So after venting on yesterday's super-late post, I'm showing up today much more relaxed. That's probably because I spent my Thursday night (and a maybe a few nights before), sipping Chambord Kir Royales and binge watching January Favorites videos on YouTube. Honestly, I can't think of too many things better than a raspberry drank and lots of beauty talk right about now.

Chambord Kir Royales are beyond delicious, and I've recently learned from Karena&Katrina that they are low in calories. Win, win, win! (The 3rd 'win' being that tingly, warm feeling after the first glass). Oh, and they are the simplest to pour. If you're looking for a new, tasty, somewhat guilt-free drink, check out my sad awesome recipe illustration thingy below!

1,; 2,; 3; Edited by me.

Although I'm both cleansing out my makeup collection and trying not to buy too many unnecessary products, I'm addicted to YouTube videos in general and I'm always on the lookout for that raved-about product. So I've been loving these favorites videos and these YouTubers.

 

Everything Nicole Guerriero recommends ends up being the bomb.com, which 
reminds me I need to repurchase Christian Dior Creme de Rose Lip Balm.

As if I need any more light pink polish, I want Tanya Burr's Nail Polish in Mini Marshmellows!
And it's sold out :(

Not only is NitraaB hilarious in this video (& every video!), but she always has 

the discount codes that make me want to buy everything. Everything.

That Sally Hansen Topcoat might have to be mine soon.

Topcoat that dries in 30 seconds? Yes, please!

Happy Weekend!

The Biggest Loser That Lost Too Much

Blogging is for venting, right? At least once in a while, no? Well, I'm going to vent. Yes, that's what I'm going to do today. I hope you don't mind, but I'll give you time to get out while you can... 

Still here? Now, I'm not the type to write reaction blogs habitually, and I don't plan on it (not that I'm devaluing that; it's just not my thing). But on Tuesday, I tuned into the finale of the Biggest Loser, and pretty much reacted just like this along with trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels to the winner's reveal. 

What were they reacting to? Well, as the final hour of the finale drew to a close, fan favorite, Rachel Frederickson had her big reveal, walking through the double doors with a picture of her former self projected onto it. From far away on my television screen, she looked thin, but it didn't shock me at first in the same way that Bob and Jillian were clearly shocked. I thought "Oh wow, she's tiny, almost too small but okay I guess." When she stood next to her overweight hologram the difference was astounding and no one could deny it.

It's when Rachel stepped on the scale for her final weigh-in that I realized the magnitude of the weight she'd lost, and why the trainers reacted in the way they did. Rachel lost almost 60% of her initial 260 pounds, leaving her a shell of her former self. And not a particularly healthy shell either. 

And then... they zoomed in on her face and she looked about 40. Oh, by the way, she's only 24! 

Her trainer, Dolvett Quince, came to her defense (at least that's how news articles are putting it) on Wednesday morning stating in part "please try not to look at one slice of Rachel's journey and come to broad conclusions. Rachel's health is and always has been my main concern and her journey to good health has not yet ended!" If you ask me, Dolvett's statement is also loaded with concern for her health, and almost seems to expose his belief that she looks unhealthy. And the fact that both Bob and Jillian have opted not to comment yet were so clearly disturbed during the finale, just solidifies it for me.

Let me be clear, I am not passing judgment in any way. I know too well about the trials of striving for fitness. As a gymnast, the pressure to be lighter and stronger to ensure you'd be faster and better was overwhelming at times. A few years ago, in the midst of my fitness journey, I struggled against the temptation to skip meals or go to bed hungry because of the frustration of feeling like I wasn't seeing my handwork pay off on the scale. I remember what it was like rationalizing that it wasn't hunger but a craving panging at me telling me to eat something. I know what it's like to struggle with disordered eating because you feel you'd rather starve than go back to the unfit person you use to be. And I know what it's like to find yourself back here again, contemplating all of the ways to drop a few pounds quickly. It's troubling, to say the least. 

What's even more troubling is that, in reading the comments on some of these articles, I saw that a lot of people were defending Rachel's weight loss because it was for $250K, because some pro athletes and runners are the same size, and because weight loss like that could be attained healthily over that period of time. Now, my personal beliefs conflict with all of those reasons for a variety of different reasons, including the fact that I've never seen a NYC marathon runner in that kind of shape, and I doubt Rachel could run a marathon right now. Homegirl tripped up the steps. But it was the assertion that she was far healthier at underweight than she was overweight. Now whether that's true or not is up for debate, I suppose (she was about 15 pounds under and previously 130 pounds overweight). But the statement infuriated me! In my opinion, the mentality that being underweight with all the disorders that can bring is better than being overweight is the breeding ground for the unhealthy body images that lead many, especially young girls, to anorexia and bulimia and like disorders in the first place. And what I found even more astounding was that most of those claiming this was non-issue were men. *Stamps feet and slams doors* I cannot even go into what that all means, but I'll just leave it hanging here as an interesting observation. 

Of course, I really hope Rachel gets whatever help she needs to be the beautiful, athletic, confident woman she's always wanted to be while also maintaining her health. And now, that I write this all, I realize I'm more disturbed by the some of the reactions than anything else. One thing that definitely didn't disturb me one bit Tuesday night? At-home winner Tumi's transformation! 

  

Girlfriend weighed in at 175 pounds, shedding 188 of them and revealing this smokin' bod. 

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The Party's Been Cancelled.

Oh, hi there. *Waves* Just kidding. The party's just relocated for the day is all.

Today, I was lucky enough to guest post on Sara Elizabeth's blog, Pearls & Curls. She's lovely, hilarious, and so understanding, and, big plus, she's let me take over her blog to say whatever I want! I'm not sure what she's thinking; she must not know how ridiculous I am.

So, if you're missing me a little bit - admit it, you are - head over to there to read what I have to say about the girls, the dates and of course, the bachelor Juan Pablo! That's right, I've blogged about The Bachelor.

I'll be back Friday with something or another. I'm unpredictable like that. (Except not really cause ya'll know I'm trying stick to that 3 weekly posts schedule. Where's the mystery in that?!)

No Cuts, No Color. Just Blowouts.

I spent my Friday afternoon at Drybar. It was a great Friday :)

There's a Drybar location so close to me that I'm almost ashamed to say that I've never ventured inside. I usually wash and style my own hair between my relaxer appointments simply because I like taking the extra time to treat my hair (I allow the Macadamia masque to sit in my hair for anywhere up to a hour, sometimes). To be quite honest, what lead me to make an appointment at Drybar last week wasn't the rave reviews, although they are plentiful. I simply needed a good wash, and really, really didn't want to do it myself.

Drybar is just that - a blow dry bar. They don't do cuts or color or anything else. You walk in, have your hair washed, dried and styled, and you walk out. All for a flat rate of $40 regardless of how long or thick your hair is. There are locations in New York, California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and D.C., and salons in Chicago and Boston are coming soon. If it sounds awesome, that's because it is.

For the first time in like my life, I was on-time. Well, maybe I'm being dramatic but still, I'm proud of myself. Look at me sticking to my resolutions! Because Drybar is appointment-based, you don't walk into a super crowded waiting room and wait forever to get into a stylist's chair. When I arrived for my 1:15 appointment, there were only 2 other women waiting. I was told that they were running a few minutes late, but my stylist would be with me shortly. I can't remember how long I waited because I was plied with liquor distracted, but it wasn't long at all.

While I waited, I noticed the doormat that I walked right over when I entered. I thought it was such a sweet compliment to any woman walking in and it made me smile while I waited (or maybe that was just the champagne). In fact, the decor of the entire salon just made me happy. The salon is all gorgeous light-colored wood, white and neutral furniture and yellow accents. Most of the styling appliances, blowdryers and brushes included, were yellow as well as any flowers, small tables or light fixtures throughout. The decor is girly and fun, and the two televisions played chic flicks the entire time - I got to watch the final minutes of The Notebook and then half of The Proposal (I really love that movie). It feels like the salon is full of so much girl power, and although I'm definitely not the type to clam up around guys, the feminine atmosphere makes it really easy to chat like mad and get to know my stylist.

I didn't get many pictures after those because (1) I was busy sipping two mimosas, and (2) it's a little awkward to take pictures of an establishment when I'm suppose to be getting my hair done. After waiting for half-a-mimosa's time, I was greeted by Geneva, my stylist, who was incredibly easy to talk to. Because I have the skills of a ninja, I quickly snapped this photo when she led me to her chair, with my drank in one hand and coat in the other.

After I plopped down into the seat, she turned me around to the mirror behind us and said to me just like she was my oldest girlfriend "So, let's talk, girl." She proceeded to ask me a few questions about my hair (what I normally do, my concerns, blah), and then she brought me to the back room, where I stealthily snapped another photo (or maybe she just went to get a few products, I can't recall).

The wash bins in this salon are the most comfortable I've ever been in. There's no water accidentally running down your back or aching as you struggle against slipping out of the seat. They pull out these little footstools from beneath the chair, which make you feel like you are lounging as you get your hair washed. As she washed my hair with all Moroccan products, she talked to me about shampoos and serums that treat dry scalp, which I mentioned I was having an issue with because of the cold temperatures this winter. She was extremely informative, which relaxed me. Once I got back into her stylist chair, we talked a bit more about the Moroccan products she used before blowdrying. (I'm seriously considering buying a few Moroccan products. Have any of you tried them out?) From there, she dried and curled my hair and we talked about hair-related things, while I sipped another mimosa between sentences.

When Geneva turned me around, I watched the curls cascading towards my shoulders and almost couldn't believe it. I've been going to the same salon since I was 14. I'm usually very reluctant to let anyone new do my hair because of a few bad experiences at the hands of inexperienced stylists and I'm really trying to grow my hair out long and healthy like it was before college. But Geneva, she exceeded all expectations. My curls bounced when I turned from side to side, and my hair was shiner than I've seen in a while. But neither of those compare to how soft my hair is. I've been running my hands through it all weekend. I wish I had a picture of this perfection but I was too excited to think as I thanked Geneva, bounced towards the reception desk and gladly handed over my $40.

I spent the rest of the weekend admiring my hair. Just kidding. Kind of.

To sum it up nicely: Drybar is amazing. Book an appointment now!

1; 2 by me; 3; 4-9 by me.

Sweating for Summer: Stocking Your Fridge

When I began my first weight loss journey, this quote popped up everywhere. From the fitblr community to the gym to my own mom, I was reminded in some way that the majority of my battle with fat would be fought in the kitchen. What?! I didn't want to believe it. I love food. Most girls figure out the correlation between unhealthy food and weight gain in high school. But I was a gymnast during most of high school; it didn't matter what I stuffed my face with, I was going to burn right through it during my three hour practice that night. All I knew was that 3 slices of greasy pizza 10 minutes before practice wasn't the best idea (I learned that the hard way), but other than that I ate what I wanted. But when I went off to college where I partied, ate whatever and just went to the gym 3-5 times a week, I learned quickly that those days were over. I was cursed with the freshman 15 and then some. Lesson learned: I love food, but I can't devour all of the milkshakes and fries. Life just isn't fair.

So, if abs are made in the kitchen after all, what the hell am I suppose to eat? Personally, it's not the cravings that get the best of me most days. It's more about what's in front of me. Whether it's a bowl of ice cream or a serving of frozen yogurt, a pot-full of pasta or a plate-full, I'm just as satisfied really. Seriously, it's like my eyes are way too big for my own good. So, the key for me, and I think for a lot of people (although perhaps for different reasons), is to give myself the healthiest choices. My first stop on my fitness journey isn't the gym; it's the supermarket. So I'm bringing you along with me. This is how I stock my kitchen to prepare for battle, err, the Sweating for Summer challenge.

You can skip down to see what I took home - I won't hold it against you :)

Probably my favorite part of Trader Joe's. I love fresh flowers. I just need to learn not kill them. 

I always get my salad here. They're $4 a bag everywhere else!

Walk straight past this and over to the water. Even though they are pretty much the best juices ever :(

One of my favorite snacks. If you've never tried it, you need to.

A lot of people say don't buy frozen fish. And I get it, it's not as healthy as fresh fish. But see, if I bought fresh fish only, it would go bad in my fridge and I'd just end up ordering chinese. You see how this is a better option for me?

 Now, for my shopping cart :)

Every time I go grocery shopping, I pick up fruits. Trader Joe's has one of the best produce sections in the city, and, in general, have the best prices (seriously, I feel like I'm getting scammed if I shop anywhere else). By replacing sugary snacks with slightly, less sugary fruits, I save myself the I-just-inhaled-that-cupcake-guilt. You know that guilt I'm talking about.

Vegetables are an essential part of healthy eating. Of course, there's salad, which is like the golden child of every diet ever made. I also like TJ's prepped mixed vegetables because they make eating healthy so easy.
I've been wanting to whip up some guac for a while now, but it always seems so daunting. With everything right in one place in this Guacamole Kit, I couldn't resist.

Fage yogurt is my favorite brand because of how amazing it tastes and how convenient it is. I love eating it with sliced strawberries, raspberries and granola on top. And I like the one with honey too.

Here are a few good snacks I stock my pantry with. I admit the Inner Peas? Not so yummy. But those dried cranberries and granola bars, I'm known to carry those two around with me. They hit the spot every time! Read what's on the boxes there. I think it's too cute.

And of course, it's not healthy living if there isn't water. Saratoga spring water is like drinking the water of life from a bottle, but I'm not so bougie that I won't grab a plastic bottle too. I'm about that zero calorie goodness no matter what!

CHECK-IN #1: -2.5 pounds. I probably shouldn't have stepped on the scale today. The weather in NYC for the past few weeks has been cold and snowy, and I'm always a few pounds heavier at this time of the month. But I weighed in anyway because I want to do this right.

A Girl Who Reads: Pride and Prejudice

Title: Pride and Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen

Publication: 1813

Major Characters: Elizabeth Bennett, Jane Bennett, Lydia Bennett, Mr. & Mrs. Bennett; Fitzwilliam Darcy, Charles Bingley.

Main Plot: Elizabeth Bennett, the second of five daughters, thinks herself an excellent judge of character, especially of those around her who are driven by status and the desire to marry whomever in good-standing that shall have them. But not everyone is so easily pegged, and sometimes when you prejudge someone, you can be entirely mistaken.

Favorite Line(s):
"You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a good book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library."

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that it had begun."

“I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than [her]; she only smiles, I laugh.”

My Rating: More like 100 million trillion

I begin writing this review from my bed at 2am in a hazy state of absolute love after turning the final page of this novel. Like I may need a cigarette. I doubt I have the words to express how much I adore this book. After closing the book, with my head propped up on my headboard, I pressed the book to my mouth and looked over its binding. I felt vulnerable and overwhelmed, and for a while, it was all I could do not to cry. Yes, cry. And then, of course, within a few seconds time, that is exactly what I did. I allowed two tears to stroll down my cheek before deeming myself absolutely ridiculous and pulling the backs of my hands across my face. I am utterly in love with this remarkable novel.

_________________________

Returning to this review, I look back on the paragraph that I hastily typed minutes after finishing this book, and I still feel the same way. I read it weeks ago, and I'm still in love with it, maybe even more so. And this is to be expected as, in many ways, Pride and Prejudice is largely a romantic novel, transporting its reader to a world full of formalities and grandeur. This is a genuine love story - the love story to spark all those that we love currently. Yet, in many ways, it's nothing like the love stories we know. There's no damsel in distress, at least not permanently so. Elizabeth Bennett can take care of herself, and is unwilling to accept a husband for any other reason than all-consuming love. At the same time, Elizabeth doesn't pretend to be above the affairs of the heart and admits freely to his sister that, although prepared to wait for it, she wants that love. I identified with Elizabeth Bennett in a way that I've never connected with a character before. More than loved her, I felt like I was her. A sarcastic, secure, stubborn woman with much to say and no filter, Elizabeth judges the people around her for their desires and first impressions. She's not evil-spirited, but she is "the prejudice". And when she meets "the proud", she's affronted by his words, his "too good for everyone" demeanor, and his ability to frustrate her like no one else. In a word and without even knowing it, she feels challenged.

This romance novel has an incredible satire folded into it but not hidden at all. And as the perfect combination of hilarity and a sappy love story, the novel has easily shot to the #1 spot on my favorite books list. From the very beginning, Austen's description pokes fun of early 19th century status-driven society. The first line is saturated in sarcasm: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Austen's witty commentary on the world in which the Bennett sisters (at least most of them) strive to find their rich husbands, and her tone through Elizabeth's point of view makes the reader love both the character and the author. Austen looks at the institution of marriage in her society with a critical eye, as something that was the only option for many women, yet not necessarily the best option. But, she's no cynic. Using her characters as examples, she examines the wrong reasons for marrying, and the right ones between characters whose hearts seem to fall in sync from the very beginning.

Austen's writing is descriptive and lush. I didn't just read about Pemberley; I saw the rolling hills and stream full of excellent game. Not only was I disgusted by Lydia Bennett's complete disregard for her family, but I felt it as if she were my sister and wanted to strangle her just like Elizabeth. I made faces at some characters and felt badly for others. I could name dozens of quotes that I loved and language I thought perfect. Austen's writing pulls you in that way. There were moments while reading when I thought a short chapter here or there was extraneous or an unnecessary character was introduced, but within a few pages, I was shown exactly how necessary it was. Every single page pushed the characters and the story towards the final resolution and all the pieces fit perfectly together.

I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it, but if you have, leave a comment so we can fangirl over it! And if you love the novel, check out the link in my favorites post of a modern day adaptation. For now, I'll leave it at this: Pride and Prejudice is simply flawless and I'm sure that no review I write could ever do it any justice.

The Day I Discovered that X-Men Are Real

Because I'm so very popular, I spent my Friday night on my couch with my television, and I was delighted when I passed X-Men First Class while channel-surfing. I remember going to the midnight showing with my boyfriend at the Movie Tavern, but I don't remember the storyline of the movie very well at all. So when I stumbled upon the movie on FX on Friday night, I was immediately sucked in.

Truly, I love these kinds of films. Action-packed movies based on old-school comics? *Insert googly-heart eyes here* I loved the comics growing up so it's no surprise that no matter how often I watch the films, I'm practically hypnotized. The airing on FX, however, was one of those "commentary-with-the-movie" ones, which I admit I don't always like, but the hosts said something very interesting during a commercial.

Apparently, the idea of the X-Men series was based on minorities, which is why it's set in the 1960s. In fact, the characters of Professor Xavier and Magneto and their friendship parallels the differing philosophies of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. This intrigued me to say the least, and I immediately began digging.

Although the series occasionally makes other references (religious, anti-semitism, the red scare), the comparisons to racism and the fight against it are glaring. Mutant hate groups such as Friends of Humanity and Stryker's Purifiers and their actions against mutants are comparable to African American hate groups of the 60s. Also, a 1980s edition of the comic book mentions a fictional island where mutants are enslaved and segregated by an apartheid state, which draws a striking comparison to the then-conditions in South Africa. Not only does Magneto eventually quote Malcolm X in the first movie ("By any means necessary"), but during a conversation in the Professor's study in X-Men First Class, their differences become starkly apparent as one expresses gradual social change while the other is sure that radicalism, killing the enemy, is the only answer.

Eventually, they both realize that they don't want the same things. That even though both want a better life for mutants, they have different means to get there. The other mutants chose their respective sides. It's almost as if to say that's okay. At least for now, it's possible for these two men, these two philosophies to co-exist.

In 1982, Chris Claremont, an X-Men writer, stated "The X-Men are hated, feared and despised collectively by humanity for no other reason than that they are mutants. So what we have..., intended or not, is a book that is about racism, bigotry, and prejudice." Although he also finds fault with the movie's depictions, Mikhail Lyubansky, a professor in the psychology department of the University of Illinois praises X-Men for "provid[ing] the opportunity to have those much-needed conversations about tolerance and inclusivity. The important of being comfortable and proud in one's skin is one of several prosocial messages of X-Men First Class, as well as the original trilogy." I think that this message was evident throughout the entire movie. As I rewatched the film on Friday night, I watched the characters, especially Raven portrayed by the lovely Jennifer Lawrence, learn to accept themselves. In a scene towards the middle of the movie, Magneto confronts Raven advising her that she could be better if she didn't waste half of her concentration pretending to be something she's not. It's this conversation, I think, that leads to her finally accepting her "blue form." The movie even goes as far as to comment on what happens when you reject who you are. Moments after we see Raven rocking her "blue form" with confidence, we are introduced to Beast, the monster resulting from Hank's attempt at making himself "normal" by injecting himself with a cure.

And because today's post feels so heavy which in fact it is, here's what I gathered from all of this. Magneto is the bomb.com (really how cool would it be to control metal? I'd put a magnetic strip on eeerthang!), but X-Men is about educating one another, about learning to accept the differences in yourself and in others, about annihilating the idea of "normal" - it's about love. And so is today. So on this Monday, and every Monday for that matter, be motivated to love ❤ Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

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