Waking up in the morning isn't easy for everyone unless, of course, you're blessed with being a morning person. Waking up in the morning is especially hard because it's winter and if you're like me, you want to stay snuggled up in bed all day. But, like all people, we have things to do and people to see.

One of my little morning "hacks" is to set my alarm with a calming, mellow, good-vibe song.  I always choose a song that starts off slow and then builds up to help to get me up!

For my trusty blog readers, I've come up with a list of 30 songs that will help you to wake up happier!  But, before I tell you the songs, I will tell you how to first set your alarm to be a song. Say goodbye to those gut-wrenching beeps and ringtones. These steps solely apply to iPhone users (sorry Android and other cell phone users). First step is to go to your alarms on your phone. Next, press the "+" sign in the top righthand corner. Next, go down to "sound" and click "pick a song"! Yep, it's that easy!

Okay now we can get to the songs :)

Here they are:
1. Banana Pancakes- Jack Johnson
2. Good Day Sunshine- The Beatles
3. Put Your Records On- Corinne Bailey Rae
4. Home- Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes
5. Dreams- Fleetwood Mac
6. Summer Wind- Frank Sinatra
7. I'm Yours- Jason Mraz
8. Ordinary People- John Legend
9. Somewhere Over the Rainbow- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
10. Imagine- John Lennon
11. Gravity- John Mayer
12. Everything I Am- Kanye West
13. All Falls Down- Kanye West
14. Sunday Morning- Maroon 5
15. One Day- Matisyahu
16. Everything- Michael Bublé
17. Love Today- Mika
18. Don't Know Why- Norah Jones
19. Sunrise- Norah Jones
20. For The Summer- Ray Lamontagne
21. Californication- Red Hit Chili Peppers
22. All For You- Sister Hazel
23. Meet Virginia- Train
24. Toes- Zac Brown Bands
25. Three Little Birds- Bob Marley
26. No Rain- Blind Melon 
27. Bullet and A Target- Citizen Cope
28. Son's Gonna Rise- Citizen Cope
29. Bubbly- Colbie Caillat 
30. Beautiful World- Coldplay

I hope you all ditch your boring alarms and get a song that will make you happy when you wake up on these cold, dark winter mornings!

Let me know what songs you love to wakeup to! Comment below!

Waking up in the morning isn't easy for everyone unless, of course, you're blessed with being a morning person. Waking up in the morning is especially hard because it's winter and if you're like me, you want to stay snuggled up in bed all day. But, like all people, we have things to do and people to see.

One of my little morning "hacks" is to set my alarm with a calming, mellow, good-vibe song.  I always choose a song that starts off slow and then builds up to help to get me up!

For my trusty blog readers, I've come up with a list of 30 songs that will help you to wake up happier!  But, before I tell you the songs, I will tell you how to first set your alarm to be a song. Say goodbye to those gut-wrenching beeps and ringtones. These steps solely apply to iPhone users (sorry Android and other cell phone users). First step is to go to your alarms on your phone. Next, press the "+" sign in the top righthand corner. Next, go down to "sound" and click "pick a song"! Yep, it's that easy!

Okay now we can get to the songs :)

Here they are:
1. Banana Pancakes- Jack Johnson
2. Good Day Sunshine- The Beatles
3. Put Your Records On- Corinne Bailey Rae
4. Home- Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes
5. Dreams- Fleetwood Mac
6. Summer Wind- Frank Sinatra
7. I'm Yours- Jason Mraz
8. Ordinary People- John Legend
9. Somewhere Over the Rainbow- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
10. Imagine- John Lennon
11. Gravity- John Mayer
12. Everything I Am- Kanye West
13. All Falls Down- Kanye West
14. Sunday Morning- Maroon 5
15. One Day- Matisyahu
16. Everything- Michael Bublé
17. Love Today- Mika
18. Don't Know Why- Norah Jones
19. Sunrise- Norah Jones
20. For The Summer- Ray Lamontagne
21. Californication- Red Hit Chili Peppers
22. All For You- Sister Hazel
23. Meet Virginia- Train
24. Toes- Zac Brown Bands
25. Three Little Birds- Bob Marley
26. No Rain- Blind Melon 
27. Bullet and A Target- Citizen Cope
28. Son's Gonna Rise- Citizen Cope
29. Bubbly- Colbie Caillat 
30. Beautiful World- Coldplay

I hope you all ditch your boring alarms and get a song that will make you happy when you wake up on these cold, dark winter mornings!

Let me know what songs you love to wakeup to! Comment below!

Through all of the trials and tribulations in life, there's one things that you know to be true: the perfect ratio. I believe that life is about learning through and from our experiences. Ratios are one of theses learned parts whether we're conscious of it or not. Through our lives, we've learned the perfect ratios.

Life is knowing the perfect peanut butter-to-jelly ratio. Life is knowing the perfect conditioner-to-hair ratio. Life is knowing the perfect chip-to-salsa ratio (or better yet, guacamole <-- my recipe here).


























Next time you're down on yourself and you think you don't know much, just think: you know the perfect ratio for your cereal-to-milk.

Gum is a great little sidekick to have on your health journey. It's not just so you have great fresh breath, but that's definitely a bonus :)

Here's why:

1. Keeps your mouth from drying out: When I workout, especially during cardio, I have a piece of gum in my mouth. When I run, I don't quite have the "in through your nose and out through your mouth" breathing technique down. I'm more of a "in through your mouth and out through your mouth" kind of person. For better or worse, the solution to that, for me, is gum! It keeps your mouth salivating and moist. This helps because you aren't constantly grabbing for your water bottle and trying to drink it while running (I usually end up spilling it all over myself- not cute). I find the best flavor to chew is peppermint- sorry to all the spearmint fans out there. Through my experience,  spearmint dries out my mouth. My fav gum is: 5 Gum Cobalt!

2. Keeps you from snacking: I find that when I have a piece of gum in my mouth, I don't snack. It keeps your brain stimulated so you're not thinking about food. It's kind of a brain trick! The best thing to do when you're feeling the urge to snack is pop a piece of gum in your mouth. I know for me, I don't like to waste a piece of gum and the fresh flavor. Try this the next time you are feeling the urge!

P.S. I know Extra Gum makes different dessert flavored gum. So if you have a sweet tooth try them! Or just eat some fruit :)

3. Helps you to study: Okay, I know this isn't a fit tip, but it is a tip that people should know about! There have been numerous studies out there that show that chewing gum while studying helps you to remember information. Chewing helps to stimulate your brain in ways that just studying can't do. Chewing gum during a test after you chewed it while studying helps you to remember more.

After these tips, you're gonna be one smart hottie- the best of both worlds! If you have any other tips for gum comment below! Have a great week, everyone!

Shoutout to my extremely patient boyfriend for taking this pic! Love you, Anthony!

1. Have a reason: Getting to the gym is the first step and sometimes the hardest. Having a reason to go makes it a lot easier to get there. This goes along with one of my 8 Tips for A Healthier You. That tip is to have goals. No matter how big or small, having a goal gives you a reason to get to the gym. I know for me whenever I didn't want to go to the gym or just loathed the idea of working out for whatever reason, I would get myself there and kill the workout.

2. Have a plan: Have a plan for when you get there. Make your own routine. I know a lot of people have their own routines- but it takes time and getting used to. For me, I like to get my cardio out of the way, for a lot of people it's the opposite. Some people like to fill up their water bottle or stretch first. It all depends on you and your level of comfort in the gym. Another thing people use as a resource before going to the gym are gym workouts. You can find these everywhere on the internet. People have devoted their lives and careers to creating these. There are so many resources out there you can use as your tool for success.

3. Look good, feel good: I'm definitely a firm believer in this. Wear clothes that you feel good in or accentuate what you love about your body. Whether its your legs, arms, or booty, love your body love yourself!! Also, invest in clothes and sneakers that are good for you. Don't buy things that are just cute because sometimes they are not sensible (for example: Nike Free sneakers).

4. Be confident: I can't stress this enough. Be proud of yourself for the moves you are making to better yourself and your life. Go to the gym and be confident because no one is looking at you or judging you. Everyone is there for a reason and 9/10 times, it's the same as your reason. Do not be embarrassed. Everyone in the gym had to start somewhere- you're not just magically fit. Keep your head up and do your thing. You'll get there, it just takes time. If you're starting to go to the gym to gain confidence, GOOD but it comes from within, not just from the gym.

5. Eat the right foods: You will not have a good workout if you haven't eaten the right foods beforehand. You body is a vessel. This means that you need to put the right forms of energy into your body in order for it to perform at it's best.  This means having a balanced diet: proteins, carbs, and healthy fats. Foods like chicken, turkey, whole grains, sweet potatoes, salmon, nuts (almonds, peanuts, walnuts), avocado, extra virgin olive oil, etc.

6. The reward:  When you walk out of those gym doors after completing a workout, there's just no better feeling. As I'm sure you've heard from so many sources, working out is a great way to relieve stress. Also, it has been proven that working out releases endorphins that make you happy. These are just a few of the rewards going to the gym and working out offer. It also gives you a sense of pride and self-love. What is a better reward than self-love and confidence? Not much in my book.

I hope that these tips will be used to greater your successes in becoming a healthier you! Comment below with any comments or questions :)

Whether it's a cold day, or a hot day, lemon and hot water is one of my go-tos. There's something about it that just instantly makes me happy. Lemon and hot water are one of my favorite combinations alongside that of: tomato, mozzarella, & basil and navy blue & white. When I want to relax, I will drink hot water and lemon. It has a fantastic taste to it and as an added bonus, it has a copious amount of health benefits!

Here are some of the benefits of lemon and hot water:

• Vitamin C
• Cleanses your digestion system
• Balances pH levels
• Clears your skin
• Enhances your mood
• Hydration 

Target. Yep, you heard that right. Lilly Pulitzer is collaborating with Target for a line due to come out on April 19th. If you're like me and know that Lilly is such an essential to any wardrobe but you have the bank account that is equal to non-existent (or as my father likes to say: you have champagne taste but a beer budget) this is BEYOND exciting.

I hope that this collaboration isn't for things like dishes or napkins (though those would be cute, too). I hope it's affordable Lilly clothes and cute things to organize my life with. But, until then, I'll be here, waiting, and dreaming of the day I walk through the red arches and see Lilly Pulitzer. 

Goodnight, world & sweet dreams.

The New Year means that we all have a fresh, clean slate. We have a new starting ground, so we want to take advantage of it. Many people make their New Years resolution to become healthier or finally lose that weight. Well, you're not alone. Last year, I made the decision to get my health in order. I had always struggled with my weight and body image so, I decided it was time for some change. I can tell you now that that was the best decision I have ever made. I have never been happier with myself. Seeing that you can achieve anything, if you put your heart and soul into it, is the most empowering thing a person can realize.

Throughout this process, I have compiled a few tips that I, myself, have used for the success of my becoming a healthier me.

1. Set Goals: In order to achieve a healthier you, you must have goals and deadlines. Having goals gives you something to work towards and look forward to. Seeing the progress you're making as you get closer to your set goal is the most rewarding feeling.

2. Make Those Goals Within Reason: As everyone knows, you want to have goals that are reasonable. You can't make a goal to lose 30 pounds in a month. Be kind to your body. You will see the rewards of your progress soon enough.

3. Exercise: This one is big. You cannot simply become healthy without exercise. It has so many benefits. Whether those benefits are mental or physical, you are doing your body and self an immense justice. Start small, run a half mile or for three minutes. Don't get frustrated when you see people running forever, you will get there- just be patient. The benefits are worth the temporary pain. Push.

4. Healthy Eating: I am a firm believer that everything we need for our health comes from Mother Earth. Your body is a vessel and it needs the correct fuel in order to run in the best possible way. Feed your body the way it needs to be fed. You will notice a difference, I promise. Also, don't count calories. There are so many diet programs that focus on calories. Don't. Focus on nutrients and whole foods- things that come from the Earth. This approach will be most beneficial.

5. Water: Water water water. Hello, this is huge. Water is SUCH an amazing thing. You must feed your body with water. Everyday, you should be consuming at least 60 fluid ounces of water. That does not include if you work out. I try and drink 120 or more fluid ounces of water daily. This may seem like a lot because it is but your body needs it. Your average water bottle from say Poland Springs or Deer Park is 16.9 fluid ounces. That would mean you would have to drink roughly 7 or 8 water bottles. Also, a side note: if you're drinking from plastic water bottles, be sure to reuse them. Use one a day and refill it 7 or 8 times. Pleas make sure to recycle when you're finished with it. The Earth does her part for you, do your part for her. Another benefit is that water fills you up and it's zero calories. It's the perfect sidekick for your journey.

6. Take Pictures: If you want to see your progress, take pictures. Take them often. It's a real treasure to compare your first day pics to your third week or third month pics. Also, download the a PicStitch app so you can see the comparison side-by-side.

7. Reward Yourself: This one is also a big one. As you adjust to your new lifestyle, don't forget to reward yourself. If you have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of healthy eats that can cure that sweet tooth- dark chocolate, peanut butter, coffee, tea. I'm not saying to always give into cravings, but don't torture yourself. Be kind to your body.

8. Positivity: Positivity is SO important. This is something that really helps me on my continuous journey, everyday. Give it out and get it- it's that simple. If you're negative, you don't get too far in life. No one likes a Debbie Downer. Please, if you take anything away from this post, be it that you give this world good energy because everything comes back around. Being positive changes your mindset to a "can do" mindset. That will help you in this journey. Be a positive light in this world.

Being healthy is a lifelong journey- it's not just something you do for a day, week, month, or year. When you make a resolution to become healthy, the best thing you can do is to change your lifestyle and have it become just another part of your day.

Please remember that health is not defined through the scale- it is about feeling good about yourself and treating your body right.