Healthy Lifestyle

Living a healthy lifestyle seems hard to nearly impossible if you're not financially stable and lacking willpower. You have to really want something to make it a reality. Finally after months of eating horribly, drinking sodas, not working out and in return feeling crappy, I decided I really wanted to make a change. Unlike most people, the change was not for the outside of my body, but more for the inside. I wasn't on a quest to lose tons of weight, but to make a complete 360 from the lifestyle I had been living to a healthier and more satisfying way of life. Over a period of about three months, I have slowly (but surely) changed.

Here's what I did/ do differently now.

FIRST and foremost, society tells you the best way to lose weight is to go on a diet, but I am highly against giving up chocolate, ice cream, cake and other snacks that make me happy. So automatically, I knew a diet was out of the question. And honestly, why give up on something that brings you happiness? The key to eating snacks or anything in general, is moderation. Have the freaking cake as long as you don't have a huge portion. And did you know the speed that you eat actually effects digestion and metabolism? Next time you're ready to scarf the entire plate down before the other people at the table even finish the appetizer, remember to pace yourself and you will instantly see a difference in how full you feel. You might even find that you feel the need to eat less.

Secondly, I cannot emphasize how important it is to drink water. The easiest way to quit drinking soft drinks and sweet tea, which was huge for me, is not cold-turkey, but weening yourself off little by little. Start by replacing one drink per day (or week, depending on habits) with water, then two, three.. etc. and you will instantly notice a difference. Another thing that kick-started my water drinking is a Mavea pitcher. It filters all the nasty contaminents (including chlorine taste & odor, heavy metals, organic impurities, and pesticides) and leaves nothing but pure, clean, sparkling water that tastes delicious!

I plan on writing a detailed post (if this one goes over well) about how unhealthy most city water is and why you need to filter it later. For now, purchase a MAVEA here. Also, go ahead and grab some filters while you're at it because one lasts about 2-2 1/2 months, depending on use.

This next one is obviously a given, but freaking exercise a little every day, and you will feel at least 50% better by the end of the week (I promise). The internet allows us so many other ways to exercise than just going to the gym. In fact, there are TONS of free ways to work out using tutorials and videos from the internet. Pinterest and Youtube are two of the best resources for working out that money can buy, and both are free. On pinterest, browse the Health & Fitness section and see if you're not super inspired and ready to go to the living room (or any large, open space suitable for working out) and kick some butt. Here are a few workouts (found on Pinterest) to get you started.

3 Minute Arm Workout

Five Minute Ab Workout

Workouts mentioned above only require 5-10 minutes at the most, so no excuses!

Now for the second resource: YouTube. Below you will find two of my favorite videos for a low impact workout (easy on the knees)- one for core and the other for legs. 

Low Impact Lower Body and Core Tabata Workout:

Quick 10 Minute Core Workout- Pain in My Abs!

Do you like posts on Fitness & Working Out, including but not limited to healthy eating, exercises, detox drinks, post workout snacks? Which was your favorite workout?

 Comment below to let me know :)

&& as always, thank you for reading!

5 Travel Necessities

You can plan a flight, book a hotel, or even take a road trip, but all travel calls for a comfortable, practical and chic outfit to accompany the adventure. Spring Break is coming up soon enough, and below you'll find some essentials you don't want to forget. Obviously different places call for different ensembles, but lets discuss some options that are chic and travel-friendly.

First of all, I think we can agree leggings are appropriate for pretty much anything, but are especially appropriate for traveling. So number one on travel chic list is, of course, leggings.

#1: Leggings: Fashionista and full time mom Kristin Cavallari knows how to master looking chic in leggings on the go. Style with an oversized sweater, t-shirt, flat boots, sunnies, a large bag and you're good to go.

(Cred.)

#2: Espadrilles: Espadrilles may not be everyone's cup of tea, but comfort is key when traveling, and espadrilles are freaking comfortable. I do find them a bit difficult to style in the winter but seem ideal for spring and summer. Below are three different ways to style espadrilles suitable for traveling.

One way- wear with a dress or romper (can't tell), another is with skinny pants, flowy blouse and bold lip & bag. And finally, the last (and probably my favorite) way is with distressed overalls.

Img. Cred.

#3: Slouchy Pants: Chic Street Style shows us how to style slouchy pants in a way that is anything but slouchy. A powerful printed slouchy pant paired with pointed flats adds a chic element and makes this outfit perfect for traveling and exploring.

#4: All Purpose Tunic: A tunic is an all purpose item and can be worn as a bathing suit cover, with cutoff shorts, or even with jeans to add a bohemian chic vibe. A tunic can be dressed up or down, according to occasion. Printed tunics are all the rage this spring & summer, and are absolutely a travel necessity. A company built around creating the perfect all purpose tunic, Show Me Your Mumu, has an unbelievable spring collection that you MUST check out! The only downfall is Mumu can be a little expensive, but I found some affordable options that are comparable.

All-purpose tunics

#5: Fabulous and practical Sunnies: We've covered comfortable shoes & clothing to wear, but every travelnista (traveling fashionista) needs a pair of essential sunglasses. Some popular shapes for this spring & summer include, round sunnies, star & heart shaped sunglasses, the fabulous cat-eye, and of course the classical wayfayer shape. And, don't forget a strap to go around your neck to make sure you don't lose your sunnies.  My favorites for under $10 include:
Swirly-Armed Round Statement Sunglasses, Classic Round Sunglasses, Heart-Shaped Sunglasses

Where are you heading to on Spring Break, and which item on this list is a MUST HAVE on your trip? Comment below!

Holy Grail Hair Products

You know those certain products that you seriously feel like you would die without? Well, I've discovered a new holy grail haircare company: Living Proof.
Living Proof produces high-quality haircare products found at salons and beauty retailers, such as Ulta, Sephora and even Nordstrom. And if Jennifer Aniston in all of her perfect glory isn't enough to convince you to try Living Proof, Living Proof's products contain no silicones and oils. Win-Win.

Originally, I  tried "No Frizz" travel size shampoo and conditioner from Ulta (Dangit, those samples get me every time) and after a few washes was simply amazed at the difference.
A little background info: My hair is damaged from over-coloring and styling for the last 10+ years which tends to cause more frizz than I would like, and also happens to be on the verge of wavy but is somewhat straight (and frizzy) at the same time. For those reasons, holy grail hair products are hard to find. Anyway, I tried "No Frizz" and liked it, but didn't love it. So the next time I was in Ulta, I decided to try travel sizes of both "Full" and "Restore" shampoo and conditioner.

I tried "Full" once and really liked it. I tried it a few more times and noticed it seriously weighing down my hair. After "Full, I finally tried "Restore," and that's when I fell in love.

Restore shampoo and conditioner is definitely the best out of those mentioned above, in my opinion. In fact, after finishing both samples, I purchased the medium size shampoo and conditioner, hair mask and instant repair treatment. I will let you know how those products work out, but for now I am seriously blown away by how much I love the shampoo and conditioner. The only downfall of the products is the line is a little on the expensive side, but honestly, TOTALLY worth every penny.

What's next? I have my sights on Perfect Hair Day (PhD) 5-in-1 Styling Treatment, which is from Living Proof's award winning line...read more here.

I recommend trying travel sizes of all products, not just Living Proof, but especially with higher-end brands such as Living Proof. That way you can truly decide if the product is a hit or miss.

Do you like posts about holy grail hair products? Comment below to let me know!

Weekly Chic

Happy 2015, readers! If you read "Transformation" (my previous post) then you are aware Bows and Moccasins is undergoing transformation and website maintenance. I am still deciding about everything and how I want to re-brand so back to the drawing board it goes.

As for today, let's talk about what is chic this week in my mind:

#1: Philosophy so one of those brands you can always count on. My mom gifted me the "Best of Philosophy" beauty gift set from QVC for Christmas and amazing doesn't even accurately describe it. I will post pictures later with reviews on each product in a post by itself so look out for that. I will tell you that I have been using Hope In A Jar Moisturizer for quite some time now and definitely notice when I don't use it. If you've been looking for an overall A+ moisturizer, look no further.

#2: A Long Cami with Lace makes the perfect layering piece. Originally, I purchased the first long cami with lace from h&m during a pre-black friday sale. I grabbed it on a whim because I was overwhelmed and conveniently low on cash. Have you ever been in a fully stocked h&m? It can be an overwhelming feeling of I want everything! (haha) But honestly, if I could rewind time then I would go back and grab all the colors: Black, Cream and Pink because it is the best layering cami. Once you wear it, you're like how in the heck did I go so long without you in my life?! However after the black friday chaos, I went back to get more and they were all gone. I hopped online only to see-Sold Out. As I was searching I came across these gems from Bealls Florida Online for only $9.99.

 It doesn't look like much but once you wear one with leggings and a sweater or a tunic that is almost too short to wear in public, you will find that the cami acts as a slip-like piece and peeks out, creating a layered look. Long camis with lace add that extra layer needed for some long sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts as well. It adds a feminine vibe to almost anything; I am obsessed and I know you will be too!

#3: I have an exciting announcement: Wildfox the brand is having a huge end of the year sale at 6pm.com
I purchased the cutest tunic, which is unfortunately sold out now, but for only $29.99. It is white and says Wildfox in black letters- super cute. I plan on wearing it as a bathing suit cover or with leggings for shopping, running errands or working out. Other Wildfox tunics on sale:

Baby Anchor Cover Up Tahiti Tunic Pink Shell- $39.99 (Orig. $98)

Animal Island Indiana Tank Dress Caribbean Sea- $24.99 (Orig. $78)

Mermaid Cover-Up Dress Sunshine- $39.99 (Orig. $98)

Ariel Cover-Up Dress Pink Shell- $39.99 (Orig. $98)

Take note that all orders from 6pm.com receive Free shipping both ways so if something doesn't fit or you decide that you don't necessarily need the item, no biggie-just return it for free.

#4: Next, let's talk organization tips. I purchased a few things for the bathroom that I feel are definitely worth mentioning. I'm pretty sure the majority of you wear make-up, but how do you organize it? Some people are different, but I prefer to see exactly where everything is, even when it's not in use. If I run to Sephora, a quick overview of what I have is convenient to avoid double purchases and whatnot. Another advantage is that it just looks great displayed in these acrylic organizers:

     

Another organization goodie that I picked up from TJ Maxx is the white utensil caddy(shown above), and solves the issue of having way too many make up brushes with nowhere to place them. The caddy also holds concealer and other tall slender objects you might want in the bathroom.

#5: I don't mean to be a cliche blogger but I found the perfect rustic bar cart for my house. In fact, you've probably seen it at Target if you've been lately. The three shelved wooden one with wheels. I have no words to describe it except perfect for the vibe I was going for. I didn't want to be normal and purchase the gold mirrored bar cart so I opted for one that matches my interior to a T. I will post pictures later because unfortunately, I had to leave it at my mom's (where I purchased it)- that thing was not fitting in my little SUV with all of our luggage AND the dog-no way, no how. So currently, while waiting for her to bring it, I'm drawing inspo from these images:
                   

#6: Another TJ Maxx find that I am obsessing over lately is a pair of fabulous Seven Brand pair of shoes. You're probably thinking Seven brand, like the jeans? Yes, the same brand apparently makes shoes and boy, do they make them well. I have been searching for a pair of chunky heeled combat boots and I managed to stumble upon the perfect pair for only $29.99. Can you believe it?

#7: Have you heard that bells are back? That's right. bell bottoms are back with a vengeance and one brand does them so, so, so right...Show Me Your Mumu. If you haven't heard of them, you're in for a wild ride. They do floral and print so, so, so right too. One of my favorite items is what they call "Bam Bam Bells" which is the perfect pair of bell bottoms in literally every colorful or bold pattern you could ever want. They also do this really fun giveaway every Monday on Instagram- look up #showmeyourmumu on instagram for more info. If you want to see my favorite pair of Bam Bam Bells, click here.

#8: I have purchased a good amount of my wardrobe from online boutiques lately and figured I would share a few of my favorites:

www.shopmintjulepboutique.com

www.reddressboutique.com

www.shophopes.com

I hope you enjoyed this post! What is inspiring you this week? Comment below!

Transformation

Lately, I have been doing some major soul searching and have come to some realizations. This was difficult to realize and accept, but I have failed at being a consistent fashion/style blogger. When I began blogging, about four years ago, it was the best decision that I could've made (for that point of my life) and I poured my soul into it. My blog grew slowly but surely and BTW, I appreciate every reader and especially the few of you who interacted with my posts; y'all truly made it a blast to dish out my thoughts on fashion and share my style with the world. Unfortunately, things
happened that were beyond my control, and I lost heart. The blog started becoming more of a chore and hassle. I saw my numbers dropping within the blog, and things in my personal life were going downhill. I truly became discouraged and uninspired, and boy did it show...
Upon this monumental point and so called "soul searching," I realized my love of blogging still exists, but my interests have shifted from strictly fashion to home decor, beauty, skin care, fitness & nutrition, DIY natural remedies, and inspirational oriented topics. So...what do you think of me incorporating all of those topics into one post each week (or more if it happens that way) titled Picks of the Week or hopefully something catchier?! 2015 is a year of transformation for Bows and Moccasins, are you ready?!
As always please leave your thoughts below because the the reason I blog is to inspire you and create content that you actually enjoy and look forward to reading! Sometimes in this hectic spiral we call life, we need a break from everything. You know, it's not a crime to take some time to yourself! Kick back, relax and become inspired.

Budget What?

Budgeting: 

I know some of you are thinking, budgeting? I thought this was a eyeliner inblog. You are correct, however this is also a blog for frugal ladies, and budgeting is part of being frugal! Plus, if you budget right, you can shop more!

Now for some tips...

The first category for budgeting tips and tricks is...drumroll, shopping (of course).

Shopping:

My first tip is to shop at Kohl's and use Kohl's cash (expired usually accepted) and other stores that have useful promotions, such as:

Macy's is known for the one day only sale, which is actually a 2 day sale, including Friday. You can actually score some amazing deals during one of these sales. Be sure to check out preview day on Friday because the early bird catches the worm, right?

Victoria's Secret 6/$26.50 sale and Semi-Annual Sale- You can always count on Victoria's Secret for killer deals during the semi-annual sale, and who doesn't want 6 pair of panties for $26.50? No one.

Tip: Purchase a $1 pocket calendar from Dollar Tree and make note of sales when you see them advertised.

Check out Belk and JC Penney for frequent sales on various designers.

This is a don't in some people's book but DO shop end of season sales. You will be shocked as to how cheap items can be at the end of a season. I have scored some of my favorite pieces at the end of winter and summer.

Realize stores like H&m, Forever 21, Body Central and Nordstrom Rack are your friend, but can become an enemy with overindulgence. 

More tips: 

Buy school supplies in bulk

Utilize thrift stores

Sale unloved items

Coupons

Include those annoying and expensive yet necessary items such as tampons and eyeliner in your budget. Opt for the cheaper or generic brand when possible. 

Believe me, I believe in high end cosmetics (in moderation), but I always check out drugstores, such as CVS and Walgreen's cosmetic section. You can sometimes find an amazing dupe for your favorite high-end product. Coupons are essential for these stores. 

Grocery:

#1 Tip: Make a budget book to track items that you often purchase and include an estimated price. We all know prices fluctuate so just jot down the price range. 

Example: Bread-$2-3, Ranch Dressing-$2, Cheese- Under $5, Tampons-$6-8

Buy produce during the "in season".

Generic, generic, generic- 

Ranch(WM), Publix Sweet Tea & lemonade, WM Dryer sheets, Noodles, etc.

Coupons

Avoid 10/10 promo and promos in general *shop smarter, not harder*

Don't grocery shop hungry-I cannot tell you how many times I have grocery shopped hungry and ended up with everything, but the kitchen sink (not literally but you know the saying).

Include those annoying and expensive yet necessary items such as tampons and eyeliner. Opt for the cheaper brand when possible, and set aside splurge money for when you absolutely NEED the better brand.

I feel like this is a given, but aim to eat cheap meals.

Stock up when you see your favorites on sale For instance, I like a certain BBQ sauce so if I happen to go grocery shopping and notice it on sale, I pick up two or three for when I need them. BEWARE of expiration dates; there is nothing like stocking up on an item to use in three months, and having it expire before you get the chance to use it. *Trust me, I know*

Home:

#1 Tip: Shop at TJ-Maxx, Marshalls and Home Goods- These places will save you money, undoubtedly. 

Stock up on seasonal items for next year just after the holiday passes

Check out Hobby Lobby and Michael's for creative DIY projects. Also, the home and floral sections are equally as impressive as the crafts. HL even puts certain items 50% off 

(Example: Lamps, Iron Goods, Florals, etc.)

#1tip: shop around before you buy. Today we have the privilege of the internet which allows us to compare prices like never before. Get the most out of your internet and research things and reviews before you commit to purchasing. 

Do you like posts about budgeting and money? 

Please express yourself honestly in the comments.

Thanks!

Growing up Southern…

Source:Etsy shop

Father’s Day:SUPERMOM edition

Father’s Day brings a whirlwind of emotions to me, the only daughter to my single mother. If your mother is also Superwoman (along with mine) then you understand what I mean. The real recognition of today not only belongs to the men who had the balls to step up and be the man they were called to be but to the single mothers who do it all by themselves. If you are a single mom, I would like to sincerely thank you for picking up the broken pieces of your family and putting them back together solely with your support, love, and encouragement.

I do not personally know what it is like to run a household and a family but I cannot imagine it would be some easy task. I have trouble remembering clothes in the washing machine or dishes in the dishwasher. Some mothers have multiple kids and keep an immaculate house. HOW? I will never know. It is also those same mothers that run around like chickens with their heads cut off and can’t sit down and relax, because there is always something that needs to be done. If the person reading this has any of the qualities mentioned above, do me a favor and take some time for YOU today. Even if it is just giving yourself a pedicure or maybe finishing that book, go do it. After spending today with your father or not (whichever) or tending to your family, sneak one thing into your day or night which benefits YOU. You deserve recognition and relaxation too.

AM I RIGHT?

Again, thank you to all the single moms out there who play SuperMOM and dad (all in one). Your kids will never be able to say in words how fortunate they are to have such a wonderful person like you as a mother & father.

Also, to all the dads who stepped up, THANK YOU for being the person you are to your kids. The world could really use more caring & strong men.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY Y’ALL

XOXO,

SweetSouthernPea

Pondering

Here is something to ponder on:

We the people; a nation which circulates around wealth and not health. Why are we not more worried about incorrectly labeling our food rather than ignorantly labeling each other?

Think about it.

Research it.

Act on it.

-SweetSouthernPea

Frugal Date/Weekend activities

Happy Friday y'all! I hope everyone has exciting plans for the weekend. Mine is looking pretty slim because the money is grim but that's okay because I have tons of things to catch up on around the house and with school.  Today's Friday post is how to have fun inexpensively.
As some of you might know, I am currently unemployed which bites (ouch!) and which means I am always on the lookout for a discount or a tutorial to make an expensive product. I love nice things BUT I do not like paying for them :) I guess part of that comes from being an only child and ending up a little bit spoiled but who knows! When it comes to MY money, I can be a bit frugal. 
The mission today is to plan a weekends worth of inexpensive day dates and night activities. 

Friday Night: First and foremost on my list is a drive in movie; if you have never been to one...click here and look up some around your area. They are so fun and are super inexpensive too because you pay by the car so a car full of people can watch two movies for 5-10 dollars.  Sure beats 20 dollars for two movie tickets to see the same movies.
OH, and I forgot to mention they play NEW movies or the ones I've been to do.
So what's not to lose?

Saturday: Find a local flea market and browse around. It is free to enter but you might want to bring a little spending cash and when I say cash, I mean just cash. The markets I've been to have ATMs but they literally charge an arm and a leg to use them. So definitely bring cash and feast your eyes upon some unique things. 

Saturday Night: Go camping! And when I say camping I mean tent camping. We are talking about cheap ideas here; an RV isn't exactly cheap nor is the gas or the campsite. 
ANYWAYS, Go on amazon or go to Wal-Mart and buy a tent. THAT IS AN ESSENTIAL. 
Also don't forget bug spray, charcoal for a fire, meat to grill, lighter fluid, a lighter, blankets, a heater, and some clothes and shoes you don't mind getting a little dirty. 
And I can’t stress this enough…LAYERS.
(I will do an in depth discussion on what to bring camping and what not to bring later.)
The camping sites usually range from 15-30 dollars a night if you go to a State Park like we normally do. The plus side is they usually have bathrooms within walking distance and you can almost assure safety (But not from animals.) You encounter that wherever you go because you are of course outside. But don't take alcoholic beverages. If you do, hide them well :)

Sunday: I like to refer  to Sunday as Simple Sunday because it is meant to be simple. You've been working all week or going to school, the weekend is the time to unwind, and Sunday is the day to do nothing. BUT if you feel like venturing out, fishing is a wonderful alternative to nothing. 
State Parks also have good fishing so you could pick a state park with fishing while your camping and knock two out in one day! Whatever floats your boat or your fishing lure :D

Does that ease the anxiety a little about living frugally? The key to saving money while having fun is THE OUTDOORS. Inside activities charge a butt load.
Here's to fabulous frugal living!

Have a wonderful weekend