Hey y'all! How has y'alls January started off?! Mine has been busy already and there are no signs of slowing down! I finished my first 5k of 2018 Sunday and I'm not going to lie, it was HARD! I haven't ran that long in almost two months! But, I did it and I felt great after!

When I was going through my kiddos school stuff trying to get everything organized, I was thinking about how I could cut down our schedule to ensure I was able to get to the gym everyday. My big 3-0 is coming up and I am trying to shed as much as I can and build my strength and stamina up. Plus, I am wanting to make sure that I am picking healthier options when snacking, eating out or when I'm just dog tired lol.

When I was thinking about my day to day activities and the time it takes to complete most of my daily tasks, I am left with barely any time! So I started to think.... maybe on my busy days I can skip the gym..

SAY WHAT?!

Yup, that's right! Those days where I am too tired or I am running on seconds of time, I will be skipping the gym. Don't get me wrong, I love the gym! It is my "safe place". I can let go of my daily stresses and just have some quiet time with heavy metal lol ( not the music, the weights). But there are times when just thinking about going to the gym makes me resent it. Then I feel bad and I get mad at myself... then somehow I end up with chocolate and having a heart to heart with my hubs about how I just want to be fit and eat whatever I want lol. I know.. I have issues!

So, what I have decided to do now is instead of stressing over making it to the gym, I will be incorporating these awesome, full body workouts at home! No commuting, no waiting for machines and no constant fear of people judging you. If there is one thing I HATE about the gym, it's all the looks I get when I am working out. Yes, I am overweight and running, yes I am overweight and lifting, yes I am overweight and doing 260+ on the leg press. I mean, isn't that why I am here??? To lose weight and get in shape?

Anyway, enough of my mini rant lol! Here are 13 simple workouts you can do in your own home without equipment and judging eyes lol! Plus, my little Thai is here to help demonstrate with me! Isn't she cute!?

1. Burpees- These are great for the whole body. Want to take your burpee up a notch? Add a jump!

2. mountain climbers- Also great for the whole body. Bring knee to chest and alternate. Try going as fast as you can to get that heart rate up!

  

3. Squats- The key to a great squat is a straight back and toes pointing upward!

   

4. Jumping jacks- Try doing a JJ ladder. Start at one and go to ten with a squat between each set. ( 1 JJ, squat, 2 JJ, squat, 3 JJ squat etc...)

5.Stairs- Stairs are one of the best workouts you can do! Try doing as many sets as you can!

 

6. Run outside- Running one mile is great for a warm up and burning fat!

  

7. Lunges- Like the squat, a straight back and toes to the sky are key!

  

8. Planks (L,M,R)- Planks are great for balance and muscle tone. Try doing a middle plank like Thai is below. Then switch to your left and then your right!

  

9. Crunches- Make sure you protect your neck and look up! Keep your elbows out and use your stomach to lift you.

  

10. High Knees- The higher the better! High knees help with speed and agility!

  

11.Wall sits- Wall sits are great for the legs and keep some of the strain off the back. If you struggle with squats, try wall sits!

  

12. Bridges- Great for the legs and glutes, bridges can be done in two ways! A regular bridge is when both legs are on the ground and hips are off the floor. Challenge yourself with raising one leg off the ground.

  

13. Leg/ Arm Raises- This workout is great for your legs, back, core and arms. Extend opposite leg and arm out and alternate.

  

There ya have it folks! 13 simple workouts you can do in the comfort of your own home! Try doing 2 sets of all of these workouts a day! If these are too easy, you can add weights or reps! What workouts do you enjoy doing at home? Let me know in the comments below!

KIDS:

Hey y'all! The year is just about up and I am coming out of a blogging slump! I have been telling myself that I need to write more (because I love it) and blogging really has become a passion of mine over the years.
 It's really something to see people respond to my posts, share them and genuinely like what I have to say. It brings me so much joy! 

So for my latest beauty post, I wanted to round up my top 10 FAVORITE makeup products for 2017. Sure some of these have been out longer than this year, but these were my "go- to's" this year! Most of these products I use almost daily and from the moment I tried them, I was in LOVE!

So here we go folks, my top 10 picks!



1. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
This primer has become my "holy grail" of makeup! Seriously, if you can make this purchase.. do it! i have always admired Smashbox for many reasons but never had the opportunity to try them. Finally, I received this primer in my Ipsy bag and I was hooked! I can't get enough. My skin is so smooth and my foundation looks flawless when I use it. It is like Photoshop in  tube!



2. Angel Merino Diamond Glow Powder
I have always raved about this highlighter. It is so pigmented and it lasts FOREVER! I have had mine for quite some time now and I feel like I layer it on when I use it lol. There are so many different shades but I love "Gold Digger" the most.



3. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation
This foundation is also like Photoshop in a bottle. I use the Matte Pore-less line and it really makes my skin look flawless. I don't have bad skin but I do have some scars from a child and uneven skin tone. This really balances out my complexion for a natural look.


4. Make up Forever Excessive Lash Mascara
Outside of Dior "Dior Show" this is one of my top mascaras. As a matter of fact, I would say this is my second favorite! Dior will forever be my #1!


5. Nude Stix Magnetic Lip Color (Rose)
Ok, I have been obsessed with Rose colored lip products for about 2 years now! I love how they make my lips look! My bottom lip is pretty full but I have insecurities about my top lip. It is pretty thin, uneven and I have a scar. Whenever I use a Rose color, it seems as if my lips transform into the perfect pout.


6. Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
Ok, if you follow me on Instagram, you know that I love this eyeliner! I have been wearing makeup almost half my life lol. It has never been so easy to perfect my winged look with this eyeliner. I don't know what it is but this eyeliner turns my hands into seasoned artist hands lol.


7. Mac Cosmetics Lipstick (Snob)
Another favorite of mine for years! Ok quick story about how I fell in love with this color. So one night I went out with a few gal pals and I ran to the restroom for a quick double look. To my surprise, a brand new MAC lipstick was just sitting on the counter! No one was in there so I decided to check it out. I opened the top and it was brand new! As soon as I got home, I quickly disinfected it, scraped off the top layers and tried it. I WAS smitten! Snob is another pinkish rose color and like I said above... I love rose colored lips!


8. Mac Cosmetics Blush (dainty)
This blush has been in my arsenal for a while too. It is the perfect shade of pink for my skin tone! It is pale enough to just give you that angelic look.



9. Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes
This is definitely #3 on my mascara list! I love the way my lashes look and fill out. My only issue with it is that if it tends to flake a little easier than my other mascaras which can really hurt my eyes!



10. Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner (Perversion)
This eyeliner is so smooth and stays in place! I hate how some eyeliners goop up in the corner of the eye. I have never had any issues with this one! Plus this black liner is the blackest I have used!

So there you have it! My top 10 makeup products for 2017! What were yours? Have you tried any of the ones listed above? Let me know in the comments below!