, mainly in the fall and early winter months. As a lot of people do, I get motivated around New Years because I feel like I can use the whole "new year" thing as a reset. There is that saying that "summer bodies are made in the winter". I suppose that's partially what I'm preparing for, but I also just feel that at times I need to do it for my body and overall health. Let's face it - when you're eating better and getting regular exercise, you actually feel better. And once I start making healthier choices, the extra pounds usually come right off. I'm going to take you through some really great, FREE fitness programs and channels that exist on YouTube that I have used over the past few years to really help me get into shape. I've "been there and done that" with the whole really expensive workout programs and I'm just going to say it - you don't need to be spending that money at all. If those programs work for you - then go for it. However, I just want to throw out there that I've lost 10 pounds in the past 4 months and here's my secret - make healthier food choices and exercise regularly. That's about it. Oh, and I did it with a little help from these guys! (Read on below)



1. Tone It Up

Everyone, meet my personal trainers and BFFs, Karena and Katrina. I owe pretty much all of my weight loss and fitness goals to these two beautiful and amazing women. You may recognize them from their TV show Toned Up on Bravo; however, I discovered these girls years ago and look to them every time I need some motivation. I call them my personal trainers because they literally make up my workouts for me. I even have their app on my iPhone where they provide me with a weekly workout schedule. And you don't even need the app because everything is on their site right here! I highly recommend anything and everything that these girls put out there. This is definitely my favorite program to follow!

Check out their channel here:

2. Fitness Blender

I also want to introduce you to this incredible husband and wife team, Daniel and Kelli of Fitness Blender. This amazing couple has put in so much time and effort to create all kinds of free and full length fitness videos for their YouTube subscribers. I am actually amazed at how many videos are available for free on their channel, a lot of which don't even require equipment. I found them about a year ago when I needed to start getting back in the fitness mindset and they helped me so much. They have great beginner videos, which is what I always start out with and I love that you can do everything right in the comfort of your own living room. The format of their videos is super simple to follow too! For more details, you can check out their website here.

Check out their YouTube channel here:

3. Blogilates

Meet Cassey Ho, certified fitness instructor and YouTube fitness sensation. Her fitness blog is amazing and includes free meal plans, workout plans, recipes, and more! She has a ton of videos that are free on YouTube and just seems like a real genuine person. She tries to make her workouts fun, but still extremely challenging. I love to try out her Pilates videos and total body workouts. Check out her blog here!

Check out Cassey's YouTube channel here:

4. BeFit

This next YouTube channel I discovered a few years ago when I was trying out the free BeFit in 90 workout program. I couldn't believe that a 90 day workout program existed online that I could get my hands on for absolutely no cost at all. Not only did I find that specific program, but I discovered that so much more existed on this channel. There are all kinds of series to follow and just overall great free workouts featuring some recognizable fitness trainers. Check out their channel right here!

5. XHIT Daily

This particular YouTube channel is one of my more recent discoveries. I love that the concept of this channel is to provide daily workout videos that include not only training sessions, but really great tips and how-to videos. It gives me something to look forward to everyday and I especially like to use these videos for when I need to get in a quick, yet effective workout.

Check out this channel here:

I hope you all enjoyed this special fitness post and try out some of the workouts from the above channels. I highly recommend any of them! Please let me know your thoughts and if there are any other channels I need to know about :)

Have a great weekend!!<333

xox,

                  Meredith

Summer Style: Casually Covered

Like I mentioned in my previous post, my summer style tends to be on the causal side. Since I spend a lot of my time at the beach during the summer, my nights out are usually for a casual dinner, movie, ice cream, or just literally hanging out. For nights like these my style is pretty uniform with a graphic tee or tank, denim shorts, and something to throw over my shoulders for when the temperature drops or I'm in air conditioned places (some restaurants are so cold!). Instead of having a little jacket, I love to use button down shirts and just keep them unbuttoned. I roll up the sleeves a little, grab a pair of sandals and then I'm ready to go. I threw in some lip products for fun ;) Check below for three outfits that I basically own and will totally wear this time of year.



Outfit 1:

Plaid Shirt / Top / Shorts / Sandals / Lip Gloss

Outfit 2:

Lipstick (Pink Plaid) / Sandals / Graphic Tee / Shorts / Plaid Shirt

Outfit 3:

Chambray Shirt / Shorts / Top / Sandals / Lip Balm Stain (Cherish)

Hope you've enjoyed! :)

xox,

                Meredith

Summer Arm Candy: Bracelets & Bangles

Although my style tends to be more on the simple side in the Summer, I still like to throw on a bracelet here and there to add a little extra glam to my casual outfits. Whether you like stacking multiple bracelets together, or just wearing one standout piece, the below bracelets are perfect for either preference. I typically either wear one by itself, or stack one or two on top of my watch. Are you noticing a color trend this summer already? I'm loving the open cuff links and cool-toned colors!

Links Below!

xox,

                 Meredith

P.S. A good bracelet is a great gift for a friend!

June Ipsy: Pretty in Paradise Glam Bag

It's that time of the month again (eek, no, not that time) when that little shiny pink envelope arrives in the mail with my name on it. I'm talking about my June Ipsy Glam Bag! I have to say I really like this month's theme and I loved the look of the bag even before I knew it was by Rebecca Minkoff. So now I love it even more :) Keep on scrolling to see what I got in my June Ipsy! I'd have to say the standout item is the NYX Butter Gloss - even though I already have that particular shade - but why not have a backup?

Rebecca Minkoff June Ipsy Bag:

Carol's Daughter
Sacred Tiare Anti-Breakage & Anti-Frizz Styling Cream

Realtree
for Her

OFRA
Universal Eyebrow Pencil

NYX
Butter Gloss

Eclair

Nicka K New York 
Shimmer Eyeliner

Blue

Sign up here!

I may do a makeup look using some of these products - let me know your thoughts!

xox,

                Meredith

Friday Five: Essie Year Round Nail Polish

Happy Friday! Since my current self-done manicure is in Essie's Geranium (no. 5 down below!) and I find myself using this color no matter what the season is, I wanted this Friday Five to consist of the particular Essie shades I like to use year round. When you can't really decide what color you feel like painting your nails, you should always have some go-to nail polishes. I love all five of the colors below and I always find that the formula of each shade is perfect for a quick and neat manicure with two simple coats. Find out what the exact color names are below! If you want a challenge, and are an Essie fanatic like I am, try and guess first! ;)

Links Below!

No. 4 Topless & Barefoot

1. Chinchilly - No matter what time of year it is, this is definitely one of my favorite nail polishes ever. The color is more of a purple/gray when you have it on your nails and it just looks great with everything. Even not on nails, I just like this color in general!

2. Set in Stone - Although I never wear this polish on it's own, I find myself playing around with it all the time. Whether I add it to one or two nails (my ring and pinkie finger seem to be my thing) or over any color on every nail for some extra glam, this polish is great to have in your collection.

3. Over the Edge - This is my go-to dark nail polish. It is almost black but has sort of a dark dark metallic charcoal thing going on. I use this a lot for a pedicure and got my mom wearing it all the time. Yeah, my mom can be edgy (not really).

4. Topless and Barefoot - This is a such a beautiful color. It is the perfect nude nail shade. It applies so nicely too. Such a classic look that can be used any time of year. 

5. Geranium - Like I mentioned earlier, this is what I am currently wearing right now as I type. It is my favorite Essie red by far. I'm really not into those 'true' red colors, and this one has a brighter effect without too much orange. It applies so smoothly too. Definitely my go-to red!

Here are some pictures I found from my Instagram featuring some of the colors. I did all of them myself :)

Used 'Set in Stone' for the tips

'Topless & Barefoot'

'Geranium'

'Over the Edge' on ring finger & 'Set in Stone' on ring and pinkie

Have a great weekend loves!

xox,

                 Meredith

Daytime Makeup Look

I was having one of those days where I just liked the way my makeup came out, so of course I had to document it for you. (Ladies, take advantage of when you like the way you look and don't be afraid to take pictures and share your beautiful face with me and everyone else!). It turns out that many of the products I used are also featured in my "My Go-to Makeup Look" post from a few months ago (same exact eye look). See it here. There are, however, some changes in products so I wanted to keep you updated! I apologize for the lighting and quality of the pictures - it was a little later in the day so the natural lighting wasn't at it's best, but you can still get an idea of what the makeup looks like in action. For a full list of everything I used, keep on reading!

Products Used:

Face:

Primer - MAC Prep + Prime Skin Primer

Foundation - MAC 'Mineralize' Moisture Foundation Broad Spectrum - NW18

Concealer - Benefit Fake-up - Light

Powder - MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural - Medium

Cheeks:

Bronzer - Milani Baked Bronzer - Glow (Pictured in product picture is a similar bronzer by Victoria's Secret)

Blush - MAC Prism

Highlight - The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer

Eyes:

Primer - MAC Paint Pot - Soft Ochre

Lid - Lorac Pro - White & Cream

Crease - Lorac Pro - Taupe & Sable 

Liner - MAC Blacktrack Fluidline Gel Liner & Urban Decay 24/7 - Black Velvet

Brows - Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade - Dark Brown

Lips: 

MAC Pink Plaid

xox,
                Meredith