5 Tips For Getting A Summer Body!

Hey sweet friends! Remember my girl Stephanie of Infinite Life Fitness!? She was my fitness contribuer, that recently took a LONG break, but is BACK again with 5 tips on getting our bodies ready for Summer! Lets give her a warm welcome back to Agape Love Designs!

 

THIS is the time that you should start to think of how you would like to feel AND also LOOK when the summer gets here.

If you start working NOW you will look and feel great when you have to wear those cute summer outfits (or bathing suits!)

So I bet you are now wondering what YOU can do now to help you shed the extra pounds before it gets warm:

1. You can set a REALISTIC goal. You have to be real with yourself and realize that you can lose 1-3 lbs a week. Any more than that usually is an indication of something is wrong.
2. You then set a REALISTIC time frame. So if you want to lose 15 pounds that should take you about 15 weeks. (and I ALWAYS over shoot the date with my clients so they will not get discouraged if they have not quite reached their goal by that date BUT it will be more motivation if you are losing weight at a faster speed to help you reach your goal before that date).
3. Set a P.O.A. This is what I call a Plan Of Action. This is when you will sit down and plan out your menu's for the week, plan what days you will dedicate to workout, and the workouts that you will do. The more prepared you are the easier it will be for you to follow this plan and to stay on track! Yes, everyone has a busy life! And even with my own busy schedule I personally do not have time to workout....but I MAKE TIME to workout. So you have to MAKE TIME to get your food ready, to get your workouts done, and anything else that is needed to help you reach your goals.
4. You have to find what is motivating you and find ways to keep you motivated. You can do this by placing quotes, images, scriptures, or whatever you like in places that you will see them. I personally have written messages on my bathroom mirror with a white board marker, I place quotes on sticky notes and have them in the kitchen, in my car, and at my fitness studio. I have constant reminders around me to help me stay motivated and on track even on the days that i am not feeling up to sticking with my routine.
5. Lastly, you have to WORK HARD! Stay consistent with your workouts and eating healthy and you will reach your goals. YOU HAVE TO STAY CONSISTENT! And another rule is your diet is MORE important than your workouts. You have to fuel your body with the proper foods in order for you to start losing the extra weight to reach your goals.

Reaching your goals can be done in these easy steps! You have to get up and do something about it! No one else can do it for you! YOU have to want to make the changes in your lifestyle! Try to get your family to adopt to these changes as well OR get a friend to do it with you as well. This will also allow you to have an accountability partner to help keep you on track. The more support you have around you the better it will be! DO NOT put it off another day! Get up and do something about your health TODAY! You have the tools to reach your goals! So why not start NOW so you can flaunt your confidence and new body this summer.  

This is Stephanie from Infinite Life Fitness. 

Please feel free to stop by my blog for more health and fitness tips!

 

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 Stephanie is a monthly, Agape Love Designs contributor for health and fitness!
Her Fitness 101 series can only be found here.
If you are looking for more post about fitness and fitness inspiration please visit her site!

Much Love & Hugs,

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Penny Auctions Canada...

Disclosure: I got the bracelet I am wearing as part of an advertorial.

I always see ads on tv for penny auctions... But never realized how they worked, or how you really get big ticket items at a major discount. Recently, though, I have learned a little more about them through PAC (penny auctions Canada). Basically you need to purchase bid. Bids cost $0.75 each and come in packs of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 500, 750 and 1000. Then you pick an auction, and then BID on an item. Each time you bid on an item, one bid will be deducted from your account and the auction price will increase by $0.01. Once you place a bid, it is considered "used" and will not be returned to you. Here is what auctions look like:

It sounds like a great idea. But I have heard good and bad things about auction sites... Ive heard it takes some practice and some extra knowledge to really get a good deal though action sites, but it IS possible to get some amazing items at a deep discount! If you are someone who might like to give this site a try, I DO have a promo code to share with you... You can get 25 FREE bids with a 25 bid pack purchase... Just use code TOMOSON25. You can also get 5 FREE bids (no purchase necessary) for creating a free account with them, then sending an email to addiliates@pennyauctionscanada.com with your user name.

Bids cost $0.75 each and come in packs of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 500, 750 and 1000. - See more at: http://pennyauctionscanada.com/content/index/view/how_it_works#sthash.juMLfBXE.dpuf

Bids cost $0.75 each and come in packs of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 500, 750 and 1000.

We have an exciting variety of items to choose from. All of the items auctioned on our site are brand new!

Each time you bid on an item, one bid will be deducted from your account and the auction price will increase by $0.01. Note that once you place a bid, it is considered "used" and will not be returned to you.

- See more at: http://pennyauctionscanada.com/content/index/view/how_it_works#sthash.juMLfBXE.dpuf

Now, even though PAC is located in Canada, they are also open to US. And if you are interested, check out their facebook page, because they always offer great giveaways!

What Im Wearing: 

Top: Forever 21

Heels: Maurices

Bracelet: c/o Penny Auctions Canada

Knuckle Ring: (Toe Ring) Walmart

Much Love & Hugs,

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and think would be good for my readers.

Rockstar Nails Review & Feb BB5 Unboxing

Hello my dear friends! Happy Tuesday to you. ♥ Today I am excited to share a review on Rockstar Nails' Nail Polish and Caviar beads! "Caviar" nails have been all the rage lately in the nail and beauty community! Ive heard good and bad things... And I was curious as well with just how well those beads would hold up on a mani. Luckily, I received this FULL size Polish & Sprinkles from Rockstar Nails in my Beauty Box 5 package this month! Keep reading to see my thoughts on this product, and just how well they have held up so far.

If you dont already know, Beauty Box 5 is a subscription-based, beauty sampling program that delivers a box filled with 5 cosmetic samples to your door every month.

 

Cost: $12 / month, $30 / Quarterly, $99 / annually

 Here is a peek at my mani on the first day I did it:

Feb 22, 2014 | New #mani with RockStar nail polish & sprinkles that I got in my @beautybox5 package! by agapelovegirl on Keek.com

I will start with the Nail Polish first.... First off let me tell you, the smell is also very strong! Of course nail polish is already sort of a strong unpleasant smell to most. But I typically dont mind it... This polish however was strong even for me! It sort of smelled like spray paint or plastic pool toys.

This polish also has a super thick formula, which I assume is to really help hold the sprinkles. I kind of liked that it is thick, I feel that it held up against chipping because of its thick formula. The downside is that because its so thick it takes a LONG time to dry. So even after an 30-45 minutes my nails were still dentable, and did in fact dent. :( Also, when the polish does dry it sort of dries to a plastic or vinyl like looking finish. And even though it had a plastic like look to it, it wasnt like other polishes that are plastic-like and peel off real easy like. This held real strong.

Now, as for the sprinkles or caviar beads... I was SHOCKED at how well they stayed. I had a couple friends say they tried this caviar nail look (another brand) and their beads fell off after a day. :( So I was expecting the same for these. In the keek video below you can see my Mani after 3 days, having endured hair washing, dish washing, and every day wear and tear... 

Feb 25, 2014 | #rockstarnails update! how it's held up! see full review on my blog today! by agapelovegirl on Keek.com

To my surprise the beads and even the polish held up amazingly! Again I have a feeling the thick formula of the polish really helps to grip and hold those beads VERY well. ALSO I did a clear top coat of polish over the beads. I did not add the top coat over the polish, because like I said it was very thick and I didn't want to add more polish over it till it dried all the way.... Which ended up being so long that I didn't even add a top coat to it at all. Again, the polish still held up very well without it, so it was really needed. 

Over all I think Roackstar Nails is amazing quality.... And am extremely pleased with the long lasting results of my mani! So much so, in fact that I actually ordered MORE for myself, and a few extra for some friends! ♥ Now if you are curious what else came in my February Beauty Box 5 package, you can watch my unboxing video:

Over all I thought that this Feb BB5 package was great! 

If you are interested in signing up for BB5, check out the sneak peek for March:

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Much Love & Hugs,

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Dramatic Glitter Eye Tutorial

Hello Beauty Babes, and happy Makeup Monday to you! Makeup Monday is a fun linky party dedicated to all things beauty. ♥ If you are a beauty blogger/vlogger/instagrammer please feel free to link up any and all of your posts related to Makeup & Beauty!

Today for Makeup Monday, I have a stunning look to share with you! I wore this look on Valentines day, and got so many compliments. People literally looking at me in awe. The waitress admitted to not wanting to take her eyes off me. haha I felt oh so glamorous!  I loved it so much, I decided I would create a video tutorial for you gals to show you how I created it... See that video below.

Yes, this look is super dramatic, and may even be a little scary for some of you! When I first had the idea for this look and started putting the makeup on, even I was nervous it wouldn't turn out! I was looking all kinds of crazy before the look was completed... As you will see in the video! BUT the look comes together VERY nicely when its complete...

My advice for you, when creating a dramatic eye look is work with your own eye shape. The way I apply eye shadow on my own eyes works great for my eye shape. You may need to bring your crease higher or lower... Or add more or even less shadow than I do. Just play around until you find what works and looks best with your eye shape. Also, I personally like these colors on me, but you can also use neutral colors too! Use what ever colors you feel comfortable with, or colors you think look best on YOU! 

Ok so if you are interested in how to get this dramatic glitter eye look, I did a full video tutorial for you!

Details on this look:

MBA Shadow Poxy (Primer)

MBA Shadow Twink
MBA Shadow Tickled Pink
MBA Shadow Sky Dancer

MBA Glitter, Foil & Line Serum
MBA Cosmetic Glitter Cozumel

Find My Beauty Addiction Products here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyBeautyAddiction
http://mybeautyaddiction.com/

Earrings: Forever 21

If you create this look, I'd love to see how it turns out! Share a photo of my facebook page, or put it in a blog post and link it up to Makeup Monday!

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Now its your turn to share YOUR beauty posts!!
Please be kind and visit/comment one or two (or more) other links. 
This link up is for makeup/beauty related posts only!
This includes but not limited to beauty reviews, how-to's, hauls, giveaways, mani's, and look inspirations.
If you do not have a blog, but showcase beauty elsewhere like instagram or flicker,
you are still welcome to link up as well, please just link to a specific photo, though, not your whole account! :) 

Also, be sure to Subscribe to the Makeup Monday newsletter if you want to stay up to date about the link up, features, challenges and giveaways! 

RULES:  1. Link to a specific Blog Post, not your entire blog 
If you do not have a blog, feel free to link to an instagram or flicker photo! 
2. Please grab a button to add to your blog/blog post or link back to Makeup Monday 
3.* Follow your hosts Agape Love Designs & Wink for Pink    
4.* Tweet about this linky using hashtag #MakeupMonday and Tag @mariagridley

*Not Mandatory but appreciated

 

<a href="http://www.agapelovedesigns.com/search/label/Makeup%20Monday%20Linky" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l539/AgapeLoveDesigns/makeupmondayagape_zps4df9972a.png" border="0" alt="Makeup Monday"/></a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Much Love & Hugs,

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Spring Fashion Inspiration

Who is excite that Spring is almost here!? For me, here in Cali, it feels like we just bypassed winter all together and went right into spring for the most part... For those of you on the other side of the country, you're probably shoutin' Amen - bring on a NEW season already!!

Well whether the weather in your neck of the woods has been nice and sunny, or cold and dreary... I think we can all agree it will be nice for Winter to be over! Am I right? ;) Since I'm already catching Spring fever, I thought I would put together some Spring Fashion Inspiration, from some fabulous sites!

Right now I'm totally loving clothes and shoes in bright fun colors, like coral and turquoise, as well as big bold prints, with some neutral accessories.

I used to get Spiegel/New Port News catalogs in the mail, and always admired the lovely sophisticated fashions they offered. Recently I discovered Spiegel online, and am swooning over these stunning statement dresses, that would be perfect for spring. I'm also loving the classic solid color staple pieces they offer as well.

Now this next site I recently came across and literally had a jaw dropping moment. TaylorSays combines my love for high heels and beautiful unique art! When you check out TaylorSays you will feel like you died and went to High Heel Heaven. Ok so the prices are way out of my budget, but a girl can dream right!? How perfect would some of these heels be for Spring (Or ANY time, really)!?

Lastly, lets talk accessories! I'm thinking that having gorgeous colorful shoes or dresses, will call for accessories that are a little more neutral... So here are a few great neutral accessories to add into any bright and bold outfit. PLUS a couple super cute statement pieces, as well, to spice up a solid print. All of these great accessory finds below are from one of my very favorite places to shop.... Why, Maurices, of course!

 What fashion trends are thinking will be perfect for this Spring!?
Which of my Spring Fashion picks do you think you would rock this Spring?

Much Love & Hugs,

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New Favorite

If you know my style at all by now, you probably know that I am sort of blazer obsessed. My motto for fashion tends to be either "When in doubt, throw on a blazer!" or "When in doubt, add a belt!" Belts are another story... They took me quite a long time to get used to wearing and loving.

Blazers on the other hand... Ahh, when it comes to fashion, they make me swoon. I have a few blazers in my closet. But there is one in particular you have all seen show up in several of my outfit posts, (most recently here) because its just my favorite. I know I have been needing to find another one, because I do wear that other one SO much.

Not that I'm one of those people who can only wear something once, before its not cool to wear anymore... OBVIOUSLY I am not! haha Still I didn't want to wear it out... And though I have found other blazers I like, and wear every so often, I always go back to my good old favorite. 

However, I think I have finally found a NEW FAVORITE! This floral beauty has been in my possession for a little less than a month, and I have already worn it 6 times. No joke. I love it. Love the colors, love the style and fit and I LOVE how it can turn a plain shirt and pair of jeans into something a little more fun and dressy. I am sure you will see this little beauty in many future outfit posts... Just warning you. ;)

The other great thing about it? I got it while it was on sale. SCORE! 

Tell me about your favorite item of clothing?

Do you tend to be like me and wear it till its worn out?

What Im Wearing: 

Top:  Walmart

Blazer: Forever 21

Heels: Maurices

Earrings: c/o Litva's Jewelry

Lashes: c/o Esqido Mink Lashes

See Details on this Makeup Look {here}.

Much Love & Hugs,

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Linking up to Pleated Poppy, Translantic Blonde, Style Sessions, Watch What Im Wearing,
Wardrobe Wednesday, Real Girl Glam, Because Shanna Said So, My Style Monday, Passion for Fassion, Casual Fridays, Fashion Friday, GM Fashion Fri, Real Mom Style, Desire to Inspire

Ultimate Blogger Giveaway!

Hey beautiful friends, thanks for stopping by today. ♥ My girl Angie of My So Called Chaos, is celebrating her 5th bloggiversary! Wow! Thats awesome! To help her celebrate, I have teamed up with her and a handful of other amazing bloggers to offer you a HUGE blog related giveaway!  You could win Ad space, blog design, planners, marketing and much more!

There are a total of THREE blogging-related prize packs that you can possibly win!  See the details for each prize pack below, and you will find the rafflecopter widget to enter at the very end. Good luck, and happy blogging!

PRIZE PACK 1:

Prize Pack 1 includes all of the above for a value of roughly $423!

Winner's outside the US will get all of the digital goods and a $20 Amazon/Paypal credit for the books.

PRIZE PACK 2:

Prize Pack 2 includes all of the above for a value of roughly $178!

Winner's outside the US will get all of the digital goods and a $20 Amazon/Paypal credit for the books.

PRIZE PACK 3:

Prize Pack 3 includes all of the above for a value of roughly $73!

Winner's outside the US will get all of the digital goods and a $20 Amazon/Paypal credit for the books.

Enter the Giveaway

Giveaway is open worldwide and ends 3/4/2014

All prizes will be sent directly from shop/source/sponsor.

Winners in the US can choose to have the physical books or Kindle versions.

Winner's outside the US will receive all digital items (not including books) & a $20 Amazon Credit.

Entering the Rafflecopter below agrees to all Terms & Conditions within.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Much Love & Hugs,

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