Motivational Monday: New Nike Flyknit Lunars

Happy Motivational Monday! Today I am so excited about introducing you { if you haven't seen these babes already } to the new Nike Flyknit Lunar 1 sneaks!!! They are so beautiful! There are 4 different color schemes and obvi my favorite is the pink, but they have neutrals as well if you're not into the neons. I am a Nike girl through and through when it comes to running shoes. I have tried a lot and always come back to them: preferably these. If you're in the market for new workout/running shoes, def check out these new Nikes!

Some info from the website:
"Designed for runners with a neutral gait, the Nike Flyknit Lunar 1+ is an ultra-lightweight running shoe that delivers a dynamic fit with an excellent blend of cushioning and support. A one-piece upper with knit construction is made of polyester yarns that seamlessly integrate areas of high breathability, stretch, and support where you need it most. Flywire technology is ultra-lightweight, customizable through the laces, and wraps the foot for a dynamic fit. Low-profile knit tongue adds ventilation and comfort. Fitsole sockliner conforms to the shape of your foot, providing comfort and underfoot support. Pull-tab on the heel allows for easy on and off. Reflective elements remain visible in low-light conditions. Lunarlon cushioning system features a soft, yet resilient foam core that works with a supportive, bottomless foam carrier to provide support and plush, responsive cushioning. The firmer carrier foam core offers lightweight, springy response. Duralon blown rubber forefoot lugs deliver cushioning and helps encourage a more efficient, natural range of motion through toe-off. Flex groves add enhanced articulation flexibility, and a smooth transition. BRS 1000™ carbon rubber along the heel contact zone gives maximum abrasion resistance and long-wearing durability. Wt. 6.6 oz."

xx
e

Motivational Monday

 Happy MM everyone! This Monday I want to talk about something I have been pondering lately, and that is 'perspective'. I think as we get older we become a little wiser and obvi more experienced in life, and the past few months it has been very refreshing for me to get some perspective on where I've been and where I want to go. I feel as though I am in a transition phase in my life, kind of like in limbo. Are any of you feeling the same way?? I am just starting my career which is fantastic and I get to help people everyday, which is very rewarding and I am definitely a "giver" more so than "receiver" and I really enjoy helping even if it is in such a small way. So there's that whole thing, but I know that I want so much more out of my life. I want to laugh everyday, find my soulmate who I will be lucky enough to spend everyday of my life with, travel the world, meet new people, eat amazing food, and most of all be happy every.single.day. I mean is that so much to ask for?! Haha, maybe so but I am only on this beautiful Earth once { that I know of :) } so I am going to try with every fiber of my being to literally take a step back everyday and just feel the love surrounding me. I think if you, like me, were in a 5+ year relationship at some point in your life it can really distract you from so many other things.
{ Or if your like a serial dater, which I am NOT at ALL! haha }
I forgot about MY life and now that I look back I have no regrets but it just makes your realize how much you take for granted. Or perhaps it is just this transition phase that has me all philosophical on y'all. I am really enjoying the time I have spent on me and my soul these last few months. I really hope I don't ever forget how this moment feels. Either way, I want to remember my life in a way that I can leave this world saying damn, I really lived, not just.....lived.

And so I leave you with some inspirational and motivational quotes that hopefully give you some perspective as well :D
Did I just get too personal??? Haha

{ great perspective }

:)

xx
e

Motivational Monday: Polar FT40

Happy Motivational Monday everyone! Today I am going to talk about one of my Christmas presents the Polar FT40 heart rate watch. Sooooo I have seen this watch on quite a few insta ladies I follow and  I have wanted one for a long time! So I was surprised by Santa and this lovely watch was mine! It is so cool and comfortable on your wrist. I obvi had to have white since I am obsessed with all things white  { macbook, car, phone, etc. } haha.
But for reals, this is my new favorite tool. I cant wait to wear it to the gym. So far I have been using it for my at home workouts and running.

How it Works:
First you have to wet the electrodes on the part that goes under your sports bra/boobies. Then you start your exercise on the watch and it tracks your heart rate through that { as you can see below }. When your workout is over, you click it to stop that workout and you can scroll through and see calories burned, max/min heart rate, % of each calorie that was fat burned, etc. It is pretty cool.

One Complaint?
That they make a smaller band for around your bust!!!! Mine is on the tightest it can go and somehow she still seems loose. Anyone know if they make smaller bands? I guess it's not that big of a deal its just kinda annoying. But so far I have no problems with this watch and am super excited to see how it fares at the gym when I get my membership { still working on that }.

Do any of you have this watch or another Polar watch?? What are your thoughts on it?

xx
e

Motivational Monday

First off, I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas Eve! Today, and tomorrow are all about being with family and those you love. I want to thank everyone who has supported me in life, in this blog, and anywhere else! I am so thankful to be surrounded by love each and every day. The most important thing in life is love; our lives are spent searching for it, finding it, keeping it, losing it, and doing it all over again. The holiday season always reminds me of this even though its something that should be thought about every day, all year long. The events that have happened in the last couple weeks and even in my own personal life, remind me that life is a gift and sooo precious. So please, remind the people in your life you love them because you never know what kind of battles they are fighting.

[[ Pomosa, perfect Christmas Eve or Christmas day cocktail ]]

[[ Christmas Eve in Berlin ]]

I am wishing everyone a wonderful & magical Christmas Eve!

xx

e

Motivational Monday

It is the official last full week before Christmas!!! How are you all preparing?? I still have some shopping to do, BTW if you do too Sephora is offering free shipping! on orders of just $25 with code RMNSHIP. But hurry, it ends TODAY!!

This week is going to be busy, so I won't be posting too much but follow me on Instagram @naturallyem to keep up with my daily pics! I post there a lot and it's much easier to connect with you there when I am super busy! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday week filled with friends, family, and love. My heart goes out to those in Newtown, pray for their families this season. I can't even imagine what they are going through.
I hope everyone is staying healthy these next couple weeks. Its going to be very hard, but worth it in the end! Just add a couple more workouts to your routine to combat those extra cals.
 I hope to have a Tarte review coming soon since I have found a couple new products I love and can't wait to share. Sorry this is a random MM but hopefully you understand! Here's a few pics to keep you inspired!! xxxx

{{ Got me some new UA Cold Gear <----Under $50! }}

{{ Yummy cocktail idea }}

{{ Who doesn't love some great ab motivation?? }}

{{ Great Quote }}

{{ LOVE me some Joe haha }}

Have a fab week everyone!

xx

e

Motivational Monday: Eating Healthy During the Holidays

Yikes!! What a challenge this is.
With all that fatty food, cholesterol, and calorie filled meals, its no wonder people get (as I call them) "Christmas bellies" in the winter!!! The average weight gain [[ in December alone is 4-5 lbs ]]
To me, that is insanity!!!!!

This year, I am going to be very, very smart about what/how much I eat. I have always been food conscious but this year will be different since I have amped up all my routines! I hope you all can use some of these tips I've compiled for you. Or heck, maybe you already do these things and are ahead of the game.

1. Exercise Regularly
The may seem like the total opposite of what you actually want to do, but I promise it will help! It will give you more energy and burn off all of those extra holiday cals.

2. Prepare Yourself for Outings:
If you know you are going out to a holiday party, or even just out with friends to a bar or whatever, remember to prepare! As in, eat healthy beforehand. It will keep you from overeating as well as eating the wrong things. Especially if you plan on drinking too its always good to have something in that belly!

3. Moderation, moderation:
I believe this is the key to {{ EVERYTHING! }} I know you want two pieces of pie, but just have one, your stomach will thank you in the morning! Overeating tends to make people sluggish so I never overeat and I am even more aware of it during the holidays.

4. No really, you don't have to clear your plate
Some people feel obliged to clear the plate as they say, but really just eat what you want and leave the rest. I promise, no one will even notice.

5. Be Mindful
Mingling at holiday outings can be a disaster! There are finger foods >everywhere< and when people tend to get nervous or bored guess what?! They EAT! So just be mindful of what goes in your mouth, and why.

6. MOVE!
Move, move, move! Keep moving at events. As in, walk around! Don't stay too long in one spot, burn some cals if you can!!

So, those are my tips. Do any of you have any other healthy holiday tips? I hope some of these help you in the upcoming days/weeks!

xx
e

Motivational Monday

Happy < holiday week > MM y'all! Todays motivation will be about being thankful for what we have in our lives. I think at some point, as you get older you really start realizing what's important. I want to challenge you all to think of 5 things you are thankful for [and write them down!] I try and do this every week regardless, but it is Thanksgiving week so I want you all to do it too. You can leave me a comment, write it down on a sticky note and hang it in your bathroom to see every morning, I mean whatever forces you to look at it! And everyday, I want you all to read out those 5 things and really reflect on them, just for a couple minutes a day.

I think in our world today, we all tend to forget what we have because we are soooo caught up in things we want or things we want to achieve. I admit I have been a victim of this too!!! And I know you have too whether you want to admit it or not! Either way, everyone has something to be thankful for.
So here are my 5 things...

1. My family: Who has always loved and supported me unconditionally(and always will!).
2. This Blog: Silly? No. It has allowed me to be creative in a way I never thought possible! I hope to inspire at least one of you with my stories and advice.
3. Our Country: Although we may not all have the same political opinions {ughhh I hate politics} we all share the same love for our unified country. Land of the free...
4. This Life: Each and every one of us is here for a reason. Maybe you aren't sure of your purpose yet but I promise you, once you realize it, your life will be forever changed.
5. LOVE: Because without it, well, this life would not be worth living.

I hope you all have a wonderful week filled with love, family, friends, good food/drinks, and happiness.

xx
e

Motivational Monday

Happy MM! I am going to show you some of my favorite healthy Pinterest soups! Recipes will be linked underneath the photos. 

Cilantro and Quinoa Soup

Garden Veggie Soup

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

Turkey, Kale, Brown Rice Soup

It's that soup time of year and I love all of these recipes above. Of course, you can substitute if you don't like or can't eat some of these ingredients but they are all amazing! I plan on making some of these this week. It's getting chilly out!

xx

e

Motivational Monday 3

Happy Motivational Monday! Let's get this week started off right and on a positive note.
But first I want to wish those in hurricane Sandy's path safety from the storm!
Today's MM is about being yourself. I think everyone out there has struggled at some point with staying true to themselves when the world wants us to constantly change. It is important to always be reminded that each and every one of us is unique and special.
Never stop being YOU!

xx
e

Motivational Monday 2

Todays Motivational Monday is all about being healthy. Eating right and exercise is a daily part of my life. And if you follow me in Instagram: NaturallyEm, then you know I do indulge sometimes (hello cupcakes!) but all in moderation! I hope that these pictures will inspire you to start this week of healthy and happy!

Happy Motivational Monday!
xx
e

Motivational Monday

Mondays are rough on everyone and I think it's best if we all start our weeks with a good inspirational quote or two. I find that if I read these and really try to apply them to my life I am much happier. So I hope to inspire you all on this Monday!

xx

e