Fashuvia

Get inspired!!!

2010-08-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

"Life is not easy for any of us. But it is a continual challenge, and it is up to us to be cheerful and to be strong, so that those who depend on us may draw strength from our example."- Rose Kennedy

"I walk slowly, but I never walk backward." - Abraham Lincoln

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." - Henry Ford

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places." -Ernest Hemingway

"It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, "Always do what you are afraid to do."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you."-David Burns

Enjoy these amazing quotes hand picked by Fashuvia!! Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone!!!

Wake up with a morning walk!!!

2010-08-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!!

So, it's 8:45 a.m. and I am wide awake. . Why?? Because every morning I wake up with a two mile morning walk! If you do the same, you will be amazed at how energized you feel!! Now, I'm not going to lie, some mornings I can barely force myself to get out of bed!! But once I start walking, listening to the birds, smelling the fresh air, watching the sun rise, I feel amazing!! For that hour I am completely one with nature, waking up with all the animals of the forest! Daily exercise is key to our health; and by just walking every morning, your body is reaping the benefits! Your joints are moving and you are getting more oxygen to your muscles! This oxygen can improve circulation and acne!! Also, by focusing on deep breathing, your body will be filled of fresh air, as opposed to the stagnant are you are breathing in all night!!

Walking in the morning does take discipline!!! But if I can wake up @ 6:30am to go on walks, so can you!! As soon as you get out on the trail/road/sidewalk, you will feel like a million bucks! By the time you get to work, you will be feeling completely renewed and and productive!!! (Ending your day with a 2 mile walk also is a great way to unwind; that would be 4 miles a day)!! You go girl!!!!

Requests

2010-08-20T04:40:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!! So I'm still on my daily grind here at Fashuvia, working full time and being a student full time (grad classes start back up in a week)!!! The past two days I haven't been much inspired to write about anything and am asking you for help!! Please comment and let us know what you want to read about!!! :) The top request will receive a post tonight!!

Thanks,

Fashuvia.

Tips for Acne Prone Skin

2010-08-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

I will be the first to admit that the founders of Fashuvia have problem skin, both me and my colleague should be the poster children for Proactiv, but we AREN'T, and here is why. . .

1. Do not use medicated face washes or harsh chemicals on the skin, items such as Proactiv and Clinique are actually HORRIBLE for the skin, they dry you out and eventually make your acne/breakouts worse! They do work for a short period of time, but once the skin gets immune to the products, you will be worse off than when you started! Use a mild soap such as Cetaphil or (my favorite) Say Yes To Tomatoes Trouble Free Face Wash. . this wash is organic and not tested on animals, it also smells amazing and is very gentle on the skin.

2. With acne prone skin, it is important to exfoliate once or twice a week. Again, do not use chemicals, instead use sugar and olive oil (refer to olive oil post) when you wake up, then was with Say Yes To Tomatoes Trouble Free Face Wash.

3. Toner. . for a natural toner, you will need 2 products, Witch Hazel (can be purchased at any drug store and is about 2$ a bottle, which lasts honestly for about 6 months), and Tea Tree Oil, I purchase organic tea tree oil from Wegmans which is made by the company Desert Essence. It is 100% Australian Tea Tree Oil and costs $7.00 for 0.5fl oz. This may seem like almost NO OIL however, it ends up lasting again, about 6 months. Here is what you do. . take a cotton ball, and get it moist with Witch Hazel, not too wet that the face will remain damp, simple turn over the Witch Hazel bottle onto the cotton ball for not even a second, then place the moist cotton ball onto the top of the Tea Tree Oil and turn over for again, not even a second. You want almost no Tea Tree Oil on the cotton ball . . just a smidge (you will be able to smell it, trust me). The reason for this is because Tea Tree Oil is VERY powerful, and too much can dry out the face and cause irritation. This oil kills bacteria and helps the skin to heal from breakouts.

4. Let this dry and if moisturizer is needed, use a mild moisturizer such as Cetaphil of Say Yes To Tomatoes Totally Tranquil Facial Hydrating Lotion, only use a TINY bit, just enough to moisturize, not enough to look greasy.

5. Do this routine morning and night as well as after a workout.

6. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND DO NOT PICK AT IT.

7. Drink green tea! It helps heal the skin! But make sure it is from a tea bag and that you only add honey, if anything.

8. ABSOLUTELY NO SODA!! Soda is HORRIBLE for your body AND skin. . Only drink water (and a lot of it) and for a treat, drink fruit juices with no added sugar. If you like the fizz of soda add some seltzer water to your juice!!

9. Take a multi-vitamin with zinc. Studies have shown that zinc supplements help cure acne from the inside, so I take a woman's supplement everyday with zinc and it seems to be helping!!

10. NO PROCESSED FOODS (or as little as possible) when you eat healthy, your skin is healthy. . plain and simple. Try to stay away from a lot of sweets and eats tons of fruits and veggies. There are studies that show how dark colored fruits such as purple grapes actually retard the aging process. Also, try to eat all organic, if this is too expensive, at least make all your meats organic, the chemicals put into meat are horrible for you!

11. Change your pillow case every 2 nights, use one side a night and then put on a new one. . this will prevent the oils from your hair to transfer to your face.

12. Disinfect your cell phone with a disinfecting wipe at LEAST once a day. . our cell phones harbor so much bacteria that causes breakouts on the skin.

13. A great all natural face mask which has seemed to have helped me is: by c. Booth and is called "Deep Cleansing Volcanic Mud Mask," which can be purchased at Ulta or Ulta.com, I use this whenever I feel like it, because it is all natural, I don't feel guilty and use it whenever I have time, probably every 2 or 3 days. . also if I feel a pimple coming, I put a little bit of the mask on the area and sleep with it on. . it seems to help a great deal!!

14. Make-up: Ok, let me be honest, none of these steps are a CURE to acne, firstly, your skin is going to get worse before it gets better when using these products. the reason being, if you used harsh chemicals prior to a more natural skin care regimen, your skin is going to need to detox from all the horrible things that were being put on it! Your skin will probably be oily at first because it had to create so much more oil to deal with the over drying that the chemicals caused. . also, any time you change face products, your skin reacts! So just wait it out. . the most important thing is to stay with it. . my skin started improving in about a month, and now my skin is doing pretty well!!! So. . in the mean time, you can use make-up that will actually HELP the process. . .

Mineral makeup such as Pur Minerals or Bare Minerals actually help acne prone skin because the minerals in the makeup heal the skin and do not irritate it whatsoever. Also, make sure to clean your brushes once a week (refer to the previous blog post about how to clean your makeup brushes) due to the fact that they carry bacteria which you are transferring onto your skin every time you apply makeup! I also find that my skin healed faster with the makeup due to the fact that when I have makeup on, I stop touching my skin!! So, don't be scared that makeup will slow the healing process, applying mineral makeup to breakouts is actually a good thing!

Now, keep in mind I still have pimples here and there, but with makeup my skin looks flawless, and the best it has ever looked!! This is no cure, but it helps me significantly!!!!!

The leaves are about to change, and so is fashion!!

2010-08-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

The term "Spring Cleaning" is for the birds! Every season your closet should be cleaned out. Let's face it, a lot of the things you wore last Autumn are no longer in style, and a lot of the things you planned on wearing this summer, never saw the light of day. . . before starting a new season, it is important to take inventory and purge the things that are no longer necessary. Here are some tips for cleaning out your closet/drawers!

1. If you didn't wear something this summer that was for the season, give it away, take it to Plato's Closet, or sell it at a yard sale! If you didn't wear it this summer, chances are, you won't next summer either.

2. Take inventory of all Autumn clothing, ask yourself, "Will I wear this item this year?" "Does this item still fit?" If either answer is a "No," discard it.

3. Remember the ever so helpful "X Crush Rule," If your X or crush saw you wearing the item of clothing in question would your run for cover or show yourself off?? If you'd run, hide, or with you had worn something a little more attractive, get rid of it! That item wont do you justice.

4. Go through all of your shoes. Are there any that are worn out, smelly, uncomfortable? Purge them.

5. Accessories: Accessories such as jewelry are typically easy to store, so if you have the room, go ahead and keep the classics and a few trendy pieces. If you are saving a bracelet from 6th grade because your crush gave it to you 10 yrs ago, GET RID OF IT!! Other accessories however such as scarves, hats, and bags, tend to take up a lot of space. . . . look through all of these items and if you can't remember the last time you've worn/used them, purge them as well!

6. Under garments: Let's face it, we all have our "time of the month panties" and our comfy bras, but if you have panties with holes (we all do) trash them! Have bras you don't wear? Trash them as well.

7. Organize by color, or perhaps item! All jeans together, all dresses, all tops, etc. . this will help you find things easily, and remember, you aren't Heidi Klum, or Jessica Simpson, you don't need 50 pairs of jeans or 100 pairs of shoes!! GET RID OF THEM.

It is important to remember that a cluttered closet wastes time in your day! You can never find anything and chances are, there are things in there that you had no idea you have! Before purchasing one more item, take inventory. . literally.

After you have gotten rid of everything you possibly can (if you have a hard time, invite an honest friend over to do it with you, she will let you know what needs to go! And make sure you tell her to be honest and HARSH, you will need the kick in the butt) take an inventory of everything you have. Make a list, this way you can easily visualize what you have and you will know what to purchase in the future.

How to move on after a relationship gone bad!

2010-08-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

Two posts in one day! How ambitious (I am following the inspiration of my first post, and it's rainy, and I just got a manicure which makes me want to type)!!! I decided to scour the internet looking for ways to get over a break-up and I found some really good ones!!

Here are some great tips:

1. (This is of utmost importance) Cut off ALL communication with your x, whether you broke up with him and want him to make SURE he knows what he's missing or he broke up with you and you want to BITCH HIM OUT, both ways, you look desperate and pathetic (sorry but it's time for tough love ladies)!! Ask yourself, "what would the most confident, beautiful, get any man she wants, woman do in this situation?" because guess what, You are Her! Last time I checked, neither super models, princesses, or heiresses, are running after men, and neither should you!! Now I will be the first to admit that this is a very hard step, and sometimes you may cave, but this is the only way to move on! Change your number if you have to, delete his e-mails, when you see him out, leave immediately. . . . at this point it is all about self preservation, so avoid all contact!!

2. Now, after you have been a good girl and haven't communicated with your x for awhile, reward yourself!!! Get a pedicure, a massage, a manicure, or all of the above! Do something for you, spoil yourself! You've been through hell and you deserve it!

3. Get rid of ALL memories, they only make you sad. . destroy them, burn them, sell them, give them away. Whatever you gotta do, do it! Get rid of the baggage and move on!!

4. Change your surroundings!! Go out and buy amazingly scented candles, get new sheets, paint your room, anything to give a breath of fresh air to your world! Now is YOUR time, so start fresh and new!!

5. With the dead weight now off your back (even if he was amazing, if he left you, there was a problem with him, so count your blessings, or, if he left because you made a mistake, love forgives, if he didn't, he's an asshole) it's time to celebrate!! Do the things you never got a chance to, if you always wanted red hair, but he hated red hair, screw him, DYE THAT HAIR!! If you always wanted to get a cat, go out and adopt the little furry beast. If you hate making your bed, but he insisted, vow to never make it again!!

6. Don't date someone new right away! Break-up's take time, no matter how well you handle it. It is important to take alone time and properly heal before attempting something new, so for the time being, be in love with yourself, do things that make you happy, be a little selfish for once. Volunteer, get a job, start working out, anything and everything, do it!! Getting out there really helps, and by doing things that help others, you will feel more complete and happy! Making a difference in other's lives really helps to cure the sadness you are feeling.

Now. . with these tips in mind, here is the most important FACT of all. . You are worth it! Period.

Seizing the moment!!

2010-08-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

"We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

This amazing quote inspired me to write a post about seizing each moment in our lives. How many mornings do we sleep in when we could be being productive? How many times do we not do something because "we don't feel like it?" Well. . this amazing quote speaks volumes when it comes to our capabilities as human beings!

I make an effort each day to NEVER not do anything based on the reasoning "I don't feel like it." There are so many hours in a day to accomplish such great things!!! Instead of watching endless amounts of TV, or sitting on facebook for days (I'm quite guilty of this) take that time to volunteer with children or animals in need, or go on a nature walk, join a public library and read, grab a nice cup of Starbucks and read the paper in a park, the possibilities are endless!!

Leave each day better than the day before, just by doing something small!! Make things happen!! Don't just walk by trash, pick it up and throw it away! Open doors for people! Hand out your business card to everyone you meet! Get yourself out in the world making a difference!!

The more we sit around doing nothing, the worse off we are, this type of vegging can cause depression, weight gain, loss of world awareness, loss in mobility, flexibility, etc. Even when you don't feel like it, go for a walk! Ride your bike, and remember. .

There are more possibilities in each moment than we realize! So seize each moment today Ladies and Gentleman!!!

Amazing Lotion!

2010-08-15T05:11:00.000-07:00

With a 10 hr work day ahead of me, I don't have much time to make a post. . but I wanted to leave you ladies with a great product!!! Fashuvia tested and approved!!!! We have found that most lotions leave a greasy residue on the skin and even cause breakouts! I for one get body breakouts and thought it was acne!! Little did I know, it was caused by my pore clogging lotion!!

So. . I swithed to Jergens Naturals It is 93% natural. . I prefer the "Soothe" scent, but any scent will do!! The lotion is paraben free, dermatologist tested, and NOT tested on animals (which is a HUGE plus for us at Fashuvia)!!!

After using it for about a month, my breakouts have subsided and my skin is always so silky smooth without EVER being greasy!! Another bonus??? It's so inexpensive!!! I believe I purchased mine @ Target for roughly $5.00 and with daily use, one bottle lasts about a month!!

Try it out!! And let us know what you think (Also, it is semi-pointless to use this lotion while still using highly chemically infused body wash, we recommend using Dr. Bronner's Magic Castile Soap on the body, to completely avoid chemicals that could cause breakouts)!

Stay posted for tonight's post about Castile Soap!!!

An unexplained hiatus!

2010-08-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies!

As you all have noticed, Fashuvia has taken an unexplained and unexpected hiatus. . How did you survive without us?!?! During our hiatus we at Fashuvia were getting full time jobs, paying off debt, having husbands return from leave, etc! But in that time, we ran into many MANY topics to discuss on our blog!

Today we will be discussing the WONDERS of Olive Oil, extra virgin to be specific! Who wouldn't want to walk into their bathroom and have one or two all purpose products staring you in the face instead of millions of single use products which you spent a fortune on??!?! I know I would..... well here is a way to cut back on the clutter!

Olive Oil is a great (and cheap) alternative to many products that are MUCH more expensive. .

1. Make-Up remover!!

Believe it or not, olive-oil is the best make-up remover on the PLANET, simple pour a quarter sized amount of E.V.O.O. in your hands and rub on your eyes. . your mascara (even waterproof) wont stand a chance! Literally in a few seconds, you will be 100% make-up free. If you use a lot of face make-up, you can rub it all over your face, wipe with a cloth, and then wash! I have found that make-up removing products irritate my skin and burn the living daylights out of my eyes! But E.V.O.O. is so gentle, and works better than anything I have ever tried!

2. Make an at home facial/body scrub!!!!

Combine a little E.V.O.O. with granulated white sugar until you form a paste, moisten your face and or body and scrub scrub scrub! Rinse and follow by washing the skin with a mild or all natural body/face wash such as Dr. Bronner's Magic Castile Soap for the body (I use this everyday, we will have another post on this soap), and Say Yes To Tomato's Face Wash (I use this as well)!! Your skin will feel more soft and exfoliated than any product you can buy, I promise you that!!

3. Deep Conditioner!

On dry clean hair, work E.V.O.O. from roots to tips, use enough E.V.O.O. to saturate the hair (my hair is SUPER thick and it takes very little to get the job done), comb through your hair, pile on your head, and put a shower cap on for as long as you can stand (30 minutes is fine if that is all the time you have), rinse, shampoo, and condition (with delicate thin hair, shampooing twice may be necessary but for full, coarse, thick hair, shampooing once and leaving a little E.V.O.O. in the hair is a good way to keep moisture in). Your hair will feel so soft and manageable! Do this about once a week!

4. Cuticle Repair!

Cuticles are so delicate, but E.V.O.O. rubbed on tearing cuticles allows them to repair super fast!!! Also if your feet are very dry, at night rub E.V.O.O. onto them and place socks on! You will wake up with amazingly soft skin!!!

Let us know what you use E.V.O.O. for!!! :) We would love to hear other uses!!!

Quotes in a time of weakness.

2010-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Everyone has their moments. . even the strongest fall sometimes.. we find that in a "moment," some inspiring words can really help get us through. . . So today we found some quotes that should do the trick to help you feel powerful and unstoppable (which everyone woman should feel)!!

"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." -Arnold Schwarzenegger

"We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." -Carlos Castaneda

"If you believe in yourself, have dedication, pride, and never quit, you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards." -Paul Bryant

and most importantly. .

“If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought.”

Always think positively! Have no room for a negative thought, it is a mere waste of space. . focus on what you want, and go get it! Nothing is stopping you. . Nothing!!!

The thrill of the hunt

2010-05-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, nothing beats the thrill of finding an amazing item of clothing or an accessory for a fraction of the retail price, but for some reason splurging on a ridiculously expensive luxury item feels just as good, if not BETTER!!!

With the economy taking a down turn, many of us are pinching pennies everywhere we can, and rightfully so! It is always important to take care of your needs and making a nice beefy saving account before doing anything crazy, but make sure to treat yourself every once in awhile, because let's face it, what's the point of getting out of bed everyday busting your bum at work, if you have nothing to show for it besides money in the bank.

Make sure that along with putting money in your savings account each week, you put a little in your "rainy day" account. . it doesn't have to be a lot, maybe just $10.00 a week or so, you would be surprised how quickly this adds up; and in a few months you will be able to afford a pair of True Religion jeans, a YSL bag, Gucci shades, a new ipod, the choice is yours! It is amazing how good you will feel after purchasing a luxury item that will last a life time!

Tips to help you along the way:

1. Most importantly, DON'T FEEL GUILTY! You work hard for your money, you are responsible, you pay your bills, put money in savings, look at you! You're a rock star!! You deserve it!!!!!

2. Choose wisely, if you are going to be spending $1000.00 on a pair of shoes, or $800.00 on a bag, make sure it is timeless! Purchasing trendy designer duds is a complete no-no! You want to rock out your new Gucci handbag until it can be rocked no longer don't you?? Stick with the classics, black pumps (maybe if you're going for the "red bottoms"), leather bags and accessories (if you are spending upwards of $1000.00 on a designer bag, please DO NOT purchase canvas or cloth, high quality leather lasts a lifetime, get your money's worth!!)

3. Try to steer clear of clothing. I last splurged on a pair of True Religion Jeans. . and let's face it Denim is timeless, and you can literally wear the same jeans 4 times a week without anyone even noticing, so as long as you plan on taking exceptional care of your garments and staying in shape so that you never grow out of them, then by all means, but if you tend to never make it to the dry cleaner, or refuse to go to a tailor, stick to shoes and accessories, garments are much more likely to wear and tear-apart! So keep this in mind.

4. Try skipping your daily Starbucks or start packing your lunch, and the money you save can be used towards your new luxury item!!! My daily Starbucks costs around $5.00! That is $25.00 a work week, $100.00 a month!! If I cut back on my Starbucks, I could have a pair of Christian Louboutin's in a year, with $200.00 to spare! Try tracking your spending and cutting out unnecessary things such as take-out and coffee!

5. Choose an item you will love. . FOREVER!

6. A great tip is this.... keep your clothing cheap and you accessories expensive! Search for the bargain clothing! No one is going to notice whether your dress cost $6.00 at Old Navy, or $6000.00 at Neiman's but who can take their eyes off of a timeless Gucci?!

And just to bring the point home. . I have a Gucci make-up bag that was my Mother's in HIGH SCHOOL. . . it is about 30 years old and I still use it everyday! It is a little worn, but let me tell you. . it is still a show stopper!!!

This post may seem a little materialistic, but if luxury items give you the warm and fuzzies like they do to us here at Fashuvia, we wanted to show you, no matter your budget, you can afford it!!!!!

New Format

2010-05-13T04:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies!

So... as we're sure you're aware.... fashuvia has died down over the last month due to super busy schedules and other priorities... Luckily, we are back up and running and have decided to switch it up a bit!

We have found that keeping a daily topic limits us to what we really want to discuss on a daily basis. So for this reason, we are having a more open forum to discuss any topic which we find relevant to the day! Today's topic..... makeup brushes.

Recently fashuvia received a facial and paid close attention to the good skin tips that were being given...

Firstly, CLEAN YOUR MAKE-UP BRUSHES REGULARLY! Although this isn't the best thing for the brushes themselves, we found the BEST way to get them SQUEAKY clean is by using dish soap... think about it, dish soap is used to clean animals who have been trapped in oil spills.. if it can get the oil and muck off of them, it can break through make-up in an instant.... Squirt soap directly on brush... massage and rinse.. repeat until water is completely clear, then re-shape brush and let dry on a towel... you will notice a complete change! The brushes feel so great on your skin!! You will always be amazed at how much make-up washes down the drain!!! (Make-up brushes harbor oil and bacteria! Clean once a week!)

Change your pillow case every other day! The oils from your hair and scalp soak into your pillowcase, and when your face touches the pillow, you then transmit the oils from the hair onto the face, creating breakouts!!! Preferably use a white pillow case ONLY, these have less chemicals, and chemicals are something we want to avoid!!! Monday, use one side of the pillow, Tuesday flip it and use the other.. Wednesday change pillow case, and repeat!

Clean your cell phone! Let's face it.. you use your cell phone constantly, and it is disgustingly dirty! When your phone touches your face... instant bacteria fest!!! Get in the habit of using clorox wipes or rubbing alcohol on a tissue on your phone AT LEAST once a day..... this will help keep everything nice and clean!!!

Don't touch your face! We don't realize how much we touch our face throughout the day! When we do this, all the bacteria on our hands gets rubbed into our faces! Make sure to NEVER touch your face... this will prevent bacteria and in turn, make for a clearer face! :)

NEVER POP PIMPLES! ok, ok, so we all do it! But we need to stop!!! When you pop a pimple, the skin has a nice little hole in it which bacteria can grow and thrive, creating more pimples!!! Furthermore, this holes scar, creating for an ugly complexion which is very hard and expensive to correct! When you notice a pimple, use a hot compress on the area, and ONLY on that area (too hot of water can cause for blood vessels to break in the skin, causing red spots).... if the pimple doesn't open, continue to use the compress until it does! :) This may take a few days... but it will heal!

Finally! Keep your hair out of your face! Hair on the face allows for oil to run onto the skin, causing breakouts! Make sure to keep your hair out of your face to prevent the transmitting of oils!

Fashuvia's Favorite 10 Things

2010-05-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

1. Rompers - At first we were a little uneasy about this one piece but after trying one on off the sale rack instantly fell in love - they will make your waist look AMAZING! So if haven't already go out and buy one today!

2. Coco Chanel - She is a fashion genius, just think her 2.55 handbag and Chanel No. 5 are still top sellers even though they hit the market in the 1920s - not to mention we have her to thank for the little black dress

3. High waisted skirts - they instantly make you look super skinny and super polished - a must wear for your next meeting at work

4. Confidence - the true secret to always looking great isn't really about fashion, it's about confidence - so if you love what you are wearing and how you look so will everyone else

5. Student Discount - So who doesn't love getting a discount, next time you are in the store ask if they have a student discount The Limited, Charlotte Russe, and JCrew all have student discounts - and the best part of a student ID is most don't have an expiration date

6. Bright colored nail polish - Loving the yellow and orabge nails this season - so over all the pink!

7. Sparkles - sequins and anything that sparkles makes any outfit a going out outfit, but you can still wear them to the office just throw on a blazer

8. Boyfriend watch - so sexy!

9. Simplistic Lifestyle

10. Tory Burch Shoes - at first scared off by the price but as soon as they were on my foot I knew it was totally worth it - they are so comfortable

work out at the park!!

2010-04-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

Hey ladies!

The weather here at Fashuvia headquarters has been amazing! Instead of working out indoors, try going to a park! Walk for about 30 minutes, or if you're feeling daring, an hour! Then find a park bench and do some simple moves!

1. The leg lift. This move works the glutes, hamstrings and calves and is great for cellulite reduction! What to do: place hands on back of bench and point the toe with leg slightly elevated, extend the leg backward toward the sky and slowly place back in slightly elevated position. Repeat and feel the burn!!

2. The dip! Basically just look at the picture and enjoy! We aren't so great at explaining. Make sure to do the moves SLOWLY, to feel the burn.

Easter Eggs

2010-03-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here at Fashuvia we still take joy in dyeing Easter eggs (a little childish maybe, but it brings back great memories). Well as it turns out the Easter Eggs are really good for us!

Benefits of Eggs
- forget about the carrots, an egg a day is great for the eyes and will help fight diseases like macular degeneration and can reduce the risk of cataracts
- eggs are high in protein, amino acids, choline(great for the brain), and the good kind of fat
- the best yet, eating eggs will leave you with great hair and nails

Here are some creative ways to use eggs
- here at Fashuvia during lent on Friday's we throw hard boiled eggs in with some spaghetti sauce
- how about scrambling some eggs with onions and tomatoes
- poach an egg and throw it on top of a salad
- and for dessert make a custard by mixing 4 eggs, a cup of sugar, 2 cups of milk, a teaspoon of flour and poring into a pie crust and baking at 350 for 45 minutes

The x crush rule!!!!

2010-03-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

I was going through my closet, and looking online at tips for organization. I thought I knew them all but needed an extra push to throw things away that I know I didn't need... then I found it "The X, crush rule!" Here is how it goes, If you ran into your X or crush in the particular item, would you feel confident or want to duck and cover? Well, turns out, I would feel embarrassed a lot, I definitely owned a Hawaiian button up from the Gap and a white linen skirt with sequin from Limited Too!!!

This story is funny and educational, TRY IT OUT TODAY!!! You'll be so happy you did.

Courage

2010-03-28T14:52:00.000-07:00

Remember your first job interview, or your first day of school? You were scared to DEATH, but eventually, the more first day's of school that pasted, and the more interviews you took on, the less scary they became. Remember the feeling, "I just want to run out of here, I am about to puke!?" Well, courage brought you through those times. "Courage is being scared to death.. and saddling up anyway. "~John Wayne. It is so important to use fear as motivation rather than an excuse to back down. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear." ~ Ambrose Redmoon. The more you feel nervous or out of your comfort zone, the more you should be so proud of yourself for trying something new and getting out there! Everyday you push through a scary moment, whether it be in your career or personal life, give yourself a pat on the back, because above all else, you made it through when you had the chance to run! "There can be no courage unless you're scared!" ~Eddie Richenbacker. We at Fashuvia challenge you to be brave, for the rest of your life! When you get fearful or scared, tell yourself "I can and WILL make it through, and the next time, it will be easier." Without using fear as a push into something new, you will never move forward in your life and may miss great opportunities. If you don't get the job, contract, date, so what! You were brave and you tried, which is an accomplishment in and of itself!

"Above all, challenge yourself. You may well surprise yourself at what strengths you have, what you can accomplish." ~Cicile Springer

Vote for a Fashuvia Founder

2010-03-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

Today's request is simple, vote for one of our founders Jessica Jones at Http://avenuedebut.lvcmag.com/vote !!! What a better way to boost your confidence!! Get featured on a website or other contest, apply and hope! It's easy. Next week you can feel super confident by being our Fashionista Friday!!!! :) Don't forget to submit your picture and information!!!

Say hello to Jessica Jones, the ninth finalist in LVCMag's "Avenue Debut Grand Giveaway" contest. She describes her personal style as "classic chic or putting a new spin on the basics." Always reinventing herself, Jessica doesn't shop for labels; she shops for cute clothes!

With an undeniable passion for fashion, she-along with one of her girlfriends-decided to start a blog titledFashuvia, which focuses on a medley of fashion and lifestyle topics and, more importantly, how women can live an inspired life.

In this photo, she's wearing a sweater and tank from Charlotte Ruse, Steve Madden shoes, Ann Taylor Loft scarf, leggings from a kiosk in the mall, and Goodwill aviators. Undoubtedly, she's a pro at mixing and matching, which translates to her resourceful style.

Her resourcefulness doesn't stop there, however. Jessica juggles both a career and an 18-month-old son. In between his naps and after bedtime, she works out of her home as a marketing consultant.

"I am a very motivated person. I try to fit as much into a day as humanly possible while not taking away from time with my son."

Her mantra? Living life to the fullest and, of course, having fun. If being a full-time mom and business woman weren't enough, she finds time to volunteer at the Delaware YWCA, where she helps lower income ladies and their children build better lives. To top it off, she even runs marathons. "I am also an avid runner and have completed several half marathons with three scheduled for this year."

A tenacious young woman, Jessica strives to live her life to the fullest. "I have a lot of dreams and know that my passion and work ethic will get me through." Her long-term goals include writing a book and starting a magazine.

When asked how she exemplifies the Cherished Life, she states, "In my opinion, I live the cherished life by never taking a moment for granted and always striving to do my best. I find that whenever I'm scared or get nervous, I use it to motivate me and conquer my fears."

An inspiration to women everyone, she leaves them with this piece of advice: "It is so important to have your fears motivate you as opposed to running from them."

A breath of fresh air? We think so!

Fashionista SPOTTED

2010-03-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

Here at Fashuvia we really love to learn about you, our readers! This week we are holding a little contest!

Send in the most stylish picture of yourself and a brief description, i.e. your age, name, profession, hobbies, inspiring story, ANYTHING that you feel will inspire women, to fashuvia@gmail.com and whom ever we feel is the most stylish and inspiring will be featured as a Fashionista for next Fashionista Friday!!!

More detailed directions: Please send in your photo, name, age, occupation, and any story of your life which is inspiring. We will go through all entries and publish the most inspiring, stylish woman next Friday, feel free to promote yourself! We are all about girl-power at Fashuvia and if we can help you get your name out there, we definitely will! All submissions must be in by Thursday April 1st in order to be considered! Good Luck!!!

Tiffany vs. Silpada

2010-03-27T17:16:00.000-07:00

Thrifty isn't just a word, it's a lifestyle! This week Fashuvia hosted a Silpada Party to compare their silver jewelry to Tiffany's, and let us tell you, we were SHOCKED! We expected some rickety jewelry with no real weight or quality, and what we found was the complete opposite! Silpada jewelry is the best of the best! And in comparison to Tiffany's, is the same exact highest quality sterling silver (.925) and actually, the pieces hold more weight, which means great quality!

In comparison, the Tiffany Bead bracelet is $185.00 and is lighter with less presence than the Silpada version which looks exactly the same, and of the same quality, but is only $74.00. The matching earrings? $24.00 at Silpada and $100.00 at Tiffany's.

Tiffany's is also famous for their heart designs, and Silpada has a very similar design! The Tiffany heart clasping link bracelet is a whopping $500.00 and the Silpada sterling silver heart bracelet is only $49.00!

Tiffany's also carries a 1837 collection concave ring which is $225.00, where the Silpada version is only $50.00

Finally, Tiffany's carries an organic looking cuff which is called the Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff and is $725.00!! The Silpada version? only $144.00

Silpada truly is quality! At Fashuvia we are all about a bargain, as long as the quality is there! This isn't your cheap costume jewelry, these are investment pieces that have a LIFETIME warranty and will be replaced anytime for FREE, Tiffany's offers no such service. A dear friend of Fashuvia actually turned us on to Silpada and became a sales representative after falling in love with their quality and prices! Check out her site and feel free to order through her!

www.mysilpada.com/karly.kunkle

Beach Ready Body

2010-03-25T06:03:00.000-07:00

Ready for the beach? I know we aren't!!! Sign up for the Self.com challenge, it's free and really works!

go to self.com and register! Fill in all your stats and submit for a personalized diet and workout regimen. You can even log your workouts and meals to stay on track. The challenge is fool proof! You receive daily recipes and workout tips that will help you get to your goal weight. Your progress gets tracked daily. . if you stick with it, you will be beach ready in a month!!! Perfect timing! Also, don't forget, it is ABSOLUTELY FREE (we love that)!!

Here at Fashuvia we will be participating in the self-challenge as well. stay tuned for next Wednesday to hear about our progress!

Tasteful Tuesday: Healthy Salad's

2010-03-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

Many of you have days when you want to eat a bit healthier so you opt for a salad, well be careful because all salads are not created equal.

Starting with the salad bar:
- DO pile on the raw veggies
- DO take plenty of dark lettuce (arugula, romaine, baby spinach)
- DO NOT indulge in too much iceberg lettuce
- DO NOT load the salad with the dry noodles, croutons, bacon bits, sunflower seeds
- DO NOT indiscriminately pick a dressing, this could ruin the whole meal and leave you better off having just having a hamburger - instead try sprinkling the salad with lemon juice or try adding fresh fruit for added flavor
- if you use dressing DO choose a vinaigrette

And when you use the drive thru try these options (beware some are surprising)

at McDonald's get the Bacon Ranch Salad with Grilled Chicken (the key here is use as little dressing as possible)

Wendy's: Mandarin Chicken Salad

Burger King: Tendergrill Chicken Garden Salad

Stay away from Wendy's Chicken BLT Salad - your better off with the burger

*image from: www.bfeedme.com

Rejection comes in all forms

2010-03-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

E-Harmony.com. . sounds so alluring, everyone on the commercials is so happy and in love. . so after being rejected from a loser I thought. . "why not give E-Harmony a try?!?! My inbox will be flooded!". . Day 1, I receive an e-mail "Matt sent you a message!" "OH HOW POPULAR AM I, I KNEW IT!!!!," I said to myself, so I logged into my account and there it was, "Matt has cut off all communication with you, reason: other."

From the lips of a genius

2010-03-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

Coco Chanel: A woman we can all learn a thing or two from. She embodied elegance and grace and always knew what was most important. "In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different." Always remember that standing out is a good thing! Being part of the crowd makes you forgettable, never be afraid of being yourself!!! I always found it hard to accept myself, and still struggle with it today. Sometimes I feel so much different than everyone else, but this quote always brings me back to reality. It is so great that I am different because I am just that, Unique! To be unforgettable is a great thing, never be afraid of who you are, and most importantly, never apologize for being that person. "The best color in the world is the one that looks good on you." Stick with what you know and love, don't go for trendy duds, be chic and classic, and most importantly, comfortable in your own skin!!

At Home Pedicure

2010-03-20T19:07:00.000-07:00

As summer gets closer our feet could use a little pick me up. Here at Fashuvia we have come up with an easy at home routine that will have your feet flip-flop ready in no time!

1. Remove polish

2. Soak feet in hot water and for added relief add epsom salt or an organic essential oil

3. Scrub with a pedi-file or pumice stone (be sure to take your time with this step it is crucial)

4. Use an exfoliating scrub on feet and legs, Saint Ives Apricot Scrub is a favorite at Fashuvia

5. Use a thick cream moisturizer on legs and feet to lock in the moisture

6. Apply cuticle oil to the nails and push back with a cuticle stick that can be found at local drug stores

7. Clip and file nails to desired length, making sure not to cut too short

8. Remove oil from nails by going over them once more with polish remover

9. Apply favorite polish (don't forget to apply a base coat and a top coat)

10. Pedicure takes 2 hours to fully dry so lay down and relax