October Favorites!

I can't believe October is over! It really flew by! Now we're getting into the holiday spirit, which I am so excited about. I didn't have that many favorites, but I did have a few. I tried to get ones that I usually don't have. Although they're not mentioned, I continue to love Maybelline FIT Me Powder, LOREAL True Match Concealer, and Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion mascara.

Wet n' Wild- Natural Lip Blend: Berry

 Swatch of Berry

Wet n' Wild- Natural Lip Shimmer

I don't know the name of the shade, but here is a swatch!

Not Just Nudes- Revlon

ELF Eyeshadow Brush

Hope you enjoyed my October Favorites! Please leave comments and requests below.

XOXO Charlotte

Halloween Slimdown Day 7: Sunday's Afternoon Treat

Relax and have fun- these Halloween themed goodies are tasty and be enjoyed by everyone!

 These festive (without food coloring), Pumpkin Carrot Muffins will taste just as good as they look, except no one will know that they're hidden with vegetables!

• 1 3/4 cup flour (I used sprouted spelt flour)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup agave syrup
• 1 cup cooked pumpkin / carrot puree (I cooked chunks in the microwave and then food-processed them)
• 1/2 cup milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk, my go-to)
• 1/3 cup rice bran oil, or your favorite cooking oil or melted butter
• shredded unsweetened coconut, optional

Combine dry ingredients and spices in a large bowl, and combine wet in another bowl. Add wet to dry and mix until just combined. Fill 12 greased muffin tins with batter and sprinkle with coconut if desired (that was Owen’s way of making the ghost muffins look white!). Bake at 400 degrees for about 18 minutes.

 Candy corn may be a universal Halloween candy, but to those who don't like it, check out Vegan Lemon Flavored Candy Corn! This unique recipe is perfect for those who want a guilt-free satisfaction, but don't miss out on the taste! This does take longer to make, but you can find the recipe here. 

Your Halloween indulgence- Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes don't have to wait until Thanksgiving. Add toppings, whip, or sprinkles! Enjoy this one! You can view the recipe for the candy corn gummy, and cupcake here. 


Tell me which one is your favorite! Please leave comments and request below. 
XOXO Charlotte

Halloween Slimdown Day 6: Whole Grain Go-To Breakfasts

Instead of grabbing a granola bar as you race to the bus, make some time for a quality breakfast. Ditch the sugary cerals, and try these whole grain meals that are delicious!

Oatmeal with Apples

If you didn't already know this, but every morning I have homemade oatmeal. I make my own lunch, and my dad usually prepares the oatmeal for me. It's easy to make- pour the cup of oats into a pan, and then add water. Then put the pan on the stove and let it sit until it reaches the preferred thickness. Oats are full of fiber and grains. I've really grown to love it! If you would like more taste, add cinnimon, apples, or sliced bananas.

Puffins, Fat-Free milk, and Blueberries

Puffins are tasty high fiber ceral. They come in different flavors such as original, peanut butter, and cinnimon. One serving is about 100 calories. Add fat-free milk and some blueberries for a energy boosting breakfast.

Greek Yogurt with Fruit

Greek yogurt is a great source of calcium. Adding some raspberries or blueberries with give you a boost of energy. If you want, you can mix some oats or fiber into it. Choose greek yogurt because it is low calorie, low in fats, and is all natural!



I hope you enjoyed this post! I just want to make it clear that I don't post these to give the influence of starving yourself or being unhealthy. I do this because these things help me, and I want to share the tips with you. XOXO Charlotte

REVIEW: Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets

Blotting paper is an amazing invention. A portable sheet that soaks up dirt and sweat without smudging your makeup- WOW! I've tried various brands, but I wanted to check out Clean & Clear because most of the products from this brand that I use, work out well.  I keep these with me at school, especially for P.E./Gym. If I get sweaty, or oily, I can easily use these to soak it up, and help prevent breakouts. Without these, the oils get into your skin, mixed with the makeup, which can cause breakouts. These have not only been a life saver, but have also cleared up my skin! 

http://www.swatchandlearn.com

 CLAIMS: 

• Instantly soaks up excess oil and dirt
• Removes shine
• Won't smudge or ruin your makeup 
• Sheets will feel silky and smoother than paper

KEY POINTS: 

• Name: Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets 
• Amount: 50 sheets
• Price: $3.99-$4.99 (depending on where you purchase) 
• Where to Buy: Any Drugstore

Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets Review

Sheets

The sheets are soft and have a smooth texture. They're thin absorb oil really well.

How to Use It

You take out a sheet, and dab it onto the specific area of your face. Make sure to NOT rub. Instead of using several for your face, use one, and evenly dab around your face with sheet. Apply to wherever you feel greasy, typically your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin).

Packaging

The packaging is nice. It's very compact and easy to take around. When you open it, one sheet will automatically slide out onto the sticky edge on the other flap.

Price

It's around $4.50 for a pack of 50 sheets. That is a pretty good deal! You're getting one sheet for about $0.09. These are also usually on sale, so you can find a good deal!

PROS                                                                               

• Instantly removed oil and grease
• Doesn't smudge or ruin makeup
• Inexpensive
• Quality sheets and packaging 
• Portable

CONS

• You can't reuse the sheets

I hope you enjoyed this review! I tried to be very detailed, and try a new setup. Please tell me what you think! XOXO Charlotte

Pumpkin Beauty Queen!

For fall, having luxurious beauty products that are Autumn themed are a must! Here's some of my favorites: 

 Warm Vanilla Sugar- Bath & Body Works 
A spritz of this will lavish your skin with a warm, comforting scent. $12 for 8 fluid oz.

Harvest Spice- Philosophy
Moisturize your skin with the pumpkin orange scent that brings out the spirit of fall. $16 for 7 fluid oz.

GHOST- Lush
Ghost is a white shower gel, consisting of rose and dove orchid infusions, and a calming floral scent. 
$17.95 for 8.4 fluid oz.









Don't these all get you in the Fall spirit?! I combined a mixture of body wash, lotion, and a body splash! Please leave comments and requests below. XOXO Charlotte 

 

Halloween Slimdown Day 5: Tasty Treats!

Here's the reward you all deserve: guilt-free treats! I've held off for awhile, and just because you're being conscience doesn't mean you can't enjoy. Here are some Halloween themed desserts that everyone will love! They are all from fitsugar!

I think these are my favorite: Ghost Pops! This recipe uses natural ingredients, to keep the calories down. You can easily switch out ingredients to satisfy your sweet tooth! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried shredded coconut
• 6 raisins
• 12 chocolate chips (mini)
• 3 bananas
• 1.5 cups of orange juice (You can drink it after you dunk the bananas.)
• 6 Popsicle sticks
• 
  

Preparation

Turn a banana into a frightful ghost! Cut the banana in half widthwise and insert a popsicle stick into the flat end. Freeze for a few hours, then dip in orange juice, followed by shredded coconut. Be sure to grab the dried shredded coconut. We found that moist coconut flakes did not stick to the banana well. Place two chocolate chips for eyes and a plump raisin for the mouth.

This simple and quick Cookie Dough Balls will satisfy taste buds! Since the recipe is full of different variations, you can view it here. 

 Candy Apples Go Guilt-Free in this simple recipe that is adjustable to your liking! Check it out here! 


Have an amazing day and snack on these yummy treats! XOXO Charlotte

Halloween Slimdown Day 4: Candy SMACKDOWN!

What's the scariest part of October 31st? Not the creepy houses, or gory costumes. It's the guilt and bloat you feel after downing a bunch of empty-calorie candy. 

Here's the candies you'll want to steer clear of: 

1. Reese's Peanut Butter: A whopping 200 calories per pack! 
2. Sour Patch Kids- 1 pack is a sugary 210 calories. 
3. Butterfinger- Peanut butter and chocolaty goodness costs you 270 calories.
4. Snickers- Nuts and chocolate mix = 280 calories.
5. Kit Kat- I know, a beloved, but one original size pack is 210 calories! 

Horrific King Sizes: 

1. Kit Kat King Size: 420 calories
2. Twix King Size: 440 calories
3. Almond Joy King Size- 460 calories 
4. Butterfinger King Size- 480 calories
5. **YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE** Snickers King Size- 510 calories!!

I hope this was a good reference for everyone! I definitely did not know exactly how much was in each piece. Now I'll know what to steer clear of. Tomorrow I'll post of some of the candies that aren't in the "Hall of Horror".
XOXO Charlotte
 

Halloween Slimdown Day 3: Fat-Fighting Snacks!

In between meals, if I'm hungry, I like to lean toward a healthy snack. Sometimes it's hard to find things that are accessible (like a bag of chips), but are low-calorie, and fat burning. These are some simple ideas that will keep you on track!

Greek Yogurt
This yogurt is around 80 calories and tastes amazing! It's light and fluffy, yet fills you up. It is also low in fat and gives you tons of calcium! 






 

  Apples
Just like that say, "An apple a day, keeps the doctors away!". This saying is true! It is proven that eating a daily apple can not only keep you at a steady weight, but it can also help you lose weight. Increasing your intake of fruits and veggies will force you to not eat as much junk food, plus- apples are delicious! 

Oatmeal
Every morning, I get up, and have oatmeal for breakfast. Some people love it, some hate. I personally have grown to love it! I used to be disgusted, and now it's my go-to breakfast food. Oatmeal has natural fibers and is filling. It's low calorie: the ingredients consist of oats and water. If you want some more flavor, adding fruit such as: strawberries, bananas, or blueberries add a healthy boost!

Grapefruit
One that is highly talked about: grapefruit. This tangy, sour, fruit, actually burns fat! This curbs cravings, and can be blended, sliced, or squeezed! It is a perfect afternoon snack. When you are hungry in between lunch and dinner- try this! 










Hope you thought Day 3 was helpful! Please leave comments and requests below! I'm trying my best to post daily, so we'll see how it goes. 
XOXO Charlotte! 

Halloween Slimdown: Day 2! Light Lunch: Yummy Salad!

Who says salad has to be boring? I found this recipe from Health.com! You can find the recipe here. It's totally delicious, and around 150 calories! 

 Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon
• 2 cups shredded leftover white-meat turkey
• 1/2 cup red grapes, halved
• 1 celery stalk, sliced diagonally, 3/8-inch thick (about 1/2 cup)
• 4 cups butter lettuce

Preparation: 

1. Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl to make dressing.
2. Combine the turkey, grapes, and celery with dressing. Place 1 cup lettuce on each of 4 salad plates and top with turkey mixture

SWAP EM': 
-Grapes for dried cranberries
-Grapes for apple slices
-Celery for tomatoes
-Celery for carrots
-Turkey for chicken

The recipe serves for 4 people. One serving is about 2 cups. Depending on how you follow the recipe, this is about 150 calories! It tastes great and is good for you! 
XOXO Charlotte!  

Secret Essentails: Yep, You Need It!

You see some products and think, these have a purpose?! These items deserve a permanent home in your makeup collection, check them out! 

You need it: HIGHLIGHTER! Your brand: Benefit

High Beam: $26

This product instantly brightens your complexion. It gives a natural glow without the sparkles.

Girl Meets Pearl: $30
This liquid-pearl highlighter is light reflecting which creates a fresh, dewy look! 












 You need it: BROW CARE! Your brand: ELF and Maybelline

 ELF Brow Kit: $3
This inexpensive kit comes with two- one lighter, and one darker, shades. They easily fill in without creating a "fake effect". 

Maybelline: Great Lash Clear Mascara- $5
This clear mascara is made for lashes, and brows. I'll prime my lashes with this and then glide the brush on my brows. Sometimes my brows can move around, and get out of place. This gel keeps the brow exactly where you want it- for the whole day! 










I love these products- they are so helpful! What do you think? Please leave comments and requests below! 
XOXO Charlotte(:

I HIT 70!

TODAY I HIT 70 FOLLOWERS! Thank you so much! I remember the day I started this blog, and I have almost been blogging for 4 months! This is a hobby I enjoy so much, and for others to share that with me is great! I am hoping to do a giveaway soon. I want to know what you would want. Please vote in my "Upcoming Giveaway" poll in the sidebar. This will help me choose the prize. I'm thinking that the giveaway would either occur at 75 (5 away!!!) or 100 (30 away!!!). Please leave comments with requests and thoughts! 
Thanks! Love you all! Charlotte 

Halloween Slim-Down: Day 1!

Halloween is one week away! All the costumes and celebrating is so much fun- but the candy, and sugar overload can make you bloat and feel guilty. Each day until Halloween, I'll be posting a tip to stay on track before the night of Trick-or-Treating. 

  FIRST OFF: Stay on track! Believe you can do it! 

1.  Don't starve yourself! Eat 5 small meals a day. If you eat with moderation, you'll feel full without overloading. All you need to worry about is empty calorie treats.
2. Usually for my meals, I stay out with something healthy and something that gives me energy. For sides, stay away from things like chips, bread, salad dressing, and snack-like things (EX: nuts).  I suggest fruit. It has a satisfying taste, while giving you vitamins. Grapefruit is light and burns fat! If you don't like grapefruit, apples and bananas will work instead.  

I hope you found this helpful- stay on track! Look out for Day 2 tomorrow! 
XOXO Charlotte!
 

Shopping Through Your Closet!

Hey everyone! Today, for a lazy Sunday, my family went through their closets for things that no longer fit, or don't want. Since my siblings are girls, we tend to share clothes. Sometimes I'll even borrow things from my mom. While my *younger* sister was going through her closet, she found some jeans that she had kept in there until they fit. They were a pair of Seven for All Man Kind and Abercrombie. These actually fit! I was so happy that just my cleaning out, I could actually "buy" or find two pairs of jeans! I was so happy(: Hope this is helpful! 
Please leave comments and requests below! I'll be doing a Halloween post soon featuring my costume! 
XOXO Charlotte(:

Funky Nail Trends!

Nails are a big trend for fall. Here are some funky ones that I found: 

 HALF N' HALF! 

This adorable trend splits up to similar colors for color blocking. For fall, I recommend using orangy- burnt colors. 

SPOTTED!

This one takes practice, but you can easily find Sally Hansen Nail Strips in a similar print.

FADED!

This trend would look adorable with fall inspired colors! Starting off with a mustard, to orange, to a burnt cranberry would be totally cute!

VINTAGE ROSES!

Again, this one might be harder, but with the right tools, you could pull it off. There are nail stickers that would work well instead for an inexpensive price.

SWEET AS CANDY!

This candy coated dots are adorable! Using the right tool, you could dip the edge into each color like a canvas to get the perfect dots.

I hope you thought this was a fun, lazy Saturday read! I really enjoyed finding these pictures! Please leave comments and requests below!

XOXO Charlotte(:   

FIY: All of these pictures are from Seventeen.com

Style Star Series: Julianne Hough Part 2

This NBT star, Julianne Hough has flawless skin and gorgeous makeup! Here's some of my favorites! 

I love Julianne's flawless look. She has the girly, bouncy, pony, with flawless skin and dark lashes!

I love Julianne's album cover look. Very light and flush. Her lashes are lengthened, and her lips are light pink with a gloss.

This look is a bit more dramatic. The half up-half down hair is in waves. She has a bubble gum pink lip, and rosy cheeks. She's sporting her usual dramatic lashes. 

I hope you loved these looks as much as I did! Please leave requests for more style stars. 
XOXO Charlotte(:

Style Star Series: Julianne Hough Part 1

Julianne does it all- dancing, singing, and acting. Here's her biggest style hits: 

In my opinion, I love this dress on Julianne. Only her toned figure could pull it off. It is a love or hate piece, but I personally love! The color highlights her tan, and is girly, with a spice of edge. 

 This casual outfit that Julianne is wearing is so cute! It is something that anyone can wear, and is simple. It's pieces are accessible. She's wearing a basic tank with a knit cardi. She's pairing that with some slightly-distressed boyfriend jeans, and some flats. I love her dog! P.S. That's the same kind of dog I have!!

Footloose! Her new movie looks great, and I'm excited to see it! In it, she usually sports dark camis, shorts with cute belts, vests, and boots. Her accessories are very casual and include feathers. 

Hope you enjoyed this! Julianne is very inspirational, and has great style! I'll be posting Part 2 tomorrow featuring her makeup and beauty. Please leave requests and comments below!
XOXO Charlotte(:

FALL FAD: CUTE SWEATS!

During Fall and Winter, there are a lot of casual days. These sweats are cozy and in style!

I love these navy ones! They're from Aeropostale and look so cute! They're around $20, which is a pretty good deal! 

 This charcoal pair from Abercrombie is a bit more pricey ($30), but they last along time, and maintain their stretch! 

 These are definitely one of my favorites: Victoria Secret Pink Yoga Pants. They range from about $25-$40. They have a bunch of designs, and different styles including: legging, bootcut, and cropped. They are totally worth the splurge! 

I hope you enjoyed this FALL FAD! Please leave comments and requests below. 
XOXO Charlotte(:

 

Toning Tip: 5 Ways to Cut Calories

Toning and getting fit takes exercise- but you also have to diet right. No skipping meals, and don't starve because that doesn't work! Eat 5 small meals a day! I'll be posting a daily meal routine soon. You should start by cutting off 100-200 calories of your daily value. This depends on what you eat already. Just because no one eats with you doesn't mean that it doesn't count. I would start by eliminating the bad, junk food that sneaks into your snack. Here are 5 ways to cut calories: 

1. Stay away from the casual snack. You want to pass on small candies, nuts, chips, or bread. Although you might be snacking, you'll eat more than you think. A bag of chips can have as much as 400 empty-calories. Depending on how many handfuls you take, nuts can have as much as 200-525 calories! Little candies many seem like a small bit, but even the smallest piece can have as much as 200 calories, and a few could add up to your daily calorie intake.
2. Limit salad toppings and dressings. You may think that having a green salad with some tomatoes is a healthy snack, but half a cup of Caesar salad dressing has more than 500 calories! Either choose a low-cal, fat-free version, or pass. Also, adding croutons, bacon, cheese, and nuts to your salad adds up. Instead, try tomatoes, cucumbers, or red peppers. 
3. Use smaller plates. Switch out your 12 in. plate for a 10 in. one. The size makes a difference. Studies say that the small your plate is, the less you'll eat. You eat 20-25% less, and can save as much as 400 calories. You won't feel starved, only more satisfied.
4. Skip the whip. Especially now that the winter weather is here, skipping the whip is extremely important. You can drop 100-200 calories on buying a "no whip" drink from Starbucks instead. If you are a whip cream addict, I suggest getting cool whip- either low calorie or fat free. It'll save you 75-125 calories! 
5. Don't drink up your calorie intake. Most people forget about the caloric drinks they intake. A 12 ounce soft drink or soda has 150-200 calories. A regular Gatorade may seem tasty after practice, but that can add up to 200 calories. Things like lemonade and milk may seem more on the heartier-healthier path, but a glass of 2% milk can have over 150 calories, and a regular lemonade is about the same 150+. I would go for a low calories or fat free version for both. For the milk, you could save 50-75 calories. For the lemonade, you could try a version instead for only 5 calories!! Also, stay away from smoothies unless you know the exact ingredients. Some are made with ice cream which can bump up the calories for a bloating feeling. 

I hope you found these helpful! If you would like more, or different varieties of Toning Tips, please leave a comment or request below! Thanks for all the helpful feedback.
xoCharlottexo