Things I'm currently obsessed with!

Hiya!

I just finished my first week of junior year! yay! I hope you all had a great week. I'm so excited to be writing about the things I am finding myself really obsessed with right now. Everything below is products that I currently use and I recommend to all of you! 

                                                                Redken Color Extend:

This is the new shampoo I have been using lately and I am loving this stuff! Every hair dresser I have talked to has told me that this stuff is liquid gold! It does a really good job on protecting your color and making your hair really soft :) major bonus for me! 

 

Kraft Mac and Cheese:

Mac and Cheese is my favorite food of all time! I literally could eat one box a day! 

This product is pretty self explanatory!

Almay Clear Complexion Blemish Heal Technology Concealer. 

This is the new concealer that I have been using and wow this stuff is the real deal!

I always had a hard time finding a concealer that matched my skin color and this was spot on!

I use it on all of my problem spots and it hides your blemishes while also making them go away!

Sometimes I will wear this overnight :p

Mason Jars:

You can use mason jars for anything! I'm not joking! I have a ton of these things all over my room!

I use them to store my coin collection and also hold my life savers mints! 

They are so decorative and you can purchase them at grocery stores!

Check out my Pinterest for some fun crafts to do with mason jars!

Razor Back Tank Tops:

I have an under armour tank that I love to wear! They are so comfortable and easy to workout in!

I like to pair them with yoga pants or just plain sweats!

It's an Easy and comfortable look!

Nike and Under Armour is where I get mine!

Tiffany Blue Nike Free 3.0 V4:

I WANT THESE SO BAD! I will actually be purchasing them very soon and I can't wait!

The color is so pretty and based off Tiffany and Co.

These are really rare to find so I hope I can snag a pair in my size!

Word Swag App:

I use this app to add awesome typography to my pictures that I post on instagram! 

It gets really addicting so be careful!

Water: 

I drink easily 10 glasses of water a day! The only other drink I will consume is milk and gatorade. 

I feel so much better and more energized when I have drank a whole lot of water.

It's a necessity to drink a lot of water for me.

Pinterest:

I literally spend all of my time on this website if I'm not at school, doing homework or spending time with my boyfriend. I get so so many ideas for everything on this website!

I can't wait to try some of the crafts I have found on this site!

Body Pillow:

I purchased a body pillow a few days ago and I do not regret it! Its perfect propping yourself up on your bed to read a book or surf the internet. It's also good for back support and hip support!

Starbucks:

DUH! I don't even have to explain this one! 

I'll stop here! Thanks for reading! 

-Karissa

Motivation Station: Today's Equipment? Pinterest!

Hiya!

I just started school this week and wow I am swamped! Four advanced classes and 3 of them are college courses! I promise that even tough I have a touch schedule, I will have time to post for you all. 

Today's topic is under my new chapter called "Motivation Station". Im really excited for my new chapter because I will be able to show you easy motivation and how to have fun while trying to get back in your workout groove! No more boring workouts and silly routines. Here is how you can get fired up about shaping the new you or just spicing things up a bit. 

Recently I have a new addiction to Pinterest! OMG IT'S AMAZING! This will be our "equipment" for the day! 

Here is what you can do:

• -If you don't have Pinterest, GET IT NOW! YOU ARE MISSING OUT!
• -Start a "Board" and title it whatever your want. For instance mine is "Fitness". 
• -Starting surfing! Find things that speak to you! There are tons of workouts and activities that you can do. When you find something you like, PIN IT!
• -After you have created a "Board" of about 15 or more pins, here is when you start "spicing things up".
• -Start going in whatever order you want (top to bottom, bottom to top etc..) and do that workout you have posted. Each day you will have a new pin to do which will keep you more engaged into your workout. I think of it like a "flash challenge" each day is different so how could you get bored?! The key to not getting bored of a workout is MIXING IT UP! Try new things! Engage new parts of your body and push it! 

If you aren't the Pinterest type person try these!:

• - One pound of fat is 3,500 calories. If you want to loose weight, just burn 500 calories a day more than you eat and you will loose 1 pound a week. FITNESS IS SCIENCE, NOT MAGIC! 

• - Put a dollar in a jar for every time you complete a workout when you reach a certain goal, say 100 dollars, treat yourself to a massage or a new pair of jeans!

• - Wear neon colors while working out. Studies have shown that when wearing bright colors during a workout, your body increases adrenaline! 

• - Think of your workouts as meetings you have scheduled with yourself. Bosses don't cancel. 

• - Think from new perspective. A one hour workout is just 4% percent of your day. 

• - Take sticky notes and write motivational saying on them and stick them on the treadmill or at your desk so you can see them everyday.

These are just a few of many types of motivational techniques that you can use today! Get on that computer, get to that Pinterest and START GETTING YOUR MOTIVATION ON!

Have a great day:)

-Karissa

(Follow me on my Pinterest, Karissa Stockham)

The Nail Doctor: What Your Nails Are Telling You!

Hiya!

Okay what girl does not love to get her nails done!? most importantly what person does not love to have healthy nails in general. Sadly, we live in a world where every inch of us is judge. Many business workers and people in jobs are supposed to be clean and "rich" looking all over. One of the most important parts of the body that is expected to look clean and professional is the nails. You use your hands every day! It's very important to have healthy and beautiful nails for every day life. Our nails become distressed and our hands become dry; They tend to crack and nails become thin. What does this all mean?! Here are some indicators of what your nails are telling you!

Wasting away of Nails; Nail loses luster and becomes smaller, Injury or disease

Thickened Nail Plate: Poor circulation; fungal infection; heredity; mild, persistent trauma to the nail 

Pitted Nails sometimes yellow-to=brown: Eczema or psoriasis; hair loss condition 

Very soft Nails: Contact with strong alkali; malnutrition; endocrine problems; chronic arthritis 

Spoon shaped Nails: Iron deficiency; thyroid disease 

Clublike Nails - swollen finger ends: Chronic respiratory or heart problems; cirrhosis of the liver 

Horizontal ridges: Injury; infection; nutrition 

Longitudinal ridges: Aging, poor absorption of vitamins and minerals; thyroid disease; kidney failure 

Colorless: May indicate anemia. 

Red or deep pink: Can indicate a tendency to poor peripheral circulation. 

Yellow: Could indicate fungus, diabetes, psoriasis, use of tetracycline, or heredity. 

White, crumbly, soft: May be a result of a fungus infection 

No Moons: Possible underactive thyroid; genetics 

Overlarge Moons: Possible Overactive thyroid; genetics; self-induced trauma (habit tick) 

Complete loss of Nail: Trauma 

Nail Plate Loose: Injury; nail psoriasis; fungal or bacterial infections; medicines; chemotherapy; thyroid disease; Raynaud’s phenomenon; lupus 

Brittle, split Nails: Nail dryness, nails in contact with irritating substances (detergents, chemicals, polish remover); silica deficiency 

Pale, brittle nails, spoon-shaped or with ridges down the length - can signify anemia; this lack of iron can be due to inadequate nutrition 

Thick, distorted fingernails can signify a fungal condition: If you have a fungal infection distorted fingernails could also be due to arterial sclerosis, so see your health care conditioner to rule that out. 

Clubbed fingernails can signify a problem with your blood flow. See your health care practitioner. 

White spots on your nails - is often due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency. 

Brittle and lifting easily from your nail beds, along with dry skin, always feeling cold and hair falling out - could indicate a problem with your thyroid gland; 

Excessively flexible nails, may signify deficiency of calcium and sometimes protein. 

Infected Nails: RED, TENDER, SWOLLEN, PUS: Bacterial or yeast infection 

Whitish hue at base of fingernails, may signify liver trouble. If it's a matter of cleansing your liver, taking milk thistle (silymarin) capsules, available at your health food store; 

Splinters that don't hurt - could be subacute bacterial endocarditis, a very serious condition. See your health care practitioner immediately! 

Purple or black: Usually due to trauma, or may also be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. 

Bluish nails - probably means you aren't getting enough oxygen; combined with a cough and shortness of breath means heart failure or chronic lung trouble and you should see you health care practitioner; 
A Brown or Black streak:, that begins at the base of the nail and extends to its tip could be a diagnostic clue to a potentially dangerous melanoma. See your healthcare provider.

Take care of your nails because they really are important to you and your health. :)

-Karissa

Health: Earl Grey Tea

Hiya!

Recently my mother has become obsessed with Earl Grey Tea. I decided to try it this morning and WOW IT'S DELICIOUS! I knew that tea was very good for our health so I became curious as to what the health benefits of this special tea was:) Here we go! 

Let's start with a little history lesson...shall we
Where did Earl Grey come from? The story goes like this: Earl Grey, former Prime Minister, sent a diplomatic mission to China. One of his envoys saved the life of a Chinese Mandarin. As a thank-you, the Mandarin sent a special tea to Earl Grey, a blend of citrus flavors that made the Prime Minister very very happy. The blend soon became popular in Britain!

The benefits of Earl Grey go beyond the taste. The tea also has medicinal properties that make it a favorite among many.

Earl Grey tea has proven to have many health benefits. Below is some of the benefits that I have found!

Antioxidant. Black tea is a natural and powerful antioxidant, one that has been used for centuries to help promote good health. One cup per day fights off free radicals in the body, which then help stave off things like infection or cancer.

Anti-Depressant. Feeling down? Bergamot is often used to treat depression, and it is a key ingredient of Earl Grey tea. In addition, the warmth of the tea can be soothing, so you get a double-whammy of depression-fighting goodness with every sip.
Fever Reducer. The power of bergamot is also proven to reduce fever, as well as help with things like stomach upset and the flu. Having a cup of this tea when you are feeling under the weather can help.
Relaxant. Sometimes the simple act of drinking tea can be relaxing. Fortunately, the caffeine content of Earl Grey is minimal, so it won't keep you up or make you feel jittery. Some types of Earl Grey have lavender added, and that is known to promote relaxation and serenity.
Disinfectant. Bergamot oil is a natural disinfectant, one that can help fight mild infections. This is especially true if you have some sort of infection in your mouth or throat.
Oral Health Improvement. The antiseptic properties in Earl Grey tea can help freshen your breath and keep your gums healthy. Though drinks from black tea leaves can sometimes stain your teeth, taking good care to brush thoroughly after drinking it can help eliminate that side effect.
Healthy Coffee Alternative. Those who love their coffee but don't like the thought of what that coffee might do to their body can find Earl Grey as a healthy alternative. It's all-natural, and better yet, it has about half the caffeine as a regular cup of coffee. So you get the jolt without the jitters.
Digestive Aid. Earl Grey tea has long been believed to improve digestion. In fact, it has been used often as a way to relieve indigestion, nausea and colic. If you have any intestinal problems, Earl Grey might help. It can even fight urinary tract infections.

www.expertclinic.org

I will definitely will be drinking more of this tea now! It's super delicious and I can't get enough of it! I drink it with my Keurig! 

Have a Great Day and drink your tea! ;)

-Karissa

Skin Care: Coffee Sugar Bath Scrub DIY

Hiya!

Today I decided to get a little crafty and try some new DIY (Do it Yourself) projects while I waited for my boyfriend to get off work. I was on Pinterest when I found this really cool recipe for a DIY Coffee Sugar Bath Scrub. I love coffee so this caught my eye very fast. Here is what I did!

Coffee Bath Sugar Scrub:

What you will need-

-1/2 Cup of Fresh Coffee Grounds of your favorite coffee!
-1/2 of Brown Sugar
-1 Tbs of Coconut Oil
-1/4 Cup of Olive Oil
-Bowl
-Mixing Spoon
-Mason Jar

How to Make-

-Mix Coffee, Brown Sugar, Coconut Oil and Olive Oil together in a mixing bowl 
-After mixing you may add more olive oil if the mix is not "paste like"
-Take your mix and spoon it into a mason jar
-Take your mix into the shower
-Rub your scrub in circular motion all over your body (even face) 
-Rinse well

This recipe is super easy and smells amazing! The benefits of using this scrub on your body has a huge list starting from a natural moisturizer to help the decrease the appearance of cellulite! After using this scrub your skin will literally be glowing! I just used it and wow I look like a brazilian model. The coffee in the scrub adds caffeine to your skin which tightens and firms the skin. You will notice after using this scrub you will be super awake from the caffeine in the coffee. I ditched my long process of putting lotion on my body after the shower because this took care of it all! I am in love with this scrub! Try it out and see what it does for you:) 

Health: Soda Consumption

Hiya!

Soda is big business in today's world and nothing will be slowing it down anytime soon. The revenues of both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo topped 100 billion dollars last year and the number is growing. Very few people go a day without 1 or 2 cans of soda. Although this is very good for companies such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, the consumption of soda is a car wreck waiting to happen not only for you but your health in general. I myself have not had a soda in almost 3 years and I firmly believe that taking soda out of my daily diet has improved my health significantly. The list of side effects that soda has is beyond what you could imagine. If you type as "Coca-Cola facts" in google, you will see more "Coca-Cola side effects" more than anything written about the benefits of the drink. To start things off here is a list of facts about soda consumption and what it will do to your body. Lets start with a scenario:

What happens to Your Body Within an Hour of Drinking a Coke:

Within the first 10 minutes,10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. This is 100 percent of your recommended daily intake, and the only reason you don’t vomit as a result of the overwhelming sweetness is because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor.

Within 20 minutes, your blood sugar spikes, and your liver responds to the resulting insulin burst by turning massive amounts of sugar into fat.

Within 40 minutes, caffeine absorption is complete; your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your livers dumps more sugar into your bloodstream.

Around 45 minutes, your body increases dopamine production, which stimulates the pleasure centers of your brain – a physically identical response to that of heroin, by the way.

After 60 minutes, you’ll start to have a sugar crash.

www.articles.mercola.com

Okay people, this is just ONE HOUR after the consumption of a soda drink. Think about what you are doing to your bodies everyday when you drink that Mt.Dew and Pepsi you oh so love. One can of soda holds your entire recommended daily sugar intake. When you drink 2-3 or more cans a day and you are wondering why you can't loose that extra weight...now your know why. Let's take a look and the top ingredients found in soda drinks. 

Top Ingredients in a Can of Soda.

• Phosphoric Acid: Which can interfere with the body's ability to use calcium, leading to osteoporosis or softening of the teeth and bones.
• Sugar: It is a proven fact that sugar increases insulin levels, which can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, premature aging and many more negative side effects. Most sodas include over 100 percent of the RDA of sugar. Sugar is so bad for your health in so many ways.
• Aspartame: This chemical is used as a sugar substitute in diet soda. There are over 92 different health side effects associated with aspartame consumption including brain tumors, birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders and epilispsy/seizures. ( BTW THIS IS RAT POSION)
• Caffeine: Caffeinated drinks cause jitters, insomnia, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, breast lumps, birth defects, and perhaps some forms of cancer.
• Tap Water: I recommend that everyone avoid drinking tap water because it can carry any number of chemicals including chlorine, trihalomethanes, lead, cadmium, and various organic pollutants. Tap water is the main ingredient in bottled soft drinks.

GROSS YOU ARE DRINKING RAT POISON! How disgusting is that?! Now if you still aren't convinced about the side effects of soda let me hit you with these facts...

1. Soda will increase your cholesterol levels by up to 11%
2. Thanks to the sugar and acid in soda, it is bad for your teeth and causes tooth decay
3. Contributes to weight gain and obesity
4. Drinking soda can increase your risk of having kidney stones
5. Contains phosphoric acid which increases your risk of osteoporosis
6. Causes dehydration and contains pH levels that advance the aging of your skin
7. Studies show that drinking two or more sodas a week increases your risk of developing cancer
8. Drinking too much soda can cause insomnia due to the amount of caffeine
9. The carbonation in soda can cause acid reflux or heartburn
10. According to a 10-year study, individuals who drink two or more sodas a day have a 500 percent waist expansion in comparison to those who do not drink soda!
11. Diet sodas contain the artificial sweetener aspartame which has been shown to cause seizures, migraines, visual problems, anxiety, and other disorders.
12. Mountain Dew, Fresca and other citrus-flavored sodas contain Brominated Vegetable Oil(BVO) which has been banned in over 100 countries but not in the US.  Studies show that BVO, which is a flame retardant, can cause damage to the heart and muscles, liver damage, neurological conditions, and more.
13. Aluminum cans and plastic bottles of some sodas have linings that contain Bisphenol A(BPA) which can cause fertility problems, developmental and behavioral problems in infants and children, heart problems, and other disorders.
14. Increases your risk of diabetes
15. Affects your ability to regulate your appetite

Just one little can of soda does all this damage. I have a confession to make; I love root beer. It was my favorite soda to drink of all time. Since I made the decision to quit and better my health, I am so happy with myself and how good I feel. I noticed instantly that after I quit drinking soda I had alot more energy, I didn't feel sluggish, I had white teeth, my acne healed better, my metabolism boosted and I lost weight. I went from 160 to 140 in just a few months. Taking all of that sugar out of my body was a blessing. I feel like my body was thanking me! Do your body a favor and don't hurt it with harsh soda. Take care of the skin you are living in because you only get one of them! Healthy alternatives to soda is WATER! You can never get enough water in your system! But if water is too bland for your try Gatorade or Powerade; drinks that will aid in hydration. HYDRATION IS KEY! The fastest way to get on the path to a healthy lifestyle is to make the first move and stick with it. Once you make that final decision to not drink another soda than the hard part is over! You can do it:)

-Karissa

Product Reviews! Top 5 Acne Face Products That Will Work For You!

Hiya!

I am a skin fanatic! I hate acne and blemishes so much. I love skin care and shopping for new products to try. Over the past few years here is some products that I have tried myself and have seen success in them. Here we go!

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash:

In my early teen years when my acne started to develop; this was the first product I purchased. It is a very gentle cleanser that is good for all types of skin. I used it in the shower and I don't remember my face ever being dry after washing. The smell is very clean and I feel does a very good job of overall cleansing. When I need to detox my face from all the makeup I was wearing or need a good new start to a skin care routine I use this product for 1-2 weeks. 

Price- $5.49 

Where to Purchase?- Drugstores (Target, Walmart etc)

www.neutrogena.com

Clean & Clean Continuous Control Acne Cleanser:

I started using this product a few months ago and I still use it today. What I really like about this product is that when you are washing your face it starts to create a tingle. In this product is acne medicine that is deposited inside your pores during the washing process. The tingle feeling that you will feel is the pores opening and acne medicine going into your pores and fighting off acne. This product will leave your face dry after use so I recommend using a face moisturizer after cleansing. 

Price- $6.59

Where to Purchase?- Drugstores (Target, Walmart etc)

www.cleanandclear.com

Clarisonic Acne Daily Clarifying Cleanser:

This is the product I am currently using now. This is on my list as one of my favorites because it gets rid of acne QUICK. I use this product with my Clarisonic ARIA and I feel that they pair together well. The product does not leave your face quite as dry but I still use face moisturizer. The smell is also a very clean smell and the color of the cleanser is a baby blue. Inside the product is Vitamin C, Japanese Green Tea and Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract. I will be continuing to use this product. 

Price- $27.00

Where to Purchase?- Clarisonic.com

www.clarisonic.com

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap:

I have found lots of success with Clinique products and I still continue to use them today. Clinique has a process called the 3 Step Cleansing System. It consists of Cleanse, Exfoliate and Moisturize. When using this product with their system I see lots of success. Clinique has different types of products for different types of skin so it is customizable. This cleanser will dry your face out very fast so do not skip the moisturize step with this product! 

Price- $16.50

Where to Purchase?- Clinique.com, Dillards, Macy's, Sephora, Ulta etc. 

www.clinique.com

Clean & Clean Deep Action Cream Cleanser:

My mom bought me this product thinking it was the other clean and clear face wash I have mentioned earlier. I decided to give it a try because I had it so why not! This face cleanser also has a tingle to it just like Clean & Clear Continuous Control. This product comes with acne fighting medicine and also can be used as a make-up remover. It battles deep down into your pores to clean out anything that can irritate or CAUSE ACNE! This product is up there on my list of top favorites. The smell is very desirable and it is in the form of a cream so it's very gentle. This is designed to clean deep into the pores and that is exactly what I feel it does.

Price-$5.49

Where to Purchase?- Drugstores (Target, Walmart etc)

www.cleanandclear.com

There you have it! I firmly believe that these products will help you fight acne and lead you on the path to clean and beautiful skin. Try them out and let me know how they work for you! 

-Karissa