how to incorporate exercise into your day

As I've mentioned many times, exercising and being (sort of) fit is important to me. Sometimes, though, I know it can be hard to incorporate enough movement into your day... so here's how I do it!

In the morning...
-Toss and turn. All that wiggling has got to burn some calories! (Also, wear extremely thick flannel pjs, preferably ones with floral patterns from the 60s... and wrap yourself in quilts... it's like your own personal sauna!)

-Put on knee socks. First step: turn them right side out, because they will inevitably be rolled in a ball. (Actually, that's the third step. First step is putting them on and realising that you have to take them off. Second step is falling off your bed while trying to take them off because they're so tight that yanking them off is a full-body exercise.)

-Alternatively, wear tights. They will be so itchy and irritating that you'll dance all day long! (Or eventually become so frustrated that you are willing to peel them off in front of all your fellow coworkers/students... of course I'd never do that -shifty eyes-)

During the day...

-Perform advanced fidgeting. Tap your feet. Or your fingers. Or bob your head from side to side. You may look like a deranged bobcat, but at least you're staying fit! (Another advantage: no one will want to sit beside you, so you'll have more room to spread out!)

-Drink lots of tea or coffee. What does this have to do with working out, you ask? Well, you'll have to a) stand up to prepare it and b) get up about 50 times during the day to go pee. (Plus, green tea and coffee both boost your metabolism... although I doubt a sugary macchiato really helps in that respect.)

-Play with your hair. Put it in a ponytail. Then decide that you don't like how it looks and put it into a messy bun. When the messy bun falls out, brush it with your fingers. With all this up and down, your shoulders will be toned in no time!)

...Or you could just go to the gym. That works too.

how to look like a monster (or be gorgeous!)

As a girl, I consider it my sacred duty to look gorgeous... 90% of the time. Why not 100%, you may ask? Well, because that extra 10% is spent in looking absolutely horrendous (one of my friends described it aptly when she said "Iike a swamp monster") in order to look even better later.

I'm talking, of course, about the application of beauty products. Who amongst us has never tried applying a facial? They're fun, easy, and painless. (Well, mostly.) Here are some I like using!

Hair

As a natural blonde (mostly) sometimes I find my colour getting a little dull. In order to brighten myself up, I use one of these two solutions.

Honey- Wet hair. Towel dry (so that it's not dripping) and apply a thick coat of honey from roots to ends. (The amount necessary depends on how much hair you have; I use around 3 tablespoons.) Leave for approximately an hour (or until your hair is mostly dry) then wash out. (Put in lots of conditioner afterwards- you might be feeling a little dry.)

Lemon juice-  Squeeze juice from a lemon. Apply to hair. (I use around 1.) Go outside (in the sun) and let it dry; wash out. (Like the honey, it's drying, so use extra conditioner.)

Afterwards, you might want to try this!

Avocado mask: Mash up 1/2 an avocado. Add 1 egg and 1/4 cup olive oil. Apply to damp hair. Let sit for 1/2 an hour (or so...) then wash out. (This is best if your hair is already dry, otherwise it might get a bit greasy.)

Face

I have fairly oily skin, so I like to do one of these once or twice a week to reduce it. Always apply lotion after so you don't get too dried out!

Strawberry: Mash up a strawberry (or two, depending on the size) and mix in a drop or two of honey. Apply to face; let dry for approximately 10 minutes, and wash off. (Be warned: you'll look like a burn victim. Also, don't go outside- bugs quite appreciate it. This one is drying, and good for acne-prone or oily skin.)

Oatmeal: Grind a teaspoon of oatmeal. Mix in a teaspoon of plain yogurt and a few drops of honey. Apply to face; let dry for around 20 minutes, then wash off. (Feels nice and refreshing, although you'll look like all the skin on your face is flaking off... Here's a picture:

 Gorgeous, isn't it?)

Orange peel: I buy orange peel power like this:

...mix in a bit of water, and apply it to my face. This one truly gives you the swamp monster look!

Let dry, and once it's cracky and flaky, wash off. It's quite drying, and your face is red for a few hours afterwards, but it's also very cleansing.

Tomato: So, okay, this one isn't really a mask... Just take either a slice or one baby tomato and rub it all over your face. Let dry (around 10 minutes) and wash off. (Don't the seeds fall in your eyes!)

Peel: This one's good if your skin feels extremely dirty. Take 1 tablespoon of Knox gelatin (make sure it's fresh, otherwise this won't work!) and mix in 1 teaspoon of water. Heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Stir. Apply to face with makeup sponge (not one you're planning on using again, obviously) then let sit. Peel once it feels a little drier, but not completely dry. (This part is SO MUCH FUN! However, I stress again, don't leave it too long or put on too thin a coat, because then it HURTS.) You can also use Jello to make a sugar scrub.

And, just so that your body is nice and clean too:

Exfoliating Body Scrub

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla (or other scent)

2 tablespoons olive oil (or other oil)

(This smells- and will make you smell- extremely dessert-like. Even knowing the contents, I was tempted to eat a spoonful.)

And that's the end of it! Easy and cheap recipes, made with everyday ingredients. Have you ever done any of these? What kind of beauty tips and tricks do you use?

darling diy- kitty skirt

I made my first DIY clothing project when I was about ten or so. It was the cutest little shrug, and I couldn't wait to wear it. As soon as I got home from my friends' house, I put it on with the hugest grin on my face. I thought I looked absolutely adorable!

However, other people had other ideas. Namely,my father.As soon as he saw me, he burst out laughing and said, "They're shirtless sleeves!"

I never wore that little shrug again.

All this to explain why I rarely do DIY clothing projects. (Now you know the secret trauma of my childhood.That and once being forced to drink an entire glass of milk-the horror!) However, when I saw this darling little kitty skirt over at Scathingly Brilliant, I knew I had to make it and show all of you wonderful readers how I decided to make it.

Materials: Black, white and red felt, a plain black skirt, a needle and thread, and two buttons. (Note that the colours of all of these things can be changed, depending on what colour you want your cat to be.)

Instructions: 
1. Cut out your cat ear shapes- 4 identical black triangles and 2 identical white ones- and stitch them together. (Or, you really hate sewing, you could use iron-on transfer sheets or a hot glue gun.)

2. Cut out your little nose shape from the red felt, attach it to the iron-on transfer fabric and iron it to your skirt! (Make sure not to attach it in a... suggestive area.)

3. Sew on the buttons, just above the nose. 

4. Sew on the ears. (I used a double seam so that they popped out even more.)

And... that's it! Here it is on the floor: 

I was worried that it would draw attention to my stomach, but the cut of the skirt actually makes it really flattering! Once again on me (just because it's so cute!):

What do you think? Would you wear a kitty skirt? 

Even better, it starts with a D- so I could join in on the Delicious and Dapper linkup over at Jenny Matlock's blog! Go and check out some more of the Dramatic and Dimpled posts!