12 Workout Pandora Stations

The only two things you need for a great workout is a good workout playlist and cute workout gear! As you saw a couple of weeks ago, we're currently obsessed with Athleta athletic wear (see post here). Sakura here is sporting the Athleta Revelation Capri and the Athleta Retreat Tank, which are both so unbelievably comfortable and cute!  We especially love the Retreat Tank because the top has a built-in bra and the bottom half is made with a different material that is flowy and allows air flow during your workout!

We recently discovered that Pandora came out with amazing workout playlists that will change your workout FOREVER. They're all upbeat, fun, and will help motivate you at the gym!  They even have a "Yoga Workout" playlist!

80’s Cardio

Alternative Endurance Training

Classic Rock Power Workout

Country Fitness

Dance Cardio

Electronic Cardio

Hard Rock Strength Training

Pop and Hip Hop Power Workout 

Pop Fitness

Rap Strength Training

Yoga

Yoga Workout

What's your favorite Pandora playlist to workout to?? 

Fall Makeup Looks Part 2 by Victoria

Last week, I shared with you my fall makeup tips (click here for them).  Here is Part 2 of my makeup and beauty trends you need to know for the rest of this fall and heading into the beginning of winter. See once again how my favorite YouTube Beauty Gurus have  pulled off some of my favorite fall and winter makeup trends as seen on the runway.

Plum Lids:

Your Beauty Gurus: 

Jaclyn Hill, Video: “Fall Trend 2013 Makeup Tutorial”                                                                  

Aykut VURAL, Video: “Fall/Winter 2013-2014 Makeup Trends [HD]” 

Note: Check out other Jaclyn Hill videos for some other makeup knowledge

Glitter Eyes:

Your Beauty Guru

Lilly B., Channel Name: ayeeDreamer, Video: “Holiday Glitter Eyes Tutorial”

Baby Pink/Blue Eyes:

Your Beauty Guru

Annie Jaffrey, Channel Name: AnnieJaffrey, Video: “Blue Liner <3 Babydoll Makeup Tutorial” 

Note: The Blue should be more icy and feel free to switch up the placement of the colors--nothing too pigmented; we're not in the 80's!

Meet Alicia Our New Health & Fitness Contributor!

We have very exciting news that we just couldn't wait any longer to share with our readers- meet our new Health & Fitness contributor, Alicia!  We're all about eating healthy and working out... but we're not exactly fitness experts.  Alicia is the perfect addition to our team!

A few times a month, Alicia will share all of her tips & tricks on eating healthy and working out.  Bonus... she even has yummy and healthy recipes in store for us too!  Read her bio & interview below, and get to know Alicia personally!


Bio:

Alicia Holmes is an Arizona native with an intense love and passion for health and wellness.  She serves as a health coach, personal and group fitness instructor, a fitness model, and has a passion for what she does.

Alicia’s thirst for knowledge about health led her to the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.  There, she became a certified health coach, with the intention of helping to improve the quality of life for others through nutrition and overall wellness practices. 

Given her athletic background in competitive gymnastics and cheerleading, coupled with her extensive knowledge of physical fitness and performance, becoming a fitness trainer was a natural step for her.  For the last four years, she has been training clients on a personal level, and has recently started instructing group fitness classes as well.

Upon meeting her, it's apparent that she finds true joy in being able to inspire others to improve their health and happiness.  She loves sharing her knowledge of nutrition and fitness!

Interview:
1. How did you get into health & fitness?

"It’s been a journey, but my dad’s cancer sparked my interest in nutrition.  I have a blog post on that on my website.  Years later I started marketing for an organic supplement company, and also began fitness modeling.  That’s when I realized I couldn’t quench my thirst for knowledge on anything health related."  

2. How many times a week do you workout?  What do you do?

"I try to get a good work out in at least 3-4 times per week.  Sometimes it’s more, and sometimes I just don’t have the time.  I love group fitness classes though, especially bootcamp style workouts.  The energy is awesome and I get such a killer workout.  For fun I also love hiking, hot yoga, and swimming."

3. What is your go-to snack when you're in a rush?

"Fruit, but I also try to always have my homemade protein bars or bites handy; sometimes a girl needs a little more than a banana!"

4. You have gorgeous hair- what's your secret?

"Thank you!  I don’t really have a secret, but eating as healthy as I do does help to grow strong, thick hair.  Also not washing it everyday if I can avoid it, which is convenient for my busy lifestyle."

5. What is your favorite part about working and eating healthy?

"My favorite part about working out and eating healthy is definitely how I feel.  I haven’t always been so healthy, I look back and it’s like night and day.  I have so much energy, I feel vibrant and alive.  I hardly get sick, and I sleep like a champ."

6. What's the worst diet you've heard of and why?

"That’s a tough question to answer.  There are so many fad diets out there that are pretty extreme.  I believe in moderation.  No carbs?  No fat?  95% protein?  Are you kidding me?"

7. What's 3 things you always carry around in your purse?

"I never go anywhere without lip balm and snacks.  Those two are easy.  Hmmm…  Floss!  I always have a travel size floss on me."

8. What's one of your favorite workout classes? 

"I really like doing Amenzone workouts, they are really challenging, but I love that.  And the workouts are different every single time, so you never know what to expect.  Except that I will definitely be sweating.  A lot.  I also really love hot yoga."  

9. One food you cannot live without.  Why?

"Just one?!  I feel like I have tons!  Right now I guess it would be bananas.  I have been having at least one a day lately.  But they are so tasty, and healthy.  And they are perfect before or after workouts, in my protein smoothies, and they are so portable."

10. What do you think is key to living a healthy lifestyle?

"Having fun with it.  If you make eating healthy and exercising fun, it’s easy to maintain.  We all like having fun.  But the second you start to take things too seriously, it tends to all fall apart.  Go hiking or make a healthy dinner with a friend; find a way to really enjoy eating vegetables by experimenting in the kitchen.  Eat cleanly, but have a treat now and then. Don’t sweat it if you miss one workout.  It can be easy to get carried away, but if you enjoy yourself, your meals, and your workouts, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is easy."

Holiday Safety Tips

Karen came across some awesome Holiday Safety Tips from her apartment complex that we wanted to share with you all. The holidays bring about a lot of hustle & bustle as people shop for loved ones and travel home. It also unfortunately promotes high criminal activity so it is important to take all the necessary safety measures to make sure you and your home are okay. Below are awesome safety tips you should keep in mind during this holiday season.

• Remember where you parked. Make a note of the entrance that is closest to your car. 

• Try to use an exit nearest to where you parked.

• Do not tempt thieves. Avoid leaving packages or other items in the car seat or elsewhere in plain sight. 

• Lock your car when you leave it, even if only for a short time.

• Try to avoid walking alone.

• Walk and park in well-lit areas whenever possible.

• Be alert to anything that looks unusual or when someone “accidentally” bumps into you. That’s how thieves often distract their victims. Try to avoid carrying packages that block your view. 

• Glance in the back seat before getting in your car.

• As you leave a building, carry your keys concealed in your hand.

• Do not hesitate to ask a security guard for help or for an escort to your car.

• Be cautious in showing the amount of cash you are carrying. 

• Never leave a burning candle in a room unattended. When disposing of matches, dampen with water first. Never throw a warm match away. Before lighting a Hanukkah Menorah or Kwanza Kinara, make sure the candles fit securely in the holder and, if you put them in the window, make sure to keep the flames a safe distance from blinds and/or curtains.

• If you choose to have a live tree, try to select a fresh one. To keep your tree fresh, cut a diagonal slice off the bottom of the trunk to help the tree absorb water. Check the stand often and keep it full of water at all times.

• Do not put your tree (live or artificial) near any electrical appliances or heat sources, like a fireplace or heater.

• Use fire retardant decorations. Try not to have the lights overlap with any ornaments or touch the tree stand.

• Test all electrical decorations for faulty wiring or burned out bulbs.

• Do not put cords under rugs. Keep cords out of traffic paths.

• Hang tinsel and decorations out of reach of small children and pets.

• Check with your local trash company or if you live in an apartment, your management company, for proper disposal of live trees.

• If your fireplace is equipped with gas or permanent (ceramic) logs, never add wood or other material to the fire.

• Keep flammable materials away from the hearth.

• Make certain the flue is open and clear before starting a fire.

• Always use a fireplace screen to keep sparks contained.

• Never overload the fireplace. Never burn tree parts, paper or other rubbish in the fire place.

• When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on a grate.

• Never use fire starters like kerosene, gasoline or lighter fluid in the fireplace.

• Never leave the fire unattended and besure the fire is extinguished before you go to bed or leave your home.

• Keep Christmas stockings and other decorations well away from the flames.

• Close blinds and set lights on a timer so it appears someone is home.

• Secure your windows, doors and sliding glass doors.

• Place a hold on mail, newspaper and other deliveries through the delivery service or have a neighbor pick them up.

• Leave heat “on” at a temperature of at least 60 degrees to reduce risk of pipes freezing during cold weather.

• Let water dripin your faucets and leave cabinet doors open in extreme cold to prevent pipes from freezing.

Please remember to always be alert and to call 9-1-1 if any crime is witnessed or suspected.

*These tips are intended to provide general guidance only and not legal advice. Each person must take steps necessary for personal protection.

Sisters Succeeding: Jordan Bosstick

Whether you're a Republican or a Democrat, we all have different opinions and views on things- well we want you to meet Miss Jordan Bosstick.  Jordan is a recent graduate from Arizona State University that decided to start her own political social network called, Volkalize!  Volkalize is an unbiased, political social networking site where all point of views are welcome!  Volkalize has been doing amazing since her launch and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Jordan and find out more about her, her career, and how she stays fashionable without wearing conservative suits all the time!

Read her interview below and make sure to check out Volkalize.com!

1.What sparked the idea of starting Volkalize?

"I LOVE politics, but everybody knows the media is crazy biased. News is either right wing or left wing. It is SO hard to find news with both sides of an argument. So I decided to create Volkalize.com: an unbiased, political social networking site where all points of view are welcome, because anyone online can contribute to the debates. I believe in grassroots efforts and the power of spreading information through the Internet. Our tagline is ‘People Power Discussion’ because people create the topics, provide the facts and opinions, and are responsible for spreading political information virally through the Internet."

2. Who is your biggest fan?

"Definitely my Dad. He encouraged me to stay politically informed from a young age. He is very opinionated! Volkalize provides an outlet for politically opinionated people to create their own articles and debates, and my dad is literally OBSESSED. He posts articles all the time. I am turning him in to a social media expert!"

3. What sorority were you in and how have your sisters helped you with Volkalize?

"I’m a proud Arizona State University Kappa Alpha Theta! My sisters have been so supportive. All of them helped me promote the Volkalize.com launch last May.  Beyond actually using the site and promoting it on social media, just chatting with my sisters about business, politics, and life keeps me motivated."

     4. Your thought on Politics and the younger generation- what do you hope to achieve through Volkalize?

"The younger generation needs to become more involved. The government affects our education, healthcare, safety, money, and pretty much every other aspect of our lives. I get frustrated sometimes with the apathetic youth. We are lucky enough to be members of the free world, and we should act like it. I hope Volkalize.com inspires my generation to educate themselves, stay politically engaged, and encourage others to do so as well."

     5.  What are some things you like to do when you're not working?

"Horses, yoga, and Pilates. I work out at least 6 days week. It’s the hour I set aside for myself each day to sweat and focus inward. Wine nights with my boyfriend, Nico, also keep me sane during the craziness of running an Internet start up."

     6.  What are 3 different beauty products you can't live without?

"#1 CHAPSTICK. I AM OBSESSED. My new fav is Coola liplux (‘peppermint & vanilla’).

#2 I love my Skin Stick (‘meyer lemon’) -- It’s basically chapstick for your body. I take it everywhere. It smells like lemon and instantly moisturizes. A must have for anyone that has to travel a lot, like me. Traveling dries out your skin, so skin stick keeps my skin from getting crackly.

#3 The Dry Brush – I like to keep my hair long and healthy. Literally every day I wake up its dreaded. I only use the Dry Brush. I REFUSE to use any other brush they damage my hair."

     7.   Winter is approaching- what is your favorite winter wardrobe accessory?

"I’m in San Diego, so winter for me means 65 and mostly sunny. Boots, bourdeaux colored nail polish, and lots of leather detail for any outfit."

     8.   Politicians are dressed very conservative- how do you mix it up and make it fun??

"THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. People in politics need to style it up a bit. I like to give a business look a little edge. I love finding a blazer with some leather detail. I also add tons of jewelry and accessories. Think Helmut Lang if you’ve got the $$ -- But I find great edgy stuff online on Nastygal and Revolve."

     9.  What are some things you learned from being in a sorority that has helped you post college?

"In Theta at ASU we liked to keep it classy and stay professional. My sorority sisters taught me to surround myself with positive driven people, because the saying is true you are who you hang out with. All my sisters encouraged each other to strive for success in everything they do. We networked with each other and support each other in all of our business endeavors. I am so proud of all of my sisters."

     10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

 "In 5 years I hope Volkalize.com will be the main platform for political discussion. I’d like to get more politicians using the site to communicate directly with their constituents. We just got our first Congressional Candidate - Carl DeMaio – using the site to chat with his constituents in San Diego."

     11. You love to workout- what do you do and how do you have time to workout in your busy schedule?

     "Running a business, trying to stay fit and healthy, and have a social life takes serious planning. I’ve picked up most of my tricks from The Skinny Confidential. To be honest, it just takes commitment and the willingness to work out early in the morning or late at night."

       A special thank you to Jordan for taking the time to interview with us!  Be on the look out for more upcoming information on Volkalize! 

     Happy Wednesday, everyone!