The Holidays: Overplayed?

Dear Diary, 

My views on Christmas time are a little bit different than other girls my age. My sister adores Christmas. When I say this, I truly mean it. She starts listening to Christmas music in March. She wants to put up decorations on November 1st (although earlier would be more ideal to her), and she has a countdown started on or before New Year's Day. 

I, on the other hand, get rather tired of it. The meaning of Christmas is amazing. I am a Christian. I grew up with the stories of Jesus Christ and the Christmas ceremonies, complete with plays, at church. I love Christmas, so please do not get me wrong when I say it is somewhat played out.

Unfortunately, I grew up with my sister wearing out Christmas for me. I don't blame her for being so spirited about the holiday, honest. I just don't get as excited as I used to about it. 

Christmas is a special holiday for me. The family all comes together, and no matter how much they annoy me year-round, Christmas day is full of love and patience and kindness. 

Each year, though, it seems as though Christmas loses its flare. People start celebrating earlier and earlier, causing them to forget the true meaning. Don't worry, I won't relay the story to you-hopefully you know it. 

To me, Christmas should be celebrated with the extradorinary specialness it deserves.  

Does anyone else feel the way I do?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

Makeup Monday: What is an E.L.F.?

Dear Diary, 

At a very young age,, I fell in love with makeup. As a young girl, my parents did not allow me to play with makeup, let alone wear anything associated with it-nail polish, lipgloss, or even ear piercings. So I snuck my friends' eyeshadow, powder, and I would even pay for them to buy me an eyeliner pencil.

I spent my early teens watching makeup tutorials and trying to find my own "look." 

Eyes, Lips, Face. We all know the brand. E.L.F. offers just about everything needed in the makeup realm, including palettes, brush sets, lip glosses, foundations, nail polishes, gifts sets, and even custom orders. I, myself, own a mineral face primer, flawless finish foundation, liquid eyeliner, concealer, and much more. I am constantly recommending these products to my family and friends. Not only are they inexpensive, they have such great quality comparable to other high-end products. In my opinion, they are one of the best quality makeup companies available in “drugstores.”

Unfortunately, the word “drugstore” has been used to downgrade many great makeup brands. Drugstore products are amazing. Not everyone can afford a $67 foundation (i.e. this one from Chanel), and they shouldn’t have to! Drugstore products offer great alternatives to those expensive products that, let’s face it, we wish we could afford it.

You can watch my E.L.F. haul here.

You can buy E.L.F. at K-Mart (this is where I buy it from except when I am online), Target, and even some Rite-Aid’s, and CVS’s.

What are your favorite makeup brands?

Until next time,

Eliza Grace

Freshman 15: Workouts That Work

Dear Diary, 

I have gained weight. I'm not ashamed to admit it. I know I have. Those Starbucks runs-sometimes 3 times a day, staying up until 4 a.m. working on that Psych paper due at 8, and running to the dining hall to get my curly fry fix has finally all caught up on me. 

If you are in the same boat I am, you need to workout. Sometimes it is hard to get over to the gym, especially when you are taking 6 classes this semester-I apologize for that. 

Here are some easy workouts you can do when you don't have time for anything else:

1.) Arm circles. || Stand straight up and extend your arms out at a 90° angle from your body. 
     1.) Start turning your arms from your shoulder clockwise for 30 seconds.
     2.) Keep your arms up throughout the entire exercise, no matter  how hard it becomes.
     3.) Repeat first step, but counterclockwise. 
    On average, you can burn between 15-20 calories per 40 arm circles!

2.) Jump rope! || If you don't own a jump rope, they aren't expensive at all, and this can be
     a great workout. If you don't want to buy one, try jumping jacks, or burpees. Jumping
     rope for 5 minutes can burn up to 68 calories!

3.) Burpees (Alternative to jump rope) || Stand up with your feet shoulder-width apart.
     1.) Kick your feet back in a push-up position and do a push-up
     2.) Kick your feet back to your original position-jump and clap your hands in the air
     3.) Repeat. 15 reps=1 set 
     Burpees can burn up to 15 calories per minute!

4.) Lunges. || Do walking lunges down the hallway.
     1.) Stand up with your legs shoulder-width apart. Keep your hands on your hips.
     2.) Step forward with one foot about 2 or 3 feet from your stance. Keep your back
          straight
     3.) Bend both knees to a kneeling position. Do not allow your knee to touch the ground. 
     4.) Pause at this position, then repeat. Can burn up to 45 calories.

5.) Dance! || Turn up One Direction and rock out for a bit. This is definitely a de-stresser, as
    well! Grooving can burn up to 26 calories!

I hope this helps any of you college gals, or just us that have put on a few pounds-no shame. 

What do you do to burn a few calories?

Until next time, 

Eliza Grace