Love these hot pink biker shorts!

DETAILS: PINK SHORTS (SIMILAR HERE UNDER $40) | ZIP-UP HOODIE | BLACK SPORTS BRA | NIKE SNEAKERS | JUMP ROPE | YOGA MAT

This year, instead of setting grand, lofty goals and New Years Resolutions, I realized that I respond better to smaller targets that I can cross off my to-do list every day, so instead of setting year-long resolutions I set mini, specific goals that I can hit daily. For January, instead of cutting out sugar entirely or committing to running 500 miles this year, I decided to commit to small things like drinking a half gallon of water and jump rope every day this month. I’ve honestly already missed a couple days but it’s nightttt and day difference to the minimal water I was doing before. It’s ok if we’re not perfect but I already notice the changes.

I love being able to check it off my list and it gives you momentum to keep it up, which I fully believe is one of the biggest forces that keep us progressing. That momentum of doing something, even something small, adds up to reaching a big goal. Have you guys ever tried hitting smaller goals instead of going big every year? What do you think!

XX, Christine

The post If You Struggle To Hit Your Goals, Try This Instead appeared first on Hello Fashion.

FAMILY SQUATS:

I hold ollie in the front and Cody throws Beckam on his back for a little extra weight.  My legs are still burning from the other day haha.

FAMILY PUSH UPS.

I’m a push up wimp so I do as many as I can on my feet and then move to my knees. Cody does some max reps with all of us on his back, it’s pretty funny.  I have no idea how he does it!

My kind of push-ups, haha.

COUPLE JUMP ROPING:

We go until we can do the full alphabet together. If we mess up – we start over and try to do a couple sets of the alphabet.

ARM BURNOUT:

Lift kids above your head, I very lightly toss Ollie in the air – he loves it and it gives your arm a good work out. I do as many as as I can until my arms burn out and I can’t do more.

DETAILS: PINK SPORTS BRA (ON SALE UNDER $30 – ALSO GOT THIS WHITE ONE) | PINK STRIPE LEGGINGS (ON SALE) | NIKE RUNNING SHOES (ON SALE)

When it comes to working out I usually go for a cute legging like these pink stripe ones (so cute on)! When I’m home I usually just work out in a sports bra and leggings. I love this one because it is really form-fitting so it’s great support for all kinds of workouts. Also got this one (love) and these running shoes- the neon pink and yellow accents are so bright and fun!

Obsessed with these sneakers!

CODY: MEN GREY STRIPED SOCKS (ON SALE)| MEN’S NIKE TEE (ON SALE – ALSO GOT IT IN BLACK) | NIKE SHORTS (ON SALE – ALSO LOVE THESE ) | SNEAKERS (ON SALE)

Cody needed some fresh socks and I loved these grey striped ones, they pair really great with these shoes we found. These Nike tees come in five different colors- he’s wearing the grey but we also got this black one as well. These are super basic and easy to wear with a pair of black shorts like these.

BECKAM: BOYS GREY TRACK SET (ON SALE) | KIDS AIRMAX’S (ON SALE)

When I saw this track set for Beckam I was dying over it and knew I had to get it for him! I love the price of it too it’s under $30 and the material is super thin so he can wear it in the summer and not get too hot. I also found these little white airmax’s to pair with the track set (why are kids shoes so much cuter)!

WORKOUT RECOVERY ACCESSORIES: MARBLE FOAM ROLLER (ON SALE) | RECOVERY ROLLER (ON SALE)

I feel like recovery is such an important part of any workout. Not recovery can lead to injury or soreness to wear its hard to consistently workout. I love this marble foam roller to target any large areas like your hamstrings or back.

What are your favorite clothes to workout in? I linked some other items on my order below and you can find other past family workout looks here and here.

xx, Christine

The post Easy Family Home Work Outs appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Obsessed with these pants! I have them in a couple colors they are my go to all time favorites!! The seamless ankle makes them really comfortable. 

DETAILS: WHITE MESH TANK (COMES IN 5 COLORS) | WHITE SPORTS BRA | SAGE LEGGINGS (ALSO GOT THESE IN BLACK)

Now that I finally have some more energy, I’ve been a lot better about regular exercise. I’m the type that’s overly cautious and I’ve researched what kind of exercise is ok during pregnancy and what to stay away from, so running has become one of my go to pregnancy workouts. Now my version of running while pregnant is probably about half the speed of normal runners 😉 and I value a pretty scenic route to make running more enjoyable!

I just got some new lululemon pieces from their running collection. You guys know how much I love my Fast and Frees – I wear the black ones a minimum of 3 times a week, for errands, working out, whatever. They have side pockets for your phone which I love and a seamless ankle which makes them really comfortable. I seriously swear by these pants!!  I was excited to get them in another color (these are grey sage – so pretty!) Also got this cropped version here which comes in 10 colors. A few other things I added: this mesh tank (comes in 5 colors and I might need them all!) and this sports bra (insanely comfortable – so supportive! I have it in another color and loved the white!)

There are so many benefits of running so I wanted to share 10 reasons to run!

1. Cardio: Running is obviously one of the best forms of cardio – it burns calories, strengthens your core, and seriously helps your heart health.
2. The Runner’s High: Running releases dopamine, the chemical that’s known as the ‘feel good hormone’, so it really can make you happy.
3. Alone time: Honestly, even if you are running with a friend, running is always a time to clear your head and gives you time to think through and process things that may have been on the back-burner for a while.
4. Friend time: And of course on the flip side, if you prefer working out with a friend, your runs will be a great way to spend time together that you might not be able to fit in elsewhere during the day.
5. Something to be proud of: There’s nothing more rewarding than the feeling of pushing yourself and eventually reaching your goals, whether that’s pushing yourself to go farther, faster, or just being consistent in your runs.
6. Fresh air: Running outdoors can be an experience in and of itself, whether you like the thrill of running through a busy city or the peace of a quiet trail run. lululemon actually has a global running club (the Strava App) that lets you find local run routes if you’re not sure where to start (also priceless when you are traveling and not familiar with the area!). It also lets you connect with other runners and helps you track your progress – such a great tool!
7. Helps flush your emotions: You guys have heard me talk about my foot zoner, and one really interesting thing she told me was how important exercise is for our emotional health. Getting your blood pumping for 30 minutes a day will help you flush out all kinds of emotions that your body has already processed and doesn’t want to hold on to anymore. 
8. Easier, Faster Labors: Throwing this one in for those fellow pregnant mamas, but exercising during pregnancy makes a huge impact on your deliveries and postpartum! (Note to add, if you’re not much of a runner before you get pregnant, you might want to build strength in other ways. 🙂

Below are a few more lululemon pieces that are perfect for running:

XX, Christine
*In collaboration with lululemon and ShopStyle.

The post 8 Reasons To Run appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: 1 – LIP SLEEP MASK | 2 – LANCOME ABSOLUE LINE | 3 – SWEATER | 4 – SNEAKERS | 5 – BLANKET | 6 – CORDLESS VACUUM | 7 – WORK/MOM BAG | 8 – PLANNER | 9 – SHEET MASK | 10 – PAJAMAS | 11 – CARDIGAN | 12 – NEW BOOK | 13 – BASKET

Happppppy New Year!  I know I am a little late on this post, but after taking a couple weeks off I am feeling totally refreshed and ready to get going full force into the new year!  I wanted to share some of my favorite items I have been loving already in 2019.  These are all items I have been using and loving to help keep me feeling organized, happy, uplifted and like my very best. We moved into our new house yesterday and I couldn’t be happier about it!

I shared this lip mask like a week ago on my insta stories – its seriously one of my new favorites!  Its a sleep mask for your lips, but I carry mine around with me all day and use it as chapstick.  I’m obsessed!

You probably saw last week I went to Napa with the amazing Lancome team and got to try out their new Absolue skin care line.  The new line is amazing!  I will be sharing a full blog post on my trip soon but had to include the line as one of my recent favorites.

I am still living in these Adidas UltraBoost tennis shoes. They are soooo comfy and I love all of the colors they come in!  I will definitely be wearing these to help with one of my resolutions to be more active!

This cozy blanket and cordless vacuum are for the new house! You can never have too many cozy blankets around the house 🙂 And after hearing so much about these cordless vacuums I finally ordered one and I can’t wait to see what all the hype is about!

You’ve seen me wearing this bag a few times now – its seriously the best!  I love that you can put your monogram on it and customize the size and color of it…its just all around the perfect size to use as a work bag for your laptop, notebook, etc or just as an everyday mom bag that holds all your stuff for running around.

Cody got me this planner for Christmas and it was the best gift!  Its so simple and functional and I love that I can break out my schedule hour by hour to help keep me on track. It comes in a bunch of colors!

One of my most asked about topics is definitely skin care and I am so excited to share more skin care related posts this year!  These sheet masks are 100% one of my favorite products that I am using lately. If you feel like you don’t have time for sheet masks…there’s always a way to make time!  I will wear them when I am getting stuff done around the house or even just blow drying my hair. Gotta multi task to get that beauty time in 🙂

I have been wearing this cozy cardigan so much recently and gotten a lot of questions about it so I wanted to share it asap! It is the same fabric they make their robes in so it feels like you’re literally wearing a robe, but its a cardigan so its cute and acceptable to wear out in public 😉

Baskets!!! One of my major goals for the new year is just to keep our new house looking new and keep it organized and as tidy as possible. With 3 kids and a dog this isn’t always easy – so one of my favorite tricks is to have a bunch of cute baskets like this around around the house to toss their toys and blankets in when we aren’t using them.

What’s inspiring you for this new year?!  Would love to hear your favorites!  Hope you all have been having a great 2019 so far!

Also!! I am soooo honored to be nominated for best family account for the LiketoKnow.it awards!  It would mean so much to me if you could take a quick minute to vote for our family!❤️ You can vote here 🙂

THANK YOU so much for your support over the years!! Love you all!

XX,

Christine

The post New Year Inspo – What I’m loving so far in 2019! appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Obsessed with my new shoes! They are so comfy and come in lots of cute colors.

Love the detail on this cropped sweatshirt and the cowl neck! Its on sale right now too, 30% off!

DETAILS: SHOES | PANTS | SWEATSHIRT

Hey hey hey! Hope you guys all had a good Christmas, our kids were wiped out with colds and fevers so it was a super mellow Christmas, poor kiddos. I haven’t posted a whole lot lately, been enjoying time off with the family, so I thought I would do a catch up post with what we have been up to lately.

1. We got C of O  on our new house!! There is still a lot of random details that need to be done, so we decided to wait until everything is 100% done to move in so we don’t have a bunch of contractors in and out once we move in. We talked to a lot of our friends and family who had moved in before it was totally done and said it’s really stressful so as anxious as I am we decided to wait 🙂 So it’s looking like mid January right now, which actually kind of works out good cause our couch comes around same time 🙂
2. We have been packing up our house and I am so thankful we got rid of so much stuff when we moved last time, but holy cow it’s crazy how easy it is to accumulate random junk. Both Cody and I really want to try and minimize our lives as much as possible when we move so we don’t have the clutter and junk.
3. I haven’t bought a ton of new clothes lately (been mostly getting new home decor stuff), but I did get some new work out clothes, because, well I just love comfy clothes. These sneakers I’m obsessed with, they come in lots of colors and they are probably my most comfortable shoe! I had them in two colors in the older styles and wore them out so I just got new ones a couple weeks ago. I also got this cute Adidas sweatshirt . I love the slouchy neck on it and it’s on major sale right now at Finish line (under $50)! They have so much cute Adidas stuff right now. I also ordered these pink Ultra boosts that are on sale.
4. Cody got me this really cool planner for Christmas, and it has you evaluate your day, week, and month in every aspect from personal, business, family, taking time for yourself, ect. I was listening to a podcast by the guy who wrote it and it was talking about how you are only effective for 50 minute periods. So he sets alarms on his phone to go off every 50 minutes when he’s working, to stand up walk around and take a quick break. Even if he is writing a book, and in the middle of a thought, he takes a break when the timer goes off.
5. I’ve been doing the celery juice challenge (drinking 16oz of celery juice every morning on an empty stomach) for a little over 2 weeks, I missed 2 or 3 days in there with the holidays,but I feel like it’s helped my skin a lot. Especially my eczema. I get little patches on my hand and leg during the winter because it’s so dry in Utah, and it completely cleared up with out any medicine or creams since I’ve been drinking celery juice. I also feel like it was just a good overall cleanse. I haven’t noticed a ton of other differences, they say it helps with brain fog, clarity, energy, and lots of other things. Maybe a little more clarity, but overall I don’t know if it’s a placebo effect I just feel a little more healthier drinking it 🙂

The post Life Lately + My Favorite Shoes for the New Year appeared first on Hello Fashion.

OUTFIT DETAILS:  SWEATSHIRT (Under $25!) | PANTS (Under $15!) | SUNGLASSES | BOOTS

Happy Sunday!  Hope you all had a great week. I’m excited to answer some questions this week – you guys send in the best questions!  I get a lot about being a step mom and the fertility journey so I made sure to include some of those below. 🙂

1. How often do you see your step kids?
We share custody with their mom, but she has primary custody. Its nice because we live close to each other so now that they are in sports and stuff we still get to go to their games and school activities and see them even on the days that we don’t have them.

2. Favorite TV shows right now?
We watch The Office or Seinfeld every night before we go to bed when we don’t have a series that we are in to. Or just to shut off for the night if we are watching an intense series. We just got into Designated Survivor which we love. We finished Ozarks last month which was so good! (This is an adult show so if you’re a younger reader I would stay away 😉

3. How do you stay so thin?
Because of my genetics I am naturally thin but if I’m not working out or being active I loose muscle fast and feel soft and kind of bloated haha I don’t really know how to explain it.  I workout to stay toned and because I love the way it makes me feel. It give me more energy for sure and helps with stress.

4. Do you follow a strict diet? Or if you want something do you let yourself have it?
I for sure indulge and let myself have it!  I will try different things like cutting sugars or not eating as much processed food or soda but as much as I wish I could, I can’t stick with those diets for too long so I try to set short term goals for myself. 

5. What are your favorite makeup products these days?  Favorite eyeshadow?
My favorite eyeshadow right now is this palette I just got from Bobbi Brown – its so pretty! Other products I am loving lately are: this bronzer, this mascara, this primer, this eyeliner, this foundation, and this brow pencil! **And good news!! Sephora is having their Beauty Insider sale right now…everything is 15% off through Monday! Time to stock up 🙂

6. How is your infertility journey going? What are your next steps?
We got some answers from the doctor last week and I’ll be sharing more soon – thanks for all of your sweet messages and notes it really means so much to me. ❤️

7. Favorite store to buy nice shoes?
Saks definitely has one of the best Designer shoe selections. I am pretty loyal to Nordstrom so I look there a lot too but their styles are more mainstream if that’s what you are looking for! Net-a-Porter and SSense have more unique styles.

8. What happens to all the clothes you model. Do you keep them? Are they loaned?
97% are either gifted or I buy them, on a rare occasion for really expensive jewelry where I have worn multiple pieces for a post they can be loaned to style shoots. A majority of the clothes are mine and the clothes I don’t keep I give to my friends and family. I will sell the higher end pieces and do blogger sales. I donate a lot to charity and I give a lot to my family’s church in Montana where they donate to foster kids that don’t have clothes.

9. Your favorite wardrobe staples?
For fall & winter, when it gets really cold I don’t get ready as much because I hate being cold!! So to be honest I am in sweats and comfy clothes a lot.  I recently got this new fuzzy hoodie and love this jacket and this pink corduroy jacket.

I think its worth investing in a nice handbag but thats always relative to your budget, don’t make yourself go broke over it!  Pick something that is timeless – pick something that is a neutral color. Buy one bag that is nicer that can work with multiple outfits instead of 5 cheaper ones. My favorite designer bag is this one. 

I found a tan suede bootie after my hunt last week! A couple of you actually emailed me and it was so sweet!  I have had them on repeat this week. I also just got this pair in the mail and I love love them!!

And lastly, a comfy pair of distressed jeans will always be one of my wardrobe staples. The pair I definitely wear the most and am most asked about are these.  

10. How did you feel about becoming a step mom?
It was never an issue to be a step mom because my parents got divorced when I was little and my step mom was always so great to me. She was such a good example and I grew up with a loving step mom so that really helped me when I became one. She always treated me with so much love that I was excited to be a step mom too 🙂 I’m not saying it isn’t hard, with any situation there are always hard emotions you have to navigate through. But the idea of being a step mom was never hard for me! Even if you didn’t have a step mom growing up it doesn’t mean you cant be a great step mom! I can’t imaging our family without Mara and Wes and I made a conscious decision early on to treat them as if they are my own. Go in with a mentality that you don’t want to replace their mom but that you will love them and treat them as your own.

11. What’s Cody’s profession?
He’s an entrepreneur and runs and manages couple different companies. 

12. How do you deal with mom guilt especially when traveling without Beckam?
Its definitely hard, but my parents live out of town and so I look at it as a good opportunity for them to watch Beckam and spend time with him – they usually come to town to watch him or he goes up to Montana to stay with them. He loves being in Montana and I love that he gets one on one time with them.  Some times are harder than others but I am always excited and re-energized to come home and be the best mom to him I can be!

13. How tall are you and Cody? 
Cody is 6’3” and I’m 5’7” and 3/4…I like to claim 5’8” 😉

Thanks for sending such great questions and following along.  Love you all!

Xx,
Christine

The post Catch up with Christine: Favorite Makeup, Being a Stepmom, and Staple Fashion Buys appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: OLAY CLEANSING INFUSIONS | WHITE SWIMSUIT (SIMILAR HERE)

Last month I shared some of my skincare essentials to get your skin ready for spring (full post here). So I wanted to share a follow it up with the essentials you should be doing now to get your skin ready ready for swimsuit season!

1. Your full-body skincare routine: The first thing people see during bikini season is your beautiful skin, so start giving it some TLC! Get that flawless skin started now by exfoliating regularly, detoxing, and sealing in that moisture. I read about citrus baths as a way to help get rid of toxins and even out skin tone – it’s also a great mood-booster. For moisturizing, Olay just launched their Cleansing Infusions collection and the products are clinically proven to make your skin radiant and give it a glow. My skin always dries out so much during the summer (especially here in Utah) so I love any product that’s hydrating and the Cleansing Infusions lock in so much moisture. There are two scents and they both smell sooo good – you guys have to try them and tell me what you think! You can order them here or also pick them up in-store at Ulta.
2. Protecting your skin: Protect, protect, protect! I have become such a fanatic about skincare. I used to never wear sunscreen but now that I have gotten older and learned all the issues and havoc sun damage causes on your skin, I don’t leave the house without it! I use the Olay Whip moisturizer in the morning which has SPF before I put on my foundation. I also keep a bottle of the Kate Somerville SPF 50 setting spray in my bag so if we are spending a long time in the sun or playing in the water, I can quickly spray my face to make sure it’s still protected but not mess up my makeup. Protect your skin now to help prevent issues in the future. 🙂
3. Bronze up! Even though I am wearing high SPF I still like to look tan! Anyone else? I am naturally a little dark (I’m Colombian) but I also use self-tanner, especially on my face. These oil drops you mix with your moisturizer are my favorite. They don’t make you look orangey or streaky. It says to put a moisturizer on after you apply, but I found it goes on more smoothly if I mix it with my moisturizer.
4. Your fitness routine or new healthy eating habits. They say you start to see changes in your body within 4 weeks of starting a new healthy eating or fitness regimen, and others start to notice after 8 weeks. That means now is the time to start hitting it hard at the gym or to cut out those foods you’ve been having second thoughts about. I know it’s so hard to stay motivated – at least for me it is at times – so have a friend join the challenge and plan fun rewards when you guys complete each week. Maybe it’s a girls’ dinner or pedicures, just something to help keep you motivated. Don’t forget to take progress pics! Sometimes you forget how much you’ve improved until you look back!
5. Practicing self-love. At the end of the day, what stands out most during swimsuit season is confidence. Whatever size you wear, or however dark or non-existent your tan, what is most beautiful is your own confidence in a swimsuit. I’ve recently started to appreciate the power of positive affirmations, so start now and tell yourself every day how amazing your body is and how grateful you are for being you! That confidence will give you a glow that only comes from within.

What habits have you guys started lately to get prepped for the summer?

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Olay.

The post 5 Things You Should Be Doing Now to Get Ready for Swimsuit Season appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: SPORTS BRA | BLACK CROP TOP (UNDER $30) | LEGGINGS (LAST SEEN HERE)

Who else LOVES sugar! I used to drink a Coke almost everyday. Every morning I would have a chai latte from Starbucks, and every night I would eat a bowl of my favorite sugary cereal before bed. Sugar was a major part of my life!

The reason I started this 14 Day No Sugar Challenge had nothing to do with fitness but was actually because I am obsessed with skincare, skincare products, how to improve your skin, anything and everything, I just love to learn and read about it. I had been reading all these articles about how sugar and processed foods affect so many aspects of your body, one of the main ones being wrinkles and aging your face. It was early December when I came across the article, but I knew there was NO WAY I would make it through the holidays without sugar so I pushed it aside and decided to wait until the new year. January 1st hit and I decided to go 14 days with NO SUGAR! I posted it on my Instagram so I had extra accountability to do it and so many of you guys chimed in with ideas and your favorite snacks to make it happen.

Let me put one disclaimer out there. I did no major artificial sugars, so I still had honey, fruit, yogurt – I was staying away from the major things like pop, candy, cookies, sugary cereals, sugary lattes, processed junk food (I know it’s not sugar but just junk food in general – basically stuff I knew was bad for you). Below is my no sugar diary – if you want to skip past my blabbering I give some tips and and ideas at the bottom and what my overall outcome was.

DAY 1 & 2:

The first two days weren’t that big a deal. I definitely thought about it but had that beginning motivation of “I got this!” which made it easy to fight through the little headaches and tired spells.

DAY 3-7:

The next couple days were when it started to get rough! I got bad headaches, felt agitated, super tired, felt like an addict noticing sugar EVERYWHERE we went. You know when you’re not supposed to have something so all you do is think about it. Ya, that was happening! I was really craving a fizzy soda and posted about it on my stories and a bunch of you recommended Le Croix. Mara picked out the flavors it was strawberry something and you know the burning feeling from the bubbles when you drink pop it kind of gave that effect so it filled my void for the need for pop.

DAY 7 CONFESSION:

Cody and I were driving to Spaghetti Factory, chatting away listening to music, and he’s eating a bag of cinnamon bears totally not thinking I reach my hand in the bang, grab one and take a bite. I’m like dannnng this tastes SO GOOD WHY?! And then mid chew it hit me- I was like crap it’s sugar!! Ahhh!!! I started yelling ” HURRY babe roll down the window I gotta spit this out!!!” I didn’t swallow it and it was 100% an accident so I feel like it’s not a true cheat lol 🙂

DAY 8:

Headed on a flight to Miami and it was super weird because I ALWAYS get Twizzler nibs for the flight. We fly quite a bit so it was so weird my body like wanted to go through the motions at the airport and get my snack foods, but mentally I had stop myself a couple times. Habitually I ordered Ginger Ale, because I have that or Coke on every flight but then the second she handed it to me it was like oh ya I’m not drinking pop so I handed it back to her and switched out for water.

DAY 9 – 11:

Was in Miami and luckily my friends with me are pretty healthy eaters, I found this place that had all organic fruit pops that were like popsicles but just with fresh fruit! They were super yummy and I got a kiwi strawberry one.

DAY 12-14: HOME STRETCH!

I got home from Miami and my best friend flew into town. We stalked up on a bunch of snacks for the kids and Beckam picked one of my all time favorite POWDERED DONUTS! – yes im realizing this is basically turning into a diary of all the sugary things I missed. I opened the bag to give one to B and they smelt SO GOOD. It literally took everything in me not to take one. My friend was like just do it your a day away you seriously did so good already and I was like I can’t, I’ve come this far I have to do ONE MORE DAY! And I know it sounds so dumb but when I finally finished knowing I really really made it and set my mind to something and actually did it felt SO GOOD!

I DID IT!

It was literally a celebration when Day 14 came! I was so excited to have some sort of treat! Yes it was powdered donuts lol, and of course a Coke. But what was weird is usually I can drink a full Coke no big deal I only had a couple sips and was kind of over it. I wasn’t as into as I used to be, and I didn’t even crave my chai lattes anymore! But let’s be honest the donuts tasted like heaven 😉

So I wanted to share some tips and pointers from what I learned:

SUBSTITUTES:

Milk: I  made the switch from regular milk to almond milk, and surprisingly didn’t even miss normal milk that much. On average one cup of milk has about 10-12 grams of sugar, whereas most almond milks contain no sugar at all.

Soda: On a couple occasions I had really bad cravings for soda, so I turned to drinking zero sugar drinks like La Croix instead. They’re not necessarily my favorite drinks ever, but the carbonation helped to curb the cravings.

When it came to snacks, I loved almonds, apple slices, protein shakes, etc. I also probably ate eggs way more than ever. Scrambled egg whites, egg sandwiches, avocado toast with eggs, really egg anything I like.

EATING OUT:

If you’re going to attempt any sort of lifestyle or diet change it’s probably unrealistic to say that you’ll never eat at your favorite restaurants, drinks or desserts. Something that helped me a lot was one of my friends told me you could look up restaurants menus and nutrition facts online. Nowadays most restaurants include dietary information on their websites which is extremely helpful and insightful. For example a lot of times I thought a salad off the menu would have the least amount of sugar compared to everything else, but most the time was completely wrong! What I would do is look up those facts online for wherever we were planning on eating so that I would know ahead of time what I would be ordering so that I could still stick to my plan.

For example, you can plan your no-sugar Starbucks run in advance with their nutrition information here. It definitely takes a little more planning, but so worth it!

WHAT I LEARNED:

Since the two weeks have been over I’ve been much more aware of sugar and how prevalent it is in the foods we eat. Since the challenge,  I still have my occasional chai lattes and cold Coke, but I’ve cut my overall sugar down SO much. I’m trying to limit myself to two days a week of having a cheat item, and honestly the weeks I don’t limit myself and just eat whatever (it’s been almost 2 months since I finished), I notice a huge change in my energy and overall feelings.

I noticed more changes (for the good) in my body those two weeks of no sugar than ever before! Not to say that working out isn’t important because I started going to the gym a lot more during this too, but sometimes I forget that what we’re eating is what plays the biggest role in how our bodies react and change.

My reason for starting this was out of the intention to be a little healthier and feel better overall, but in the end I realized this was WAY more of a mental challenge than a physical one. If you read my daily diary above you know day thirteen when I was opening a bag of powdered donuts for B it literally took everything in me to resist. At that point I knew one donut wouldn’t ruin everything, but I wanted to push myself and prove to myself that I could stick to my guns. So many times during these two weeks I was pushed to the breaking point of giving in. Once it was over I was so proud of myself for pushing through and it was a good reminder that I really can do anything I set my mind too, and that we’re all stronger than we think. I know this sounds cheesy but I feel like it’s helped me have a stronger mental focus in other areas of my life as well. Does anyone know what I’m talking about? I feel like it’s so hard to really explain.

Also I had originally set out to do this for skin improvements and one of the girls who does my makeup a lot came over for a shoot and she was like your skin seems tighter under your eyes have you been doing something different? And I was so excited she saw a difference! She had no idea I was on the sugar challenge and she’s someone who is constantly looking at my skin so I was excited to see it actually worked!

Have you guys ever tried to go without sugar? What was your experience like and would you do it again? Or how long did you last without sugar – so curious!

XX, Christine

The post The No Sugar Challenge That Almost Broke Me appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: BLACK TIE BACK TANK (WEARING SIZE 6) | PLEATED SHORTS (WEARING SIZE 4) | COLORBLOCKED WHITE AND PINK NIKES

You guys know I love anything in pink so I was obsessed with these as soon as I laid eyes on them! I have a hard time with shorts – a lot of times they look really boxy on me – but I love the feminine side-pleat on this pair. Also still living in these colorblocked sneakers. Am I the only who gets excited when you have matching sneakers? haha

DETAILS:  BLACK AND NUDE STRAPPY SPORTS BRA (WEARING SIZE 6) | BLACK HOT SHORTS (WEARING SIZE 4) | COLORBLOCKED NIKES

These shorts are another great pair. I love the length and the really thick waistband – they also come in 12 colors. Also how pretty is this sports bra!!

DETAILS: BLACK AND NUDE STRAPPY SPORTS BRA (WEARING SIZE 6) | BLACK TIE BACK TANK (WEARING SIZE 6) | BLACK HOT SHORTS (WEARING SIZE 4) | COLORBLOCKED NIKES

I’m such a sucker for strappy sports bras. Most sportswear pieces are pretty simple silhouettes, so you get to have the most fun with pretty sports bras – love this one (comes in 12 colors)! Also, even better with this tie-back tank to show off the back detail. Love the combo and the cool spattered print on this tank (comes in 3 colors).

DETAILS: BLACK LEGGINGS (SOOOO COMFY! WEARING SIZE 4 – SIMILAR HERE) | BLACK TIE BACK TANK (WEARING SIZE 6) | COLORBLOCKED NIKES

These are the most comfortable Lululemon leggings I have ever owned!! They don’t have a hem at the bottom which I never realized made such a difference. And love the pockets! I never realized how useful pockets were in workout pants until now. Seriously, I can’t recommend these enough and tell all my friends about them.

DETAILS:  BLACK TIE BACK TANK (WEARING SIZE 6) | PINK CROPPED LEGGINGS (WEARING SIZE 6 – SIZE UP, THEY RUN SMALL – PANTS VERSION HERE)

More pink! Love the color on these cropped leggings and also got them in the pants version here. I’ve been sticking to my gym routine so I’m always looking for new workout pieces – let me know below if you have anything you recommend!

Also I’m going to finish up my post on my no sugar challenge I did last month so leave a comment with any questions you have about the challenge so I can include them as well!

XX, Christine

The post 7 Workout Pieces You’ll Live In appeared first on Hello Fashion.

He loves to pretend he’s a ninja.

His little Nike track suit kills me!

DETAILS: NIKE FLEECE JACKET | LOGO CROPPED TANK | BLACK FLEECE PANTS (ALSO GOT IN GREY) |  WHITE COLORBLOCKED SNEAKERS (ALSO GOT THESE ON SALE UNDER $100)

BECKAM: GREY SWEATSUIT | SNEAKERS (DYING!)

If you guys follow much on stories, you know I started 2 weeks of no sugar – not to lose weight but just be healthier overall and see if I have more energy and feel better throughout the day.  I had literally eaten SO MUCH junk food through the holidays! The first few days were rough! I was so tired, had no energy, and had dark circles under my eyes. It’s definitely gotten easier since the first couple days and I’ve started finding new things I can eat that satisfy my cravings without caving. (I just cut artificial sugar, so natural sugars like fruits were ok :).

I’ve also started going back to the gym. I was so slammed with work for the last 3 months that I really slacked, and even when I would try to do workouts at home, I would get distracted and not push myself as hard. It seriously feels so good getting back into it! I found a bunch of new sportswear pieces (is that the best motivation for anyone else?? 😂) that got me so excited to start getting back into my routine. I’m obsessed with these Nike Metcon 4’s (comes in 4 colors)! Love the pretty blush colorblock detail and how cute are the polka dot laces? Also got these Nike Free Flyknits which are on sale right now for under $100 and comes in 10 colors. This logo cropped tank was another one of my favorite buys.  It’s the perfect middle ground between just a sports bra and a regular top. I also stocked up on warm layers to wear to and from the gym and this one is soo cozy. I’m probably in sportswear 70% of the time, whether I’m working out or not, so I’m a sucker for comfy layers. I also got these joggers in both grey and black and they are another great piece for the gym or loungewear for lazy days. I found this matching Nike Tech Fleece sweatsuit for Beckam too and I’m obsessed (and same with these mini Nike Huarache sneakers)! Slash it also makes him look like a big kid and I almost can’t handle it!

Below are a few more of my favorite Nike picks that work for leg day or loungewear:

Xx, Christine

*In collaboration with Nike and ShopStyle.

The post Nike With My Mini appeared first on Hello Fashion.

recipe via pinterest

CARROTT, PISTACHIO, AND POMEGRANATE LOAF RECIPE

| Makes: 8 Servings |

Ingredients:

• 7/8 cup of self-raising flour
• 7/8 cup of  golden caster sugar
• 5/8 cup of  butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
• 3 large eggs
• 6 tablespoons milk (you can use normal, semi or fully skimmed milk)
• 1/2 cup of grated carrot
• 1/3 cup of roughly chopped pistachios (plus extra to decorate)
• 1 pomegranate
• sieved icing sugar

See directions with photos .

junipercakery.co

recipe via pinterest

BLUEBERRY AND COCONUT POPSICLES

| Makes: 8 Servings |

Ingredients:

•  1½ cups coconut milk
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or agave nectar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Instructionss:

1. Mix the coconut milk, maple syrup and vanilla in a blender until smooth.
2. Add the blueberries and pulse until they’ve’ been “smashed” but not completely blended.
3. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze for at least 5 hours or overnight.

wallflowerkitchen.com

recipe via pinterest

EXTRA CRISPY BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

| Makes: 3 Servings |

Ingredients:

• 3 whole Sweet Potatoes, Peeled And Cut Into 1/4-inch wide Thin Sticks
• 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup ghee (or olive oil)
• 1 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Seasoned Salt (or Plain Salt)
• 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

See full instructions here.

layersofhappiness.com

recipe via pinterest

SWEET POTATO PIZZA

| Makes: 2 Servings |

Ingredients:

• 1 medium size sweet potato, peeled
• ⅔ cup rolled oats
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• a pinch of garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Detailed instructions here.

pinchofyum.com

recipe via pinterest

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BANANA CAKE

| Makes: 9 Servings |

Ingredients:

• 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1 cup)
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup applesauce
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• 2 Tbsp mini chocolate chips for topping – optional

Instructions:

1. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix the bananas and brown sugar until the bananas are mashed and the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add the applesauce, vanilla, and egg. Mix together.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until incorporated.
4. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Pour batter into a greased 8×8-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top with mini chocolate chips.
5. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 35 minutes. Check the center with a toothpick to determine doneness. Best eaten warm.

dessertnowdinnerlater.com

PIN NOW – SAVE FOR LATER:

XX, Christine

The post 5 Healthy Swaps For Your Favorite Treats appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Obsessed with these colorblocked blue pants (UNDER $100)! I like that they are high-waisted!

Cody has a hard time finding sweatpants for the gym that aren’t too hot. He loved this pair from Marks & Spencer – they are fitted and still stretchy and lightweight.

Brrrr. It’s been dumping so much snow in Utah lately! I just got a bunch of new workout stuff (all under $60). Love this vest for a versatile athleisure layer.

DETAILS: GREY AND BLACK VEST (UNDER $100 -WEARING SIZE 8 ) | BLACK SPORTS BRA (UNDER $50) | BLUE COLORBLOCKED LEGGINGS (UNDER $50  – WEARING SIZE 6 | ALSO GOT THESE) | MORE GREAT WORKOUT OPTIONS HERE

CODY: GREY HENLEY SWEATSHIRT (UNDER $50) | GREY JOGGER SWEATS (UNDER $100) | MORE GREAT WORKOUT OPTIONS HERE

It’s officially 2017! The new year came so fast! New Year’s always leaves me really really excited! A chance for a new start, new goals, and time to reflect on what I’m thankful for from the previous year and what I want to improve moving forward. 2016 was probably one of my most exciting years yet! Cody and I set BIG goals starting last year, personal goals, travel goals, goals to grow the blog and ILY and almost every goal we set we hit. We worked our asses off, but at the end of the year honestly I felt so emotionally exhausted. We were putting in long hours, many all nighters, and at the end of the day it felt like I didn’t get to enjoy the journey because I was pushing so hard to hit those goals.

Reflecting back on last year, I’ve realized that a lot of times when you feel like you are overwhelmed, so much of it is mental – it all starts with a mindset. I let myself get overwhelmed with that feeling of being “so busy” that I didn’t just sit down and enjoy moments. A lot of times even when I was home my mind was constantly running and I was never able to shut anything off. I realized that if you are working hard and not balancing the rest of your life, life just becomes work and there’s no point to working hard when you aren’t taking time to enjoy it.

With that said, below are a couple of my New Year’s goals for this year. We are taking a different approach to things and working more on improving the little day to day things that affect everything else we do.

1. READ MORE. One of my big goals for this year is to read more. I’ve realized it’s easy for me to get distracted and overwhelmed mentally so I’ve been reading positive and inspiring books even just for 15 minutes a day to keep me on track. I just got a book that talks about being effective with your time and I’ve already taken so many parts to heart.
2. RELAX. Last year even when I would be relaxing, taking a bath at night, I’d be in the tub with my phone responding to emails, getting posts ready, etc. The book I’ve been reading talks about deliberately setting aside that time to relax, otherwise you never get a chance to recharge. So I’ve literally been turning my phone to silent and putting it in another room so I don’t get distracted and actually relax. Not only does learning to relax help you recharge but allows you to be more present in the moment.
3. BE PRESENT. I really debated sharing this, because it was probably one of my lowest “mom moments”, but I always strive to be honest with you guys, even in the hard times because life isn’t perfect. A few weeks ago I was on my phone finishing a deadline and B kept asking me to play tennis with him, I kept telling him to hold on I was almost done. After about 5 minutes of not being done, he started a major melt down crying, telling me to put my phone down, that I don’t pay attention to him. It was such a hard mom moment! It literally broke my heart. I threw my phone down and in tears gave him the biggest hug and just put everything else aside to be with him that afternoon. Sometime’s I forget how much they are really watching our every move. It is one of the hard parts of working from home, is that the kids see me working more but I realized this goes back to time blocking. Being effective with my time so when I am with them it’s quality time. I know I wasn’t present in many areas this last year, with my family, Cody, friends, etc. I don’t say that for you guys to build me up, I say that because I see it almost everywhere I go. We are all glued to our phones and it’s kind of sad in reality. I love what I do and am so grateful to be able to make a career out of something I’m passionate about, but no career is worth those bad mom moments so I’m making this year all about being more present.
4. TIME BLOCKING. This was actually something we started last month we are bringing into this year. It is crazy how fast the day flies by and how easy it is to get distracted. We all get a million notifications on our phone from emails, social media, texts, calls, etc. I’ll be the first to admit I am easily distracted haha. So Cody and I both have started blocking out our days to effectively get things done. Certain times for certain projects.Whatever doesn’t get done, we have to wake up early the next day and finish. We have carried it over to our employees as well and it’s crazy how much more effective you are if you just set a timer to get something done.
5. BEING ACTIVE. This is like a month to month thing for me, some months I’m really good at it and others I’m so bad. This book I’m reading cited all sorts of studies that show that even just 30 minutes of activity, 3 days a week positively affects almost every aspect of your life: health, happiness, love life – everything! It’s so easy to stay cuddled up inside, especially in the dead of winter, but with your New Year’s goals just getting started it’s the best time to start those habits and carve out at least 30 minutes 3 times a week to be active, whether it’s going to the gym, walking, or trying yoga or spin class.

Ok, sorry for the novel! I’ve spent so much time reflecting on last year and what I want for this year and it’s so helpful to put it into words – I swear writing it out makes it seem that much more attainable. What are some of your goals for the year?

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Marks and Spencer and Shopping Links.

The post Hey 2017! 5 Goals For the New Year appeared first on Hello Fashion.

DETAILS: 1. BLUSH BASEBALL CAP (UNDER $15)| 2. ADIDAS SWEATSHIRT | 3. NAVY SPORTS BRA | 4. NIKE SLIT SWEATSHIRT (MORE HERE)| 5. MESH BACKPACK | 6. BURGUNDY LEGGINGS (UNDER $50) | 7. WHITE AND BLACK SPORTS BRA | 8. WATCH | 9. SUNGLASSES | 10. BURGUNDY SNEAKERS  | 11. NAVY STRIPED LEGGINGS (UNDER $40) | 12. CROPPED ADIDAS TOP | 13. GREY CROPPED SWEATSHIRT (UNDER $30 – LOVE THIS ONE) | 14. BLACK MESH SNEAKERS

Happy Friday, guys! I aways get excited to be in cozy clothes on the weekend and always find myself adding some sneakers or oversize sweatshirts to my cart (just got this pink pair). I always love pieces that you can wear outside the gym too and all these pieces are perfect because they are really versatile and make for easy athleisure looks, plus everything above is $100 and under. I got this sweatshirt in a size medium because I wanted it a little oversized. Cody always under-packs so he ended up borrowing it while we were in New York haha but it’s really the perfect size for both of us! I also love the cropped sweatshirt look – this white boxy one and this grey fitted style are both so pretty! To transform your look for running errands this weekend, just throw on an easy hat (love this nude one under $15) and some sunglasses and you are good to go!

Hope you guys have a great weekend! Below are a few more great athleisure pieces under $100 and also don’t forget to tune in Sunday for our next Facebook Live! If you missed it last time you can watch it here. It was so much fun to film and we can’t wait to do another one with you guys!

XX,

Christine

The post Workout Essentials Under $100 to Wear In & Out of the Gym appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Speaking of last minute, I have found some of the yummiest and quickest salad recipes that you can prep in a mason jar. It is literally the best and is so fast, mess-free, and easy to take on the go – it’s the perfect healthy (and cute!) lunch. Below are a few of my favorites and you can find more that I have pinned here.

recipe via pinterest

THAI CHOPPED CHICKEN SALAD

| Makes: 1 Serving|

Ingredients:

• Chopped Lettuce
• 1-2 Spiced Grilled Chicken Breasts: 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp garlic granules, pinch of sea salt
• 1/2 cup Spicy Broccoli: 1 tbsp chili paste
• 1 cup Mango and Cabbage Slaw: 1/2 cup sliced or cubed mango, 1/2 cup finely chopped cabbage, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup Roasted Red Peppers & Tomatoes: 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers, 1/2 cup chopped grape tomatoes

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp coconut aminos
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or sesame oil
• 1 tsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp chili paste
• 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger

See instructions on layering in the jar here.

recipe via pinterest

GREEK SALAD

| Makes: 1 serving |

Ingredients:

• 1 small zucchini or cucumber, peeled, seeds removed and cubed
• ⅓ cup kalamata olives, cut in half
• 1 can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and patted dry
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• ⅓ to ½ cup crumbled feta
• 2 – 3 vine ripened plum tomatoes, chopped or ½ pint grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 3 tablespoons pine nuts
• 5 – 6 cups chopped romaine hearts, washed and dried well
• 2 – 3 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried well

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove minced garlic
• ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• coarse salt and fresh black pepper

Instructions here.

recipe via pinterest

CHEF SALAD IN A JAR

| Makes: 1 serving |

Ingredients:

• 1 C. (1 whole) diced Roma tomato
• 1 C. (¼ whole) sliced English cucumber
• 1 C. (1 oz.) cooked lean ham, sliced into strips
• 1 C. (1 oz.) cooked lean turkey, sliced into strips
• 2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and cut into wedges
• 2 oz. cheddar cheese, cut into thin strips
• 2 oz. Swiss cheese, cut into thin strips
• 4 C. chopped Romaine lettuce, bite sized pieces

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ C. (2 small) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 Tbs. finely grated parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ tsp. coarse grain mustard
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
• 6 Tbs. light olive or canola oil

Detailed instructions here.

recipe via pinterest

BURRITO BOWL MASON JAR SALAD

| Makes: 5 servings |

Ingredients:

Quinoa-

• 1 cup quinoa (I used a combination of red and white)
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• juice and zest of one lime, or 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Chicken-

• 2 large chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or ghee
• For the bacon: (optional)
• 2 pieces of thick cut bacon

Sweet Potatoes-

• 1 large sweet potato, washed with both ends cut off
• 1 tablespoon residual bacon oil or coconut oil

Other Ingredients-

• 3 cups chopped lettuce
• 5 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
• 3/4 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

See instructions on how to make the salad here.

recipe via pinterest

ARUGLA AND WATERMELON SALAD IN A JAR

| Makes: 4 servings |

Ingredients (per salad):

• 1 cup seedless watermelon, cut into 1.5 cm cubes
• 1 tablespoon feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon almonds (slices)
• 1 teaspoon mint, torn
• arugula (as much as will fit)

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 4 teaspoons sugar

Check out the instructions here

PIN FOR LATER!

Let me know if you guys get a chance to make any and what you think. Happy Sunday!

XX,
Christine

The post 5 Fast and Healthy Mason Jar Salads appeared first on Hello Fashion.

Have these shoes in black and white! They are super comfortable!

So obsessed with these leggings!

DETAILS: WHITE RACERBACK TANK (WEARING SIZE MEDIUM – I LIKE THEM BAGGY – ALSO LOVE THIS ONE) |  JUST DO IT LEGGINGS | WHITE AND BLACK SPORTS BRA (ON SALE — 50% OFF) | BLACK NIKE SNEAKERS (ALSO JUST ORDERED THESE)

I grew up a tomboy, so ever since I was a kid, Nike has been one of my favorite brands. I literally only used to wear Nike, Reebok, or Adidas. I was a tomboy to the max! I get just as excited to find new sneakers and workout stuff as I do to find a beautiful pair of shoes or new clothes. I just got this pair of Nike sneakers in black and this pretty pair of Flyknits. I also got this Nike top for B, and how cute are these little sneakers!? I can’t wait for him to wear them this weekend on our trip!

Macy’s is having their Black Friday in July sale through Sunday (7/17). They have a ton of Nike stuff on sale. I just ordered this top and this jacket. Below are some other cute sale pieces:

DETAILS: 1. BUTTON DOWN (50% OFF) | 2. NUDE TOTE (ON SALE — 50% OFF) | 3. WHITE OFF-THE-SHOULDER DRESS (50% OFF)  | 4. GOLD WATCH (ON SALE — 25% OFF) | 5. PINK LIPSTICK | 6. BLACK SHIFT DRESS (ON SALE — 50% OFF) | 7. LACE-UP GLADIATOR (ON SALE — 50% OFF) | 8. NIKE MESH TANK (ON SALE — 33% OFF) | 9. NUDE LACE-UP SANDAL (ON SALE — 50% OFF) | 10 DISTRESSED DENIM JACKET (ON SALE — 65% OFF)

Ever since I got my Givenchy bag last year, I have had a ton of you ask for similar budget-friendly options — I love this similar style, and right now it’s under $150. If you don’t have a nude tote already, you need one! It’s for sure my most worn bag color. I also love this shift dress. It’s such a sophisticated cut and this one comes in so many colors. More Black Friday in July Specials here use code BFJULY for 25% off.

XX,

Christine

*In collaboration with Macy’s and Shopstyle.

The post Nike appeared first on Hello Fashion.

obsessed with these shorts (under $50)! I just ordered them in black and pink too!

DETAILS: NIKE SHORTS (MORE SIZES HERE ALSO LOVE BLACK HERE) |WHITE TANK TOP (SIMILAR HERE & HERE) | NIKE SNEAKERS | AVIATORS | SILVER WATCH (40% OFF)

I have always been a Nike girl – not just my obvious sneaker obsession (just got this pair) but their workout clothes are always so cute. I’m obsessed with these shorts I just ordered them in the black and this red/pink color.

Lately in full honesty it’s been really hard for me to get to the gym. So I’ve been trying to do more active things outside of the gym to stay active. There are so many fun things you can do with you S/O, friends, or the kids to get you in the habit of breaking a sweat to either work your way up to those regular gym routines or pair with it.

1. The Trampoline Park: This is one of the kids’ favorite destinations but it’s actually so much fun for adults too! Cody is a ninja he can do all sorts of tricks and flips and I’ll just hop a long like a bunny, but you can totally feel your heartbeat pick up and they have some fun obstacle courses too for arm and leg work outs.
2. Hike: We have really been on an outdoor kick lately. We are lucky to have so many amazing hikes to choose from here in Utah. Even if you don’t have anything nearby, you can make a weekend of it and head to the nearest mountains – it will definitely be worth it!
3. Hit the water: There are so many great water sport workouts that you can make a family day out of, like paddle-boarding, kayaking, rafting or even just swimming.
4. Rock climbing: This used to be one of my one favorite things when I was little! You will be sore for days! Whether it’s indoors or out, rock-climbing is one of the best (or worst, depending on how you look at it 😉 work-outs (especially for upper body) plus it’s so fun to test yourself and see how high you can get.
5. Try something new: Whether it’s your first time doing yoga, taking a dance class, or learning that sport you always wished you played, it’s never to late to add something new to your list of hobbies, especially if it’s something that will get you moving.

XX, Christine

The post 5 Fun Ways to Get Fit appeared first on Hello Fashion.

recipe via pinterest

CHOCOLATE ZUCHINI BROWNIE

| Makes: 16 servings |

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup coconut surgar or unrefined sugar or granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup whole wheat flour or whole spelt flour or all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups peeled and grated zucchini
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips + 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips to sprinkle on top

See instructions for how to make the brownies here 

recipe via pinterest

FLOURLESS FUDGE COOKIES

| Makes: 34 servings |

Ingredients:

• 3 c. powdered sugar
• 3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 T. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. semisweet mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Line two baking sheets with silicone baking mats. Spray mats with nonstick cooking spray. You can also line with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with cocoa powder and salt.
4. Stir in the vanilla and egg whites.
5. Whisk just until the batter is moistened.
6. Stir in the chocolate chips.
7. Scoop the batter by the tablespoonful onto the baking sheets. Leave enough space between each cookie for them to spread (about 2 ½ ” of space between each cookie).
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops are glossy and lightly cracked.
9. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet, and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

recipe via pinterest

STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE ROLLS

| Makes: 8 servings |

Ingredients:

• 1 (8-oz) package reduced-fat crescent rolls
• 4-oz light cream cheese
• 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• ¾ cup strawberries, chopped small
• 1-2 tsp. Truvia sweetener or sugar, to sweeten strawberries

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in a small mixing bowl.
3. Open crescent roll package and separate each into triangles. Pat out each triangle wither fingertips to thin out a bit.
4. Spread a teaspoon or so of cream cheese mixture onto each triangle.
5. Then place a small scoop of strawberries on the wider edge of the triangle.
6. Roll up each crescent roll, starting on wide edge, tucking in edges over the strawberries and then roll down to the point of the crescent, creating a little bundle.
7. Place on prepared cookie sheet and repeat until all strawberry cheesecake rolls are made.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until dough is cooked through and golden brown.
9. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar if desired. enjoy!

recipe via pinterest

RAW WHITE CHOCOLATE W/ALMONDS & RASPBERRIES

| Makes: 24 servings |

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cacao butter
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup cashew butter
• 1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt
• 1 1/4 cup raw almonds
• 1/4 cup of freeze dried raspberries

See instructions on how to make these bars here

recipe via pinterest

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BANANA CUPS

| Makes: 16 servings |

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (can also be dark chocolate cut into small pieces from a bar)
• 1 medium banana, peeled and sliced into 16 rounds
• 1/4 cup all-natural peanut butter, store bought or homemade
• 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil, (unrefined extra-virgin preferred)
• 16 (1.25-inch) baking cups

Check out the instructions here

Pin for later:

Let me know if you guys get a chance to make any and what you think. Happy Sunday!

XX,

Christine

The post 5 OF THE BEST HEALTHY DESSERTS appeared first on Hello Fashion.

recipe via pinterest

DARK CHOCOLATE SEA SALT ALMONDS

| Makes: 1.5 cups |

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet high quality chocolate
• 1 and 1/2 cups Diamond of California whole almonds (raw and unsalted)
• sea salt
• turbinado sugar (or any coarse/raw sugar)

Directions:

1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
2. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or (carefully!) use the microwave. For the microwave, place the chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Melt in 30 second increments, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can temper the chocolate. If tempering, do not store finished nuts in the refrigerator.
3. Stir the almonds into the chocolate, making sure to coat each one. Using a dipping tool or a fork, lift the almonds out of the chocolate one by one or only a couple at a time (you don’t want them all sticking together!), gently tap the tool/fork against the side of the bowl to release excess chocolate, and place onto prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining almonds.
4. Sprinkle almonds with a little sea salt and turbinado sugar, then allow chocolate to completely set. I placed the baking sheet in the refrigerator to speed it up!
5. Store chocolate covered almonds in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

recipe via pinterest

APPLE CINNAMON COOKIE ENERGY BITES

| Makes: 2 dozen |

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed
• ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ cup almond butter
• ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup (not packed) grated apple (about 1 medium)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flaxseed, and cinnamon. In another bowl or a liquid measuring cup, stir together the almond butter, honey, vanilla, and pinch of salt until well combined. Pour over the oat mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated. (I use my hands at the end to make sure everything is well mixed.) Stir in the grated apple.
2. Scoop the mixture into tablespoon-sized portions (I use my small cookie scoop), and use your hands to squeeze it together into a ball. Slightly wet hands will help to keep the mixture from sticking.
3. Store the energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for 3-4 days.

recipe via pinterest

FROYO BERRY BITES

| Makes: 6 servings |

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup almond meal or crushed almonds
• 2 tablespoons raw coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, low-fat
• 2 tablespoons honey, (optional stevia liquid to taste)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh chopped strawberries and/or raspberries
• 6-cup muffin tin and liners

Directions

1. Line a 6-cup muffin tin with silicone or parchment cupcake liners. In a small bowl, stir together almond flour, coconut sugar, and coconut oil. Spoon a small amount into the bottom of each lined cup.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together yogurt and honey, or stevia to sweeten. Spoon 2 tablespoons into each muffin cup, covering the crust.
3. Top with fresh chopped berries. Freeze until firm, about 6 hours.

recipe via pinterest

AVOCADO TUNA SALAD

| Makes: 1-2 servings |

Ingredients:

recipe via pinterest

CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA APPLE BITES

| Makes: 16-20 wedges |

Ingredients:

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

XX,

Christine

The post 5 Easy Healthy Snacks appeared first on Hello Fashion.