January 10, 2013
13 HEALTHY TIPS FOR 2013

SIMPLE WAYS TO LOOK AND FEEL YOUR BEST IN THE NEW YEAR
Caitlin Murphy  01.10.2013   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

We are about a week and a half into January,  so if you made a New Year’s resolution to get healthy, hopefully you are still going strong! In case you need a little motivation boost here are 13 healthy tips to incorporate into your 2013.  Getting healthy is all about making small changes, so each one of these tips is a quick easy thing you can do to live a healthier life in the new year.

1. Walk More: It turns out, sitting is really bad for us. It’s essential to get up on your feet everyday and in fact, doctors say we need to get at least 10,000 steps per day to maintain our weight and to promote physical fitness. Find sneaky ways to get more walking in, like moving around while you chat on the phone or taking an evening stroll.

2. Portion Control: We often eat much larger portions than we need to. A portion of meat should be the size of your fist, if you use butter it should be the size of the top of your thumb and half of your plate should always be filled with fruits and veggies. 

3. Find A Workout You Like: If the treadmill isn’t for you then don’t worry about it. If you find exercises you enjoy doing you’ll be more apt to keep it up, so whether it’s  dancing, a group exercise class or walking the dog, find something you like to do.

4. Pack Your Lunch: You’ll save calories and money…who doesn’t love that!

5. Sweat Every Day: Even if it is only for 10 minutes, break a sweat each day. Play with your kids, jump rope even play the Kinect…just do something to get the blood going. 

6. Eat An Apple A Day: This is one of the easiest ways to improve your eating habits…apples have tons of nutrients and belly slimming fiber plus they are so easy to eat on the go.

7. Try A New Workout: Switching up your regular routine will keep both you and your body from getting bored. Hit up yoga, Zumba a barre class or visit the new spinning studio.

8. Workout With A Friend: This tip will help you keep you workout appointments, plus spending time with friends is a great stress reliever.

9. Track Your Progress: There a so many apps and websites out there that help you keep track of weight loss or how many miles you’ve run , etc. I think tracking your progress is a great motivator because you can see how far you’ve come and you can see yourself getting closer to reaching your goals.

10. Eat Breakfast: People who eat breakfast weigh less than those who skip it. So grab a bowl of oatmeal or whole grain toast with peanut butter to get you going in the morning. 

11. Try A Food Journal: Oh, food journals are one of my favorite weight loss tools. It turn out that half a cookie I keep eating eventually adds up to two or three cookies and much to my dismay, those calories actually count. Writing down what you eat helps you get a handle on what you’re putting into your body.

 
12. Lay out your workout clothes at night: Make your life a little easier and put all your workout stuff (clothes, shoes, socks, iPod play list) together at night and you’ll have one less excuse not to hit the gym in the morning. 

13. Breathe: Stress is one of the worst things for our health…so in the new year, try to have less of it. Of course, life is bound to throw us crazy things, but if you take time to sit quietly and breathe each day, you’ll find yourself feeling calmer and more centered. 

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Filed under: body fitness health HS Magazine New Years Resolutions wellness workout 
January 4, 2013
PICK YOUR CURLING IRON LIKE A PRO

A GUIDE TO BREAKING DOWN BARREL SIZE AND MORE
Caitlin Murphy  01.04.2013   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

It’s a new year so it’s time to say goodbye to a few trends (wedge sneakers, yikes! and while we are on the subject, no more Gangam Style please)  and hello to new ones. (Look for bold stripes and peekaboo cutouts this Spring and Summer.) 

However, there are some looks which have transformed from mere trends into classic styles and perfect tousled waves are just that. This  hairstyle is oh-so-flattering on everyone, exudes effortless sex appeal and easily goes from day to night…so it is sure to be around for a long time.

Tousled waves are actually pretty easy to achieve, you just need to make sure you are working with the right tools. In search of a new curling iron for myself, I recently learned that picking the perfect iron can be rather overwhelming. There are so many to choose from, many different barrel sizes, options with or without clamps and each one offers different results. To make things a little easier, here is a quick guide to picking your perfect curling iron so you can nail down those sexy waves for 2013 and years to come. 

Barrel Size

  • Different the barrel size create different results so make sure you pick the right size. The bigger the barrel the larger the wave.
  •  1.5 -inch and 2-inch barrels are ideal for creating loose waves like you see on Gisele and Blake Lively. 
  • 1- inch and 3/4-inch barrels create tighter waves and curls with more definition. This iron can be ideal for defining already wavy or curly hair. 

Material

  • Ceramic and Tourmaline: This is the one the pros use since it’s the gentlest on your hair. Heat is evenly dispersed throughout the iron and tourmaline emits negative irons which close the hair shaft resulting in smoother waves with less frizz. If you curl your hair often invest in one of these.
  • Gold Titanium: Also good at conducting heat but won’t fight frizz.
  • Chrome: Least expensive, but not great for your hair and these irons are prone to hot spots.

Clamp versus Clamp-Free

  • Clamp: If you want to make sure you can do your hair quickly and you don’t want to have to master a new curling iron, then stick with the ones that have a clamp. They do a great job of creating waves and are the easiest to use. The drawback is you can control the size and shape of the wave, and sometimes you end up with kicks at the end of your hair.  
  • No Clamp: These irons don’t have a clamp, you simply wrap your hair around the wand and hold it for a few second. (Don’t worry, they come with a heat protection glove so you don’t burn you hands). The clam-free iron creates the most ideal beachy waves and even bouncy curls since it gives you lots of control over how tight you want the waves to be.  I think this iron creates the longest lasting results, and the clamp-free wand allows you to point the barrel upside down and get close to the roots, just like the pros!

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Filed under: beach waves Blake Lively clipless curling iron curling iron gisele hair HS Magazine waves 
December 20, 2012
SCORE DESIGNER DRESSES FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

TRY RENT THE RUNWAY AND SPORT THE SAME FABULOUS DRESSES AS CELEBS
Caitlin Murphy  12.20.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

Who doesn’t want to look totally dazzling at holiday and New Year’s parties? But, if you’re anything like me, and don’t have a closet stocked with red carpet dresses , then I am going to let you in on one of fashion’s greatest inventions…Rent The Runway.com.

My husband and I were recently invited to a black tie holiday gala, and while I was thrilled to get the opportunity to attend a fancy party, a quick look through my closet brought on a bit of a panic attack. Sure, I have plenty of jeans, cute skirts and day dresses, but even my absurd amount of sequins did not qualify as black tie worthy. 

I have a few friends who frequent gala events and swear by the website RentTheRunway so I thought I’d give it a try. 

Two fashionable Harvard MBA grads, Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss, started  Rent The Runway a few years ago. The website gives women acces to designer dresses to wear weddings, parties and graduations without having to shell out several dollars to buy a dress each time there is a new event to attend. Celebs have sported many of the looks including Carrie Underwood who wore this blue sequin dress.  

The process of renting a dress from RentTheRunway could not be easier and the results are fabulous! Simply visit the website and peruse the selection of hundreds of designer dresses including ones by  Zac Posen, Badgley Mischka and Monique Lhullier to name a few. You pick the dates you need the dress and instead of paying $300, $400 or $800 for a dress you pay a small rental fee of about $50 to $100. Sort by body type, occasion, style, trend and color to narrow down your choices. The selection is so extensive,  I enjoyed browsing for over two hours one evening in order to choose my dresses.

Once you make your selection you get to choose your size along with backup sizes and Rent The Runway offers great size and fit notes and my favorite feature…pictures of real women wearing the dress . I loved that I could make my selection based on a real bodies nas oppose to model figures.  While I was initially hesitant to order dresses over the internet, the comments and notes from real women are so detailed that my anxieties were put to rest.

I was so excited when the box finally arrived at my door, and right on time to boot. Open unzipping the garment bag, I read a note that said my backup sizes for the two dresses I had ordered were not available so Rent The Runway stylists added an extra dress they thought I would like. As it turns out, the stylists were 100% correct and I ended up wearing the extra dress to our event. 

The dress fit perfectly and was the ideal choice for the holiday party. When I returned home I simply zipped the dresses into the pre-paid package Rent The Runway sent me and dropped it in the mail. The whole process could not have been easier.     

With so many styles and options to choose from, RentTheRunway is a fun was to add extra glamour to your look this holiday season. 

(Image Credit: RentTheRunway.com)

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Filed under: fashion HS Magazine New Years Dresses new years rent the runway 
December 3, 2012
FOODS THAT AID IN DIGESTION

EAT YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Samantha Wilson  12.03.2012   |   SAMANTHA WILSON    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

Your digestive system is one the most important, but also sensitive, parts of your body. Every time you take a bite of food, your digestive system starts working. Stress, exhaustion, emotional problems, and lack of physical exercise can all affect your digestion. If you have a more sensitive digestive system, you know that this can cause bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and other abdominal issues. While probiotics are one of the best things you can take on a daily basis to keep your digestive system on track, there are also foods that you can introduce into your diet to aid in digestion.

Ginger – Ginger is one of my favorite items to help with digestive upsets. A bit of ginger every day will help keep your regular, as the herb almost acts as a natural laxative. I love to add ginger to my morning juice: Juice 3 carrots, 1 apple, 1 lemon and a quarter sized amount of ginger. It’s delicious and extremely alkalizing.

Lemon – Even though lemons are acidic, they actually have an alkalizing effect on the body. Lemons are a natural antiseptic so they help to remove toxins from the body and liver, helping the digestive process. Lemon juice also helps the digestive system break down food, which puts less stress on your digestive tract. The easiest way to add lemon to your diet is by squeezing a whole lemon in a glass of warm water, and drinking it first thing in the morning.

Spices – Coriander, paprika and cayenne pepper are excellent spices to add to your diet to help with digestion. These spices help increase salivation, and saliva helps to break down the foods you are trying to digest. They also act as a natural laxative, which can help with those dealing with constipation. Try making a tuna salad for lunch and adding cayenne pepper into your tuna mixture.

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Filed under: digestive health foods that help digestion ginger juicing porbiotics HS Magazine 
November 30, 2012
HOW TO HAVE A HEALTHY HAPPY HOLIDAYS

5 SIMPLE WAYS TO STAY SLIM AND STRESS FREE THIS SEASON
Caitlin Murphy  11.29.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

Party invitations going out out, lights are going up,  families are getting together and we can actually get away with wearing as many sequins and sparkles as our hearts delight. Yay!  It’s the holiday season and officially the most wonderful time of the year!

Now, can we all agree that those reasons to celebrate holiday cheer can also give us reasons to stress? Families, gifts, parties, and travel make for a very busy time of year,  so here are five ways to survive the holidays with your health in tact.

1. Stay Active: This means more than running from store to store trying to find the perfect gift for your in laws! Even though this is a crazy time of year,  do your best to keep your regular workout schedule going. Even if you can’t make it to the gym, go for a run or a power walk each day, it will keep your immune system up, and preserve your sanity and your waistline. 

2. Portion Control: Apple pie, party mix, mashed potatoes with butter, chocolate Santas and other holiday treats are tough to pass up…so don’t. I know that sounds a little counter intuitive, but don’t deprive yourself just watch your portions. This is a fun and festive time of year so indulge a little ( key word being a little), pick one treat, make it a really good one, and enjoy it guilt free. The danger comes when you over do it, so one cookie at a party will satisfy the craving and you won’t feel deprived or inclined to binge on that bowl of Chex mix.

3. Watch the Drinks: Office parties and time with relatives can sometimes mean you grab a few extra cocktails with dinner. Those liquid calories add up…quickly. Be very careful of mixed drinks like chocolate martinis and hot buttered rum , they are super high in calories. Go for  a glass of wine or light beer and keep it to one or two drinks. Also, those red Starbucks cups are a festive sign that the holidays are here, but when you order for your peppermint mocha ask for the skinny version..it’s only 100 calories!

4. De-Stress: This really is most wonderful time of the year, but things get stressful, so find time everyday to de-stress. Drink a cup of tea in peace and quiet (bonus points if it’s green tea with all those immune boosting antioxidants), go for a walk to see the lights or simply find time to breathe. You’d be surprised how frequently we hold our breathes and the act of taking deep, slow breaths can melt stress away. 

5. Sleep: If you want to avoid getting sick this season, get your zzz’s. Doing so can actually help you lose weight and it keeps that immune system in high gear. You’re busy, you deserve it!

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Filed under: holidays hs magazine weight loss wellness 
November 30, 2012
HOW TO ENJOY HOLIDAY FOOD WITHOUT THE WEIGHT GAIN

TEXAS PHYSICIAN DR. RUTHIE HARPER, MD SHARES HER TOP TIPS
Grace Gold  11.30.2012   |   GRACE GOLD    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

Statistics show that the average person gains 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and the New Year!

Yet Dr. Ruthie Harper, creator of SKINSHIFT, the first DNA-based skincare line and a renowned Texas-based physician known for her expertise in nutritional medicine, non-surgical aesthetic transformation and genetically based skincare, shares her tips on how to stay lean while celebrating the holidays with delicious foods. “While holiday meals are an important part of celebrating and enjoying friends and family, they do not need to lead to the weight gain and eventual health problems that follow along with it,” says Harper.

  • SKIP THE DINNER ROLLS- It is a common tradition to start a meal with dinner rolls; however, bread creates an immediate blood sugar spike, which leads to hunger and overeating when blood sugar levels come crashing down.Start each meal with protein instead as it ensures you won’t overeat because protein helps you feel full by stabilizing blood sugar.  Fortunately, holiday meals often contain turkey, a great source of protein, packing 32 grams in a four-ounce serving. This protein powerhouse is an essential part of maintaining your healthy weight during the holidays.
  • AMP UP THE VEGGIES- Green vegetables don’t have to be boring, and they most certainly do not have to be covered with cheese, cream or fried onions to be delicious. Instead, try this popular recipe; roast green beans with olive oil, lemon, garlic and almonds. Greens beans are rich in vitamins, mineral and antioxidants and are low in carbohydrates that can lead to weight gain when over consumed. They are filled with fiber, making them an ideal holiday vegetable to keep you full and lean! By adding fresh garlic, lemon and cooking them in olive oil they become both delicious and nutritious. Adding almonds gives them that extra crunch and adds heart healthy omega fats!
  • ELIMINATE EXCESS CARBOHYDRATES-Mashed potatoes are found on most holiday plates, usually prepared with butter, cream and milk. While mashed potatoes are certainly delicious, they are also enemy number one for holiday weight gain. As a substitute, make cauliflower mashed potatoes instead. There are an abundant number of recipes for this side dish, and most people can’t even tell the difference between the two. Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, two well know antioxidants, and replacing the potatoes with this delicious vegetable keeps blood sugar stable to prevent holiday weight gain.
  • CUT OUT THE ALCOHOL- (You knew this one was coming!) Holiday drinks can get quite elaborate and are usually filled with sugary ingredients. While they are delicious, they also provide a hidden source of excess calories that most people don’t consider during their holiday celebrations. You can still enjoy your holiday get together without adding extra calories and pounds to your waist line by opting for club soda mixed with a splash of pomegranate juice. Served in a tumbler, this refreshing beverage is rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
  • MAKE SMART DESSERT SWAPS- Many people are now staying away from wheat because they feel bloated and full after eating this grain or because they want to maintain their weight by reducing carbohydrate intake. You can still enjoy a slice of pie by replacing the wheat crust with a nut crust. Fill the crust with fresh apples sweetened with xylitol, a natural sweetener that does not raise blood sugar levels or lead to weight gain. Adding cinnamon further stabilizes blood sugar and allows the body to process the fruit more efficiently. For an added omega-3 health punch add some walnuts and enjoy this delicious desert!

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Filed under: diet tips dr ruthie harper food nutrition body HS Magazine 
November 21, 2012
ADD SOME SPARKLE TO YOUR STYLE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Caitlin Murphy
  11.21.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

The holidays are here, with plenty of parties to attend and reasons to get dressed up! You have the perfect outfit, to-die-for shoes and an amazing shade of red lipstick…all you need is the perfect hairstyle.

 This time of year we can get away with a little extra glitz and glamour so why not indulge with some beautiful, sparkly hair accessories . Hair bands and jeweled barrettes  are one of the easiest ways to to top off that perfect holiday look and work on all hair lengths and textures. Even if you’re not the most adept with styling your hair, you’ll love these accessories since they are simple and add a lot of wow factor. 

HAIRBANDS

I love this jeweled headband from Nordstrom in this festive, deep emerald color, the gold one from Anthropologie is perfect for adding some boho glamour, while the double crystal from Shopbop is perfect for the classic ladies.

 

HEAD WRAPS

Head wraps give you a lot of versatility since they can make a bold statement like the black satin or the jeweled head wrap. Both would look beautiful with soft waves and a little bit of natural texture.

 

BOBBY PINS

Jeweled bobby pins look gorgeous pinning back stands of short and long hair. You could add them into a messy bun or pin back bangs. Any way you style them these booby pins will add sparkle to your style, making you feel ideal for special occasions.

BARRETTES

If jeweled bobby pins aren’t qutie enough sparkle for you, then definitely give these barretts a try. Place on next to a low pony or messy bun. Or for a truly spectacular holiday style, add some old Hollywood glamour and  brush out large Rita Hayward curls and pin back one side of your hair with these barrettes. You’ll be the toast of every party! (crystal barrette, crystal bouquet clip, feather clips)

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Filed under: hair hair styles hairband holiday holiday hair HS Magazine crystal barrette crystal bouquet clip bobby pins headwraps hair bands nordstrom anthropologie 
November 15, 2012
HOLIDAY BEAUTY GIFT GUIDE

Caitlin Murphy
  11.15.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

The Perfect Gifts For the Beauty Mavens on Your List

 
What better way to make the holidays just a little more beautiful, than with some of the best beauty gifts. Everyone from  moms to daughter to sisters (and you!) will love everything on this list. 
 
Stila Lip Glaze Set: This is always in my Christmas stocking! Stila Lip Glazes are one of the best in the business, and with their glassy shine and gorgeous colors and only $25, you can’t go wrong. You’ll get eight different colored lip glosses with six limited edition colors and two of the bestselling shades. It’s a great way to try new shades  and the set of glosses will last you about year…just in time for the next holiday set!
 
 
Laura Mercier Deluxe Travel Brush Collection: Everyone loves and needs a great set of makeup brushes but sometimes it can be hard to justify  buying nice ones for yourself. So why not gift this super luxurious set to your mom or sister (or yourself… no judgement).   The sleek carrying case actually stands upright for each use on your vanity and the collection comes with everything necessary to create a flawless face. You’ll get five brushes but get this, four of them are double sided so you are really getting nine brushes for your cheeks, face, eyes are lips. It you bought each brush individally it would be $252 so how exciting is the $95 price tag?!?
 
 
Jewelry Box By Julep: Three words…Oprah’s Favorite Things! Yes even though the queen of all media is no longer doing her daytime show, Oprah has not deprived us of her favorite things. (Thank goodness!) This year Julep’s gorgeous nail polishes made this list, and I could not be happier. I consider myself lucky to live near the Julep parlors since they are by far the best manicures in the business. For the holidays, and Oprah, Julep put together a white laquer box with twelve beautiful toxin-free polishes. Colors include, hot pinks, watermelons, nudes and mint greens, just to name a few. 
 
Philosophy Home For the Holiday Set: Everytime I walk into Sephora I beeline it to the Philosophy display to smell their delectable body washes and shampoos. The scents are so indulgent and I have a hard time buying them for myself, so I think they make the perfect gift. This holiday season Philosophy put together a gift basket filled with body washes and lip shines like Sparkling Cranberry and Cinnamon Bun. At $38, I think this is perfect for the younger sister, daughter or cousin on your list.
 
 
Clarisonic Mia in Bordeaux: This is the must have skincare device in fall’s must have color. Beauty editors, celebs, dermatologists and aestheticians agree, the Clarisonic is a must have for anyone who wants beautiful skin. (That’s everyone, right?) It removes six times as much dirt and makeup as regular face washing, reduces dry skin, oil and blemishes and I swear I am seeing fewer wrinkles. At $150 it’s a bit of a splurge but something anyone on your list will love and thank you for for years to come!

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Filed under: clarisonic gift holiday HS Magazine laura mercier makeup philosophy stila 
November 12, 2012
GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT AT THE GROVE THIS WEEKEND!

Christina Marrale
  11.12.2012   |   CHRISTINA MARRALE    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

THE HOTSPOT

The countdown is on until the start of the holiday season, and though most may have already started their shopping, in Los Angeles, the official kickoff to the season doesn’t begin until the tree lighting ceremony in LA’s popular tourism and shopping attraction, The Grove. Sponsored by: The Hobbit, Cadillac and the Los Angeles Times, this ceremony has become a Southern California tradition since it was first held in 2002, the year the Grove at Farmer’s Market opened! And not only does the ceremony get all attendee’s in the holiday state of mind, it actually marks the kickoff of the Los Angeles chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation‘s annual “Season of Wishes” campaign.

 THE SCHEDULE

Beginning at 7:30pm – 9:30pm, cozy up to your loved ones and enjoy performances by: Backstreet Boys, Colbie Caillet, Scotty McCreery, Philip Phillips, Michael Bolton with Melanie Fiona, Far East Movement, Rickey Minor and His Band and DJ JibbJock! Holiday music, Santa’s workshop and other fun treats will finally be open for the public to enjoy. After all of the performances the tree lighting is capped off by a real California snowfall and fireworks!

Afterwards, get your shopping on and hit some of The Grove’s exclusive stores, including Nordstrom, Crate and Barrel, Zara, Apple and more! Don’t forget to stop and grab a sweet holiday treat at the newly opened Dylan’s Candy Bar and pop into Santa’s Workshop to get your holiday wishes in early. With all this excitement happening there this weekend, it’s certainly a sure fire way to get into the holiday spirit!

GUESTLIST:

This type of event doesn’t just draw in the local LA crowd, many from all over come to see this spectacular event.

EXTRA DETAILS

Be sure to arrive early, as this popular event will be filled to the max come 7:30.

The Grove is located at: 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles CA 90036   

Telephone: 323.900.8080

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Filed under: apple backstreet boys colbie caillet crate and barrel far east movement michael bolton melanie fiona nordstrom phillip phillips scotty mccreery HS Magazine 
November 8, 2012
EMBELLISHED COLLARS ADD PANACHE TO EVERY OUTFIT

Caitlin Murphy
  11.08.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

These Necklaces Are A Must Have For Fall 

Opulence is the name of the game this fall with brocade, leather and jewel tones dominating this season’s must have fashions. One of the best ways to up the ante of any outfit is with the jeweled collar, and as someone who can’t pass up sparkly statement jewelry, I am obsessed with this must have trend.

Making your wardrobe staples multitask is essential for budget babes and big spenders alike. So how could you not love a simple necklace that transform even a sweatshirt  from pedestrian into a major wow moment. 

Designers have been adding embellished collars and studded lapels to dresses and blouses for a few seasons, but this year it’s all about the stand alone jeweled collar. Think of it as the statement necklace’s younger sister that adds versatility and sophisticates to any item you have in your closet. 

You’ll find different shapes like peter pan collars, traditional pointed collars and bib collars. Pair them will a plain white tee, wool sweaters, blouses or dresses and the best part of that you can find this trend at any price point! 

Take your pick of jeweled collars like these from Topshop and Zara and Kate Spade

 

Metal Collars look add an architectural touch to any outfit. These are from Asos and Forever 21

 

Collar necklaces come in so many different mediums like colored crystals, pearls and mixed metals. 

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Filed under: Accessories ASOS fall 2012 fall fashion fashion HS Magazine kate spade topshop zara 
November 5, 2012
HAVE A HEALTHY THANKSGIVING

WAISTLINE SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR THE FAMILY THANKSGIVING FEAST
Joanna Wilkinson  11.05.2012   |   JOANNA WILKINSON    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

While you’re home with the family during the Thanksgiving holiday, it can be easy to fall back in the habits you had as a kid.  A dangerous one is to eat like you’re still a child,  something about mom’s food makes us think that we’re allowed to eat all we want without consequences.  Here is a few tips to minimize the damage…

Ways to keep your activity level up during the Thanksgiving festivities:

1. Steer clear of the football games on television and throw yourself into the mix with your male cousins tossing the football around outside. Show them who the real star athlete of the family is. 

2. Take a walk with a relative between the main course and dessert. Catch up with what’s going on in your family’s life and give your body a fat-burning boost.  

3. Offer to do the dishes at the end of the meal. You’ll keep your body moving and burn some calories, but even better, you’ll be doing something helpful on Thanksgiving. 

Ways to keep the calorie counter in an acceptable range:

1. Load your plate up with greens and vegetables; salad, corn, carrots, squash, green beans, and peas are your best bet. They are the only ‘good carbs’ in the whole spread.  They will fill you up and keep you away from eating pigs in the blanket and being a pig in the blanket later on.  

2. Try to avoid the dreaded casseroles. They are loaded with creams and sugars. They may be delicious, but they are one of the fastest ways to a Thanksgiving meal full of resentment.

3. Protein, protein, protein! Whether it’s turkey, ham, chicken, or the oh-so-popular, turducken… protein will give your body energy to avoid the post-dinner food coma.

4. Put your fork down in between bites as you eat.  Not only will you look like you went to finishing school; your body will have enough time to tell your brain that you’re full.  

5. Avoid the glass of wine that turns into the sixth and seventh, that turns into crying on your great aunt’s shoulder when you sob about how much you miss your ex-boyfriend

 Above all, be thankful of the body, health, and vitality that you do have this Thanksgiving.  You don’t have to wait until New Year’s Eve to make resolutions.  You can start to eat healthy anytime, so START TODAY!

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Filed under: diet health thanksgiving feast wellness HS Magazine 
November 1, 2012
HOW TO MAKE A HOME GYM

Caitlin Murphy
  11.01.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

5 Pieces Fitness Equipment That Give You Gym Worthy Results At Home

It’s official…cold, wet weather is here to stay, so going for a run outside is definitely less inciting. We are also entering the start of the holiday season which means lots of candy, cookies, cocktails and a bevy of other delicious treats. This combo can be a little dangerous for our waistlines.

Well never fear, because we’ve complied a list of items that will transform your living room into a results ready gym. 

This means no excuses since having a home gym means you can workout in your pj’s, without having to brave the bad weather, all while catching up on your favorite television shows. Having a home gym is also great because you can complete your workouts in the time it takes to drive to the gym. Plus, working out at home is way less expensive than paying those monthly gym membership fees.

Here are 5 pieces of fitness equipment that will give you gym quality workouts and results at home.  You can get all five or just pick up one or two.

 

1. TRX Suspension Trainer: This strap with handles secures to a door and allows you to do thousands of different muscles toning and calorie burning exercises. A Navy Seal created it, and now professional athletes and celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Scarlett Johansson swear by the TRX to keep them in tip top shape. You can make the workouts as challenging or as modified as you want and the TRX comes with a training DVD so you can learn how to use it. 

 

2. Stability Ball: Lay on the ball for pushups, lean against it for wall squats or sit on it for shoulder presses, it really is fabulous for  tons of different exercises. The stability ball creates an unstable surface so your muscles are working harder to do simple exercises like a crunches or lunges. 

 

3. Jumprope.: Let me just say this…jumping rope burns 10 calories a minute!  It’s simple, easy, effective cardio in a hurry. Plus you can jumprope anywhere!

 

4. Bodylastics Resistance Bands: Resistance bands are a great compliment or alternative to dumbbells for strength training work. This set allows you to vary the levels of resistance so you can constantly challenge your muscles and it comes with a door attachment for even more exercises. The bands are well made so you don’t have to worry about them snapping a breaking.

 

5. Dumbbells: Dumbbells are perfect for any home gym. They are affordable, don’t take up much space and allow you to do many different exercises for each part of your body. For home, I like a set that is covered in vinyl or form so that they don’t scratch the floor.

Here’s to many happy at home workouts!

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Filed under: body hs magazine trx trx suspension wellness workout 
October 25, 2012
STOP DRY SKIN BEFORE IT STARTS

Caitlin Murphy
  10.25.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

4 Steps To Banish Dull, Flakey Skin

1. Watch Your Water Temperature: When temperatures dip and cold weather sets in, nothing feels better after a long day than jumping in a super hot shower. However, all that hot steamy water can can wreak havoc on your skin, since hot  showers strip your skin of natural oils which ends creating a painful, dry and flakey situation. To compensate for a lower water temperature, I always turn on the bathroom  heater so it’s warm when I step out. 

2. Exfoliate Your Entire Body: Just because it isn’t shorts and tank top season doesn’t mean you should stop exfoliating. In fact, just the opposite is true. Since we’re all layered up in coats, pants, scarves and tall boots, our skin doesn’t have the chance to breathe as much and dead skin tends to, for lack of a better word, stick around. It’s important to keep exfoliating your entire body to help your skin rejuvenate and keep its appearance smooth and youthful. Try the Lemon+Sage Body Scrub from Bliss before your shower or St. Ives Oatmeal/Shea Butter Body Polishduring your shower.

3. Moisturize the right way:When in comes to the cooler months, the rule is…thicker the moisturizer the better. Pick body butter and creme formulas or try a body oil. Apply you moisturizer before bed; it will sink in overnight and you’ll wake up with soft, smooth beautiful skin. Shea butters are fabulous, try L-Occtaine Ultra Rich Body Cream Rich in Shea Butter or try a body oil like Fresh’s Sugar Body Oil. 

4. Try A Humidifier: Heaters and winter weather take moisture out of the air as oppose to summertime humidity which keeps the air thick with moisture. If you feel like your skin is getting extremely dry, try adding a humidifier to your room or office. 

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Filed under: body oil body scrub dry skin exfoliate exfoliation fall skin care HS Magazine 
October 18, 2012
YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE…WEIGHT THAT IS

Caitlin Murphy
  10.18.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

 5 Tips To Get A Good Night’s Sleep And Lose More Weight

Want to know the easiest way to lose weight…don’t get out of bed. Ok, well that’s not exactly what I mean, but getting enough sleep has been shown to help you lose weight. So if you’re eating right and exercising but you still can’t lose those last 10 pounds, you might just be a good night’s sleep away from your skinny jeans. 

According to a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, participants decreased their caloric intake for two weeks. One group got 5.5 hours of sleep per night while the other group got 8.5 hours of sleep per night. At the end of the two weeks, the group who got 8.5 hours of sleep lost more body fat than the group who got less sleep. Sleep deprivation slows down your body’s metabolism, it disrupts certain hormone levels and it causes you to eat more and move less during the day. 

To stay healthy and keep the weight off, aim for 7-8 hours of good quality sleep. In the name of your health, wellness and waistline, here are 5 tips to help you get more shut eye…

1. Get on a regular sleep-wake cycle. Our bodies like to be efficient, so a regular sleep schedule is essential to good health and an efficient metabolism. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday…even on the weekends. You’ll find your body will get into a rhythm and soon you won’t even need an alarm clock!

2. No caffeine after 3pm. This one is admittedly a toughie, especially as the days get shorter and a pumpkin spice latte is all that gets you to five o’clock. Caffeine can stay in your system for six or even up to twelve hours, so if you don’t want to risk being up until 3 am watching infomercials, try to limit your caffeine consumption to the am. 

3. Put your iPhone, iPad, Kindle, etc. away. I admit it, I have a really bad habit of checking Twitter, Facebook, People Magazine and Instagram right before I go to bed. The problem with this (along with confirming my unhealthy addition to technology) is that the light from computer, TV and smartphone screens prevents your body from producing Melatonin, a hormone that tells your body it’s time to sleep. Melatonin is essential for regulating the sleep-wake cycle and is suppressed by light…so put the phones and tablets down before bed to get a good night’s sleep!

4.Make your room as dark as possible. You have the best chance of getting quality sleep if your room is as dark as possible. Buy blackout shades, and even think about replacing your digital alarm clock with one that doesn’t put out any light. 

5. Get a sound machine. I live in the city, and one of the best investments I ever made for my sleep and my sanity was a sound machine. The white noise drowns out the motorcycles, traffic and weekend revelry, so I sleep as though I’m at a mountain retreat. The great bonus about the sounds machine is the sort of Pavlov’s Dog reaction I have…within 5 minutes of turning it on, I’m sound asleep!

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Filed under: HS Magazine weight loss wellness 
October 11, 2012
SASSOON SALON LAUNCHES FALL STYLE AND COLOR COLLECTION

Caitlin Murphy
  10.11.2012   |   CAITLIN MURPHY    |   LEAVE A COMMENT
    

New Looks Showcase The Season’s Hottest Trends

When that fall chill hits the air, it’s not only time to update your wardrobe…it’s also time to update your hair. Your breezy summer schedule is gone, so it’s the perfect time to sport deeper shades and more fashion forward styles. Enter Vidal’s Sassoon’s new collection of hair colors and cuts…HAIR!.

Sassoon Salon is best known for their precision cuts- especially the impeccable bobs and shorter styles- but this fall and winter is a bit of a departure, with longer layers and even curly styles. Sassoon Creative Director Mark Hayes has drawn inspiration from the “hippie-chic” 60′s, creating a modern version of bohemian beauty.

 “We have created a confident free-spirited feeling for hair that taps into an era where anything and everything seemed possible,” says Mark Hayes, International Creative Director.

Boho braids, super sleek ponytails, and low chignons are big this fall, and look best with a base of long layers. Sassoon has perfected creating invisible layers and this fall they are showcasing disconnected paneling giving hair sexy texture and movement when styled up or down. “The overall movement is free-flowing and rhythmic, a super soft feminine look with maximum shine,” explains North American Creative Director, Traci Sakosits.

Bold blunt bangs are also a big fall trend and no one does blunt with more perfection than Vidal Sassoon. Make sure the rest of your hair has movement to keep the style from looking too severe. After all, this fall’s blunt bangs look modern when paired with long layers.  Jessica Biel is the perfect celebrity inspiration for this style.

 As far as color, we all need an update when the seasons change. Color needs a little bit of an oomph, and this fall is all about deep chocolate browns and rich crimsons along with multifaceted blondes. Natural looking blonde is a tough thing to do well, and Sassoon paints slices of color and tones to create this season’s rich “born-with-it” blonde.  “Blonde is an aspirational color, but it has to be believable,” says North American Color Director, Richie Rivera. “We have used multi-tones that look natural and create the illusion of thicker hair. ” This fall it’s important to tone down lighter blonde to a richer honey shade for a more sophisticated look. Brunettes and redheads should add multi-tonal shades to create rich, multi diminutional color with loads of shine and sex appeal.

There’s still discussion is style circles as to whether ombre hair is in or out. Women love wearing it and fashionistas like  Kate Beckinsale and Poppy Delevigne are still making it look beautiful. Here is the thing, if you’re going to do ombre you have to do it right. Sassoon is known for the time and expertise they put into creating coloring and cutting techniques, and they have also recently devised the perfect approach to ombre, so you know you;re hair is in the best hands!

Sassoon Salon’s new collection is called HAIR and you can find the salon closet to you at sassoon.com

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Filed under: celebrity hair fall 2012 hair hair color hair style HS Magazine Jessica Biel ombre hair Sassoon Salon vidal sassoon 
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