Technology to Help You Stay in Shape

Though bikini season may seem like a million months away, it's always nice to try and better your health and body. Exercising doesn't have to be all about the gym, and if you have a smartphone, or computer, and access to the internet you can make your own gym at home. Below are some apps and videos that help my get off the couch and break a sweat.

The Jillian Michaels Show podcast
Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser is a no BS kind of gal, and her podcast is simply that. She is always in the know of new exercises, will debunk any diet fads, and is all about showing the ways to maximize your workout and life. Whenever I'm feeling extra lazy I listen to her podcast, and it's the push I need to put on my workout clothes and tie my sneakers, which is already half the battle.

Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30
I've pretty much tried all of Jillian Michaels' DVDs because she knows how to pack a satisfying workout in under thirty five minutes, and that is easy to squeeze into my day. Half an hour later I am breathless, sweaty, and sore. Ripped in 30 is the latest one I'm trying out, and it is not an easy dvd, but feels great to accomplish.

Blogilates
Cassey Ho is a certified fitness instructor with an amazing YouTube channel. She has over 200 work out videos, which range from fat burning workouts to cardio dance parties, so you can't get bored. And if you sign up on her site (it's free) she will send you the password to see her workout calendar, which changes every month.

5K App
I really enjoy running outside, when it's not 5°F, but when I first started running I had no idea how far I was actually running. The 5K app makes running easy because it tracks your distance, and helps build your running tolerance by having you walk for a few minutes in between runs. The app doesn't need to be open in order to work, so you can listen to music, and it will make announcements of your progress from time to time.


Don't beat yourself up if you think you had one too many slices of pizza, instead try a new workout and sweat the worries away.

Conditioners Made For Long Hair

Growing out my thick, wavy/curly hair has made me learn valuable lessons: hair knots are real and terrible, and that not all conditioners are made the same.  Some are too thick, which weigh down my curls, and others can be so watered down that after a shower my ends have a closer resemblance to hay than hair.  Taming my hair is no easy feat, but I thought I would share the conditioners that always have my back.

Moroccan Oil Moisture Repair Conditioner $23
This conditioner is infused with the argan oil that makes the original Moroccan Oil so popular.  It always leaves my ends silky soft right after rinsing.

Aveda Damage Ready Restructuring Conditioner $27
I purchased this conditioner after I had dyed my hair and was having trouble growing it out without split ends. This conditioner is enriched with quinoa proteins, which soften like a dream. It also visibly strengthened my ends, and now my long hair is curlier than it's ever been.  If you have super dry ends that need mending, I really recommend this conditioner.

Suave Salon Professionals Sleek Conditioner $3.50
If you're on a budget, this conditioner is definitely one of to check out.  I think it's one of the best drugstore conditioners out there.  Leaving it on for five minutes before rinsing will leave you with soft and manageable hair.  And for the price, what's not to love?

Winter Skin Saviors

With the new year comes the cold Northeast winter. The mix of the outside frigid air and blasting the heater at home can cause dry, cracked skin, especially on your hands and lips.  I was never one to care about moisturizing when I was in my teens, but now I can tell it makes a difference on my skin.  If one of your new year's resolutions is to have soft skin, then these products will not only make you feel moisturized, but look pretty enough to carry around for the rest of the winter season.

Dior Creme de Rose Soothing Plumping Lip Balm $27
This is not your run of the mill lip balm.  It smells like roses, has a light, creamy consistency, which feels like silk on the lips. Since it doesn't have a gloopy vaseline-type feeling it can be used both in the day and night. As for the plumping claims, my lips aren't showing Angelina Jolie qualities (you'll be the first to know if they do), but the moisturizing effect is a special treat on cold day.

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm $27
This Aesop cream is one of the most moisturizing creams I have every used. It has natural ingredients, and is enriched with tocopherol and Beta-Carotene for a deep moisture. It is a bit thicker than the L'Occitane cream below, but it never feels heavy.  All of Aesop's scents are woodsy, botanical, and unisex. Out of all the scents offered resurrection aromatique is my absolute favorite because the blend of mandarin rind, rosemary leaf, and cedarwood atlas create a musky scent with hints of citrus. I love it so much that I use it on my whole body (yes, I'm a rule breaker).

L'occitane Hand Cream in Marvelous Flowers $10
The main reason I love this hand cream is because the smell makes the girl in me swoon. It has a sweet floral scent that lingers on your hands, and is small enough to throw into your bag and have in case of a dry skin emergency. This cream leaves your hands leaves your hands feeling like velvet, and has no greasy residue.  I think this scent was limited edition, but L'Occitane has so many scents that you're bound to find the right one for you.

I hope you found some of these products useful and are staying warm out there!