A Lifestyle Change...

This is quite a serious and personal blog post that is typically different than all the stuff I usually write about. The reason I decided to write about this personal matter in my life is because writing helps me paint a big picture of how exactly I feel towards something. It's therapeutic to me.

Since I was young, I have always been overweight. It didn't bother me as much when I was a kid, but in my teenage years it has always been in the back of my mind. I have tried and attempted countless diets to try and lose weight, but my issue with them all was the fact that if I didn't see success quickly, my motivation would break and I would just give up.
I can become motivated and try really hard for a few weeks, but if I don't see change, it's done.

The biggest concern for me with my weight is that it's holding me back in life. I am a very confident person, but to be quite honest my body type keeps me from doing things I want. I am a summer girl, I love the warm weather, but it's also a time when I feel self conscious. I try not to wear shorts because I get embarrassed about how my legs look. When my friends have pool parties I never go swimming. I don't like the beach, and I always don't fully enjoy myself when on vacation.

As you can see from my blog I am extremely passionate about fashion. I love clothes and make-up and anything to do with the fashion world. But, I never get to dress how I want or wear the cool clothes that are in style each season because I know I won't look good in them. I know I want my career path to fall in that industry, but how can I be what I truly want to be if part of me is always hidden away in fear?

This is also starting to affect my social life. I won't go to a lot of parties because I worry about how I look in a dress. I don't want to be seen as "the fat girl." I recently went to a party where there was dancing and I was sitting at a table with five or six girls. A guy came up to the table and started asking some of my friends to dance, they each said no. He went around the whole table asking each girl and after the one sitting beside me I figured I was next. He turned around and walked away without asking me at all. I would have said no anyways, but the fact that I didn't get asked hurt. I know it has to do with my size. This is why I try to steer clear from going out to places like this.

I have a lot of friends and I'm known as someone who is funny and always cracking a joke. I like having that reputation, it's nice, but I am only seen as that to guys. I'm not rushing into finding a relationship, but I wouldn't mind having one. This is another thing that is being affected because of my weight. I won't put myself out there because I'm self conscious.

I want to act, model, be known to the public eye, and this is not to say that bigger people can't get this recognition (Adele, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hill) but in all honesty, being bigger limits you. In modelling you'll be seen as "plus sized" and in acting you'll get type-casted according to your size. Body image is not everything, of course, but it's a big part of surviving and succeeding in society.

I have recently decided that I'm going to put myself on a very strict diet because I want to change my lifestyle and I want to be one hundred percent confident and happy with myself. I decided to talk openly about this on my blog because I thought it would motivate me more knowing that people were possibly reading and following my story. Maybe I'll motivate someone else who is feeling the same way as me. I want to document my successes and failures so that when I win in the end, (and I will win) I can look back at the journey that I took to reach my goal.

My goal will to be to lose thirty to forty pounds by the end of the summer and to become more active. I recently got into a gym craze where I tried to go every day, but I fell out of that routine. I hope to start that back up again. I have also started to go to yoga weekly which I really enjoy, and that is something that I want to become a routine this summer. I will try to update and talk about my achievements every two weeks.

So here's to a healthier and happier lifestyle and here's to conquering my goals for the present and the future. :) Wish me luck.

Eight Foods To Eat When Aunt Flo Is In Town...

Here's how the story goes... You're drinking your eight glasses of water a day, eating healthy, exercising properly, and keeping your carb intakes low - you're as motivated as ever to get ready for the hot summer weather, new Victoria Secret bikini already purchased and hanging on the wall. But then, something happens. An annoying, vexatious, and unpleasant visitor knocks on your door, and hands you an obnoxiously pretentious present in which you did not ask for on your wish list. Yes, I'm talking about that horrible monthly gift that graces us women with it's presence every twenty-eight days. It turns your self-controlled and in-check cravings into reprehensible, and shameful, out of control munchies. Chocolate, ice cream, chips, candy and all things junk food are what you yearn for - by the time seven days have passed, there is zero food morsels left in your house. Trust me, I speak from experience. Though, I've come to the conclusion that we should absolutely not let this evil and vile 'visitor' take over our life and make us do these preposterous acts. To help all you ladies out, I've researched a few foods that are healthy and won't mess up your diet that you've been working so hard on for the past few weeks.

Brown Rice 

Carbs are something we all hunger for, especially during our time of the month. We crave carbs when we are PMSing and on our period because we have low-energy. To solve this, most of us turn to sugar to treat the craving. A healthy alternative is to eat fibre-rich complex carbs to keep up your energy levels, such as brown rice. Brown rice is not only really tasty, but there are so many different ways to prepare and eat it.  Also, it's loaded with magnesium which is said to reduce bloating and contains lots of vitamin B. 

Yogurt 

When Aunt Flo is in town, she is very demanding, pressing and energy draining - basically by the time she leaves, you've had twenty naps in seven days and you're still falling asleep in class. To reduce these symptoms, a simple solution is to eat a lot of yogurt or drink lots of milk. Along with decreasing fatigue, low-fat dairy products are good sources of calcium that can reduce breast soreness and cramping. An added bonus, is eating these foods with high doses of calcium in them can help lighten your flow. 

Leafy Greens 

During your time of the month, eating plenty of leafy greens such as spinach, kale or swiss chard have lots of good benefits. Any type of leafy green is rich in iron and vitamin B, and have a high fibre count - these can help with digestive issues during your period. Greens also contain lots of calcium which is good to alleviate depression and irritability during PMS. The good thing about greens is it's easy to incorporate with any meal whether you are having a salad for lunch or spinach at dinner. 

Nuts

 When your monthly gift arrives, sitting on the couch with a giant bowl of crunchy and salty chips while you're curled up in a blanket watching The Food Network sounds like a dream, right? Well, we all know that those chips are totally not good for us. But fear no more, there is a healthier alternative to your chip craving that still satisfies those salty taste buds. Nuts contain magnesium which help reduce bloating and also help to shorten and lighten your period. They also are a great source of iron, to help keep you from getting iron deficiency. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and brazilian nuts are great to snack on when you feel like something salty and you don't want to stuff your face with oily and greasy potato chips. 

Avocados

It's inevitable, when Aunt Flo comes for a visit, you will not be able to escape the horrible cramps that she brings along with her. One way that's known to reduce those ugly period cramps is to consume lots of vitamin E. Avocados contain lots of vitamin E which helps reduce pain during your monthly gift. Avocados also contain acids and compounds known as 'plant sterols' which have an effect on hormones such as estrogen and progesterone that control the regulation of menstrual cycles. If your period is irregular, avocados can help regulate it. So whip up some guacamole, or slice them up plain - either way, they are a great source of nutrition and aiding for your period.

Bananas 

You can never have too many home remedies to help reduce those pesky cramps, and another way to help soothe your tummy pains during your week of suffering is to eat bananas. Bananas are loaded with potassium and magnesium which help reduce cramps and decrease bloating. Not only are bananas good for cramps, they also contain vitamin B6 which - you'll thank me later for this fact - helps keep your skin looking young and healthy! (And we all know how we feel about our skin at this time.) 

Water

It's extremely important to stay hydrated on your period, so drink lots and lots of water - do avoid cold water though because it could increase painful cramps. If you get dehydrated on your period, this could also induce painful cramps, and we definitely want to avoid this at all costs. If you're not a water drinker, or you just want to make it a bit more interesting to drink, add lemon to it. Lemons can help ease the pain of cramps and can also lighten your period - it's also a great cleanse for your system. 

Dark Chocolate

I couldn't write one of these lists without including dark chocolate because let's face it, at the end of the day, we need just a little bit of chocolate to keep ourselves from going crazy, right?  Dark chocolate (65% or more cocoa), believe it or not, is actually good for soothing those cravings during your monthly gift - so do indulge, please. (Ok, don't get too crazy though.) It is also linked to boosting serotonin in your body and contains endorphins which helps improve and enlighten your mood. (And we need all the help we can get in that category, right ladies?) Another awesome fact about dark chocolate is it can actually help with cramps and PMS. Chocolate contains magnesium which can ease cramps and increase energy. So next time you are having a crazy craving for a chocolate bar, on your monthly gift, or not, you need not feel guilty if you sneak a little piece.  

I hope this list helped you out a little and I hope you try out some of these remedies to help yourself through this painful and unpleasant time of the month. Whether you're reducing your cramps, or lightening up your mood, every little thing helps, right? Leave me a comment and let me know of any remedies you have, or if you tried any of the above and they worked well for you!     

My Oscars Best Dressed Picks!...

The Academy Awards have come and gone once again, and not only are we left with the best picks in film and actors, we are also left with a whole lot of fashion to critique and judge. The Oscars was one of the toughest award shows to judge this year because everyone looked so fabulous! Here are my picks for the best dressed at the Academy Awards...

Cate Blanchett looks exquisite in this nude coloured Giorgio Armani gown. Many said that the dress is so stunning on her because you can't tell where the dress ends and her own skin begins - the colour is perfect on her. Usually someone with a skin tone as fair as Cate's would get lost in a dress this colour and would be washed out by it, but this is not the case for Ms. Blanchett. The fitted top and flowy skirt look exquisite on her figure. One of my favourite parts of this dress is the sheer sleeves which once again practically blend into her body. Cate's make-up is very light and natural, her hair is a styled beautifully and effortlessly and she accessorized with gorgeous Chopard earrings and a diamond bracelet - simple yet sophisticated. 

Olivia Wilde not only looks fabulous in this Valentino dress, she is glowing proudly with 'soon-to-be-mama' joy. Olivia proves that you can still look high-class and trendy with a baby bump. The gown's design is made perfectly for the mom-to-be with a high neckline and a cut out back. The simple yet bold black of the dress looks elegant against Olivia's glowing skin. The 'pop' of white in the back adds the perfect amount of brightness to her look. Ms. Wilde's simple up-do pairs perfectly with her Lorraine Schwartz diamond earrings - giving those jewels a perfect opportunity to dazzle and shine.

Emma Watson looks classy and sleek in this metallic Vera Wang top and skirt ensemble. Emma only came to present an award, but she definitely stood out and made a statement on the red carpet. The dress compliments her small figure perfectly. Her simple hair style with a side swept bang is not too much for the look and her natural make-up with a red lip gives the outfit a bit of a colour pop. Emma is wearing Solange hoop earrings and various rings from different designers such as Chanel, Bouchon and Jessica McCormack - giving the classy look a modern edge.     

Jennifer Lawrence, the face of Dior, looks stunning in a bright red Dior (duh!) gown. Even though she didn't win an Oscar, Jen still won for one of the best dressed people on the red carpet, standing out in this gorgeous strapless dress. Jennifer looks so classy in the gown, and the addition of her Neil Lane statement necklace gives the perfect amount of elegance and fun to her bold look. Jennifer's natural and light make-up and styled back hair show off her gorgeous face and are an ideal choice for the loud gown. 

Kate Hudson wow'd everyone on the red carpet in this striking white Atelier Versace gown. The plunging neckline and long silk skirt train compliment each other and Kate's fair skin tone. Looking at the front of the dress you're in awe at how elegant it is, then Ms. Hudson turns around and the back is as exquisite as the front! The low back shows off just the right amount skin, and that cape - marvellous! Kate pairs her statuesque ensemble with side swept curls, an edgy smoky eye and simple drop diamond earrings. 

Lupita Nyong'o is not only an Academy Award winning actress, she's also the newest style icon on the fashion scene. Lupita dazzled in this elegant duck egg blue Prada gown, which was made personally for her. Lupita looks like a modern day Cinderella with this pleated skirt, plunging neckline, simple diamond jewels to accessorize and a diamond tiara-like headband that adds a magical feel to the look. The best supporting actress winner said the colour reminded her of Nairobi, her hometown in Kenya - she wanted a little bit of home with her. 

My absolute favourite look of the night, and also the most underrated look was Naomi Watts in this stunning white Calvin Klein dress. Naomi looks like a goddess in this gown. The cut is perfect, the material is angelic - it looks like the dress was made for her. The whole ensemble from her hair and make-up to her accessories flow so well and make her stand out against the crowd. Naomi's spiderweb-like Bulgari necklace is very chic and modern against the classy gown. Her simple hairstyle doesn't busy the clean look and the red lip gives a colour pop to the frosted ensemble.  

The Little Gucci Dress - Six Ways To Dress Up A Little Black Dress...

"Should I wear, the little Gucci, the little Gucci dress or the little Gucci dress?" "I know, how about you wear the little Gucci dress." Sound familiar? A little nineties throwback for you all in which Posh Spice just couldn't decide what to wear. This turned out to be every girl's biggest problem when trying to find something to wear out. Yet, what do we all most likely resort to? A little black dress. Well, that's what I tend to do of course. It's simple, yet always looks chic and trendy.
Here are six different ways to dress up a little black dress, so you stand out from the hundreds of other little black dress wearers.

 A Cute Sweater is Always Better...

If you're going somewhere you know will have the AC cranked up, or are going to a party that is outdoors, a sweater is a necessity to pair with your black dress - a fancy one of course. I wore a black knitted sweater with gold buttons down the side, it's comfy and cozy yet still looks stylish. You could wear a coloured sweater also and possible coordinate your shoes with it. So many possibilities! 

Coloured Tights, City Lights...

One trend that I really love this year is all the amazing patterned and coloured tights there are. Whether it's cute polka-dot tights, bold, bright blue tights or even edgy tights with rips in them, they are a perfect way to turn your black mini dress get-up into something a little more different and unique. I paired my dress with a pair of maroon tights (because I'm loving this colour right now) and wore black pumps. Still a simple, elegant look but has a bit of a 'pop' to it. 

Let's Be Reckless With A Necklace...

I really love big and chunky necklaces, and I think wearing a striking piece of jewellery with a simple black dress is a great way to compliment your style. Also, because of the simplicity of the black dress, you can basically go as wild and crazy as you want with your jewellery and nothing will clash or look too busy. This is also the perfect opportunity to wear your hair up so everyone's attention will be drawn to that gorgeous necklace.  I once again went with a maroon colour necklace which I just recently bought and I absolutely love - as well as put my hair up in a ponytail (which I don't do often, but this was a great time for me to change things up!)  

No Need To Snarf With A Fresh New Scarf...

A scarf is not only useful for keeping you warm on a cold winter day. It's also a great accessory for your black dress. Just like I said about the necklaces, because you are wearing a solid, black dress, your scarf can have the most intricate patterns on it. This is your chance to go big here! I wore one of my favourite black and white checkered scarfs - the bold pattern stands out beautifully against the dress, yet still compliments the outfit nicely.  

Boys Will Chase Her In That Blazer...

So I have a bit of an obsession with coloured blazers. If I could, I'd have the whole colour spectrum of blazers in my closest. Wearing a blazer with a dress is one way to turn a mini dress into a smart and sophisticated piece - a coloured blazer does all that and adds a bit of fun too! I paired my black dress with this teal blazer and accessorized with a silver necklace, because blue and silver look amazing together! 

Be My Guest, Wear A Vest...

What else is better than dressing up your little black dress with a fur vest? (Faux, of course) I've always thought the faux fur vest looks incredible sophisticated and high-class worn to accessorize basically anything - jeans, a skirt and in this case, a little black dress. I also added a long chain necklace to the look as well as a bold red lip. This outfit will for sure make you stand out in a crowd, and all eyes will be on you the whole night. 

Of course there are many other ways you can accessorize with a little black dress, these are just a few that I have listed.
Leave me a comment and tell me how you dress your party outfit up!