You're Lovely

Self-image is a topic that is constantly being discussed by women. They are trying to tell us that we shouldn’t compare ourselves to the girls on the covers of magazines, and there are numerous videos that prove that women and girls underestimate their beauty, their smarts, and their overall affect on the world. Truth is, we don’t believe in ourselves as much as we should. We nitpick the smallest things and we always find faults within ourselves. I can post a “real” picture of me on Instagram and talk about my imperfections — that’s not hard. What is hard is asking me what I love about myself.

image via Pinterest

Why is this question not asked more constantly? Why are we looked down upon or laughed at when we say what we love about ourselves? Why? These are real questions. I’m challenging you ask yourself what you love most about you and tell someone. Tell us! We want to know what you think your best feature is, whether that be physical or emotional or whatever. Confidence is the most amazing accessory that a girl can have (yes, confidence is even more amazing than a Chanel bag). So to kick things off, my mom and I are both going to list three things that we love about ourselves:

Chloe: the fact that my hair can be straightened or curled (and stay that way all day), the ability to laugh and make fun of myself, and my smile

Kim: my big lips (which took me a very long time to embrace), my love for my family, my adaptability

image via Pinterest

Please leave us a comment telling us what you love most about yourself! This is a no judgment zone so don’t be afraid of what anyone else will think. You know yourself better than anyone else so you should be the one to tell us the best part about you!

xox ~chloe

Barre Class & Baristas

A few days ago I was chatting with my blog buds about whether or not we thought of ourselves as “sporty” people. In elementary school I always had the fastest mile time in P.E. and I was on a recreational swim team. In middle school I played a school sport every season and I also did recreational swimming. Then high school hit, I was sick with what I later found out was POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), and I lost all motivation to do anything athletic. Granted, being in bed for two years it's hard to do anything, but now that I’m feeling better I want to be sporty; at least sportier.

This past year a barre studio opened up in Louisville called B.You Fitness and I was thinking about taking a class for the longest time. Note: thinking about. Lucky for me, the studio had a discount for the new year that made the classes super inexpensive and I decided that I should leap on this opportunity. So I did. Yesterday I took my first barre class. And guess what? I loved it.

photos by Pink Owl Photography

I loved every single minute, every single move, and I even loved the instructor. I always seem to find the meanest instructors at different studios, except when I took Zumba in Denver, but in my barre class everyone who worked there was super sweet. So anyway, barre fitness is my new thing. People who do yoga are yogis, so I guess barre people are baristas? I’m a barista now.

Just go with it ;)

If you’re interested in taking a barre class, I totally recommend it! It’s not intimidating at all, and the moves are definitely do-able. In fact, if there’s a move that is especially hard the instructor typically gives an alternate move so that you feel you are getting the most out of your workout. Below are a few tips/insights on being a “barista”:

1. Bring water! You’re going to need it. 2. If you’re shaking during the workout, then you’re doing something right! Don’t feel like you look goofy, 'cause 'ya don’t. 3. Don’t compare yourself to other people in the class! Everyone’s bodies are different and you have to do what you can do, not what other people are doing. 4. Lululemon was a common theme. I wore an old tie-dye shirt, and stuck out a little bit. It was fine, but next time I think I’ll wear a more fashionable workout outfit. I wish those Athleta sparkle tights had been available in a size small!! Grrr... 5. Your body will feel weak the rest of the day and maybe the next. In fact, as I type this I can’t really feel my arms.

So there you have it! I can’t wait to go to another barre class tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day.

xoxo ~chloe

Have you ever taken a barre class? Did you like it? Any other fitness class suggestions for me… I'm keeping my resolution to work out!

The Power of Lip Balm

I can't sing… but Lil' Mama knows what she's rapping about and the power of lipgloss, so for those of you that are new around here (welcome to the cool kid’s club <-- video reference,  haha) there’s one thing that you need to know about me. I hate lipstick. I think it’s because my lips are pretty full (that’s a nice way of saying large) so I don’t like to exaggerate their fullness. But recently, I discovered Burt’s Bees tinted lipbalm. Oh em gee, this stuff is amazing. It’s basically chapstick with a slight tinge of color so you look like you care but you don’t really care. I usually like to look like I care, but didn't try too hard, so adding a slight hint of color to my lips makes a world of difference. Also, this tinted lip balm tastes pretty good which is important because, let’s face it, some lipstick tastes like you licked the inside of your grandma’s purse (a.k.a. disgusting). So please do yourself a favor, get off your booty and go buy some tinted lip balm. We all know Lil' Mama would have changed her the lyrics in her song Lip Gloss had she tried the tinted lip balm first!

xox  ~chloe