magical mondays--- Because it doesn't always have to suck!

 

 

Monday often becomes labelled as the red-headed stepchild of the seven day week, but that’s only if we aren’t prepared for it and choose not to take advantage of all that it offers. 

 

Today, I’d like to reveal four tips on how to ensure that Monday becomes a much more enjoyable day in the work week. After all, Monday is the first impression for the rest of the week that sets the tone and can potentially become a day that instead of dreading becomes a day that is respected for its ability to keep us grounded, helping to balance our work and play in a successful manner.

 

Use the Weekend as a Springboard

While every weekend has its own unique identity, there are a handful of regular things I make sure to do before Monday rolls around in order to help make Monday as successful and productive as possible. Here are my five regular things to do during the weekend no matter what else I may have planned.

Check off the To-Dos

There are usually errands that can’t be completed during the week that begin to pile up just waiting to be dealt with when Saturday arrives.  Take the time to group them all together and complete them on Saturday rather than Sunday so that you aren’t burdening yourself with the reminder all weekend of this nagging task.

Stay on Schedule

With regards to your body, try to sleep 6-8 hours as well as staying as close to your “to bed” and “to rise” times as well. Adhering to the same times as best as possible keeps your body in a rhythm, so that when Monday arrives, waking up at five, six or seven, isn’t a shock.

Relax

Scheduling time to relax is a must.  After all, unwinding and getting lost in activities we love is what the weekends are for.  In order to perform our best during the week, we must strike a balance and rejuvenate over the weekend.

 

 

 

Don’t Overbook

Simply because everything you have planned for the weekend involves activities and people you love, be diligent about not overbooking yourself which may potentially cause you to see the week as more of a respite than the two day weekend.  Be savvy with your energy levels and time.  After all, we only have so much to give and use.

A Moment to Plan

Call me crazy, but this is something that I look forward to during my Sunday afternoons. Carving out time to sit down with my planner and look at the week in front of me, prepares me for what I have to accomplish and reminds me that getting a good night’s sleep is imperative if I’m going to function at my best. This is also a great time to plan the week’s meals, create a grocery list and make sure all of the clothes you will need are washed, laundered and ready to be worn.

• Plan weekly meals
• Grocery Shop
• Laundry – ironing, dry cleaners, etc

 

 

A Workout is a Must

Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, made a simple suggestion for a happier week that until I had read was something I never considered, but at the same time, wondered why I hadn’t thought of it earlier.  Always workout on Monday. Why? Beginning the week by checking one workout off your list immediately as the week begins and taking the time to take of your body is sure to have a positive effect on your energy levels and mood.

Tackle the Tough First

When you get to work, choose to complete a task that will bring great relief when it is successfully put to bed.  Knowing you have been quite productive early in the week provides inspiration and lifts your confidence as you proceed through the week, ultimately setting a positive tone.

A Good Night’s Sleep

I know I mentioned it at the beginning of the post, but because of its importance, it’s worth repeating.  Go to bed at a decent time, so that when that alarm clock begins to sing, you are capable of starting the day out on the right foot.

With these simple tips, Monday no longer has to be a day to dread, but instead can become a day to ground us and begin the week on a very good note.

 

Wishing you an any colour Monday... but blue!

ways to look wonderful!

Tips For Looking Fantastic Each Day

 

 

 New York Fashion Week has come and gone and while the shows continue across the pond, I’m always left dreaming and wondering how I can update, incorporate and build upon the wardrobe I already have with the ideas that were shown on the runways. Such questions can cause anyone to throw their hands up with all of the choices, so I’d like to leave you with five tips on how to effortlessly and confidently leave the house each morning looking stylish, pulled together and most importantly, comfortable in your own skin.

Listen To Candice Bergen

Faith Ford once shared the best piece of advice she received regarding fashion from working with Candice Bergen on the set of Murphy Brown – whether your outfit is Chanel or hand me downs, a quality shoe instantly transforms the look from something so-so, to something with tremendous style.  Never cut corners when it comes to your footwear.

 

Have A Solid Foundation

Lauren Conrad recently shared in her soon to be released book Lauren Conrad Style that by beginning your entire look centered upon one easy piece such as a sheath dress, you’ve already won half of the battle. Now all that is needed is some complementary accessories and beautifully coiffed hair, topped off with stunning flats or heels.

 

Choose Correctly

Undergarments that is.  The easiest way to add sophistication or to take it away has everything to do with the lingerie and support clothing that is worn underneath.  Consider them absolute necessities when it comes to looking your best.

 

Don’t Leave Home Without It

The perfect tote for day or clutch for evening is a simple way to add a pop of glitz to a neutral outfit, or a touch of sophistication to an outfit that you’re taking a risk with. The purse a woman carries with her is quite revealing, so be sure to always consider what you want to say.

Add A Belt

A quick and simple way to add a touch of femininity is to show off your waist with the perfect belt.  Whether it be a corset or a skinny belt, the effect can do wonders to pull an outfit that was otherwise just okay to something that is absolutely stunning.

Add A Pop Of Color

Sticking with neutrals for the majority of your wardrobe and adding color by way of your accessories, jacket or shoes, is an easy way to change up the same pair of trousers, dress or beautiful cashmere sweater.

Now rest assured, you will look fantastic each day whether you are wearing a piece of clothing for the first time or simply changing up an item that continually impresses with each outing.

skinny!!

 

 

Skinny fat ( adjective ): to appear skinny, but feel soft. Someone who is naturally thin but doesn’t ever work out. On the site, Urban Dictionary, they state ‘skinny fat’ means “to look slim, even with revealing clothes, but when touched, the touching hand sinks into fat before reaching the muscle.”

 

My Fitness Pal says “skinny fat is having a normal BMI but an obese level of body fat percentage. Studies have found that approximately 29% of people with average BMI fall into the ‘skinny fat’ definition.

 

After researching the controversial topic, I’ve come to the following conclusions:

 

Anyone who thinks ‘skinny fat’ is fine, may as well be smoking crack.

 

Skinny fat is bad.bad.bad. I mean, really!! Wake up! Just because someone’s skinny doesn’t mean they’re healthy!

 

Puhhhh-lease.

 

Get real: if you eat like shit, you feel like shit, & eventually you’ll look like shit.

 

 

So. If you fall in to the ‘skinny fat’ category how can you fix it?

 

Duh! The old fashion way: clean eating, drinking tons of water, cutting back on rubbish, & obviously- EXERCISE!

 

Because honestly? If you’re already thin to begin with, don’t you want to be the best, toned version of yourself?

Don’t forget: 80% of success is showing up!!! See you at the gym ; )

period.

 

 

Let’s talk periods.

 

 

It shouldn’t be some top secret, taboo, hush-hush topic. I mean, if you’re a female you’re most likely a member ( or retired member ) of the super fun menstrual club.

 

 

Here’s the deal: Aunt Flow causes cramps, irritation, & the world’s worst bloat. After researching WTF to eat for an easier period, this is what I came up with:

 

 

1.} Lentils: they’ll help to perk you up when energy levels are low. Lentils contain lots of fiber which alleviates bloating.

 

2.} Cilantro: yes, indeed. Add cilantro to your fresh AM juice. It’s the best natural anti-inflammatory ever!

 

3.} Walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, almonds: a great source of omega-3 fatty acids! Also, wild salmon is fab too. These contain Vit B-6 which helps relieve premenstrual cravings & exhaustion.

 

 

4.} Water: just.drink.it. Add a few squeezes of lemon because it’s wonderful for pesky, period pimples.

 

 

5.} Green veggies: because duh…? When are vegetables NOT amazing to eat? They’re high in calcium, magnesium, & potassium which relieve cramps & bloat.

 

 

6.} Watermelon: this fruit’s my jam. I love, love, love sliced watermelon when it’s my time of the month. It contains tons of water & it’s a natural diuretic.

 

 

7.} Pineapple: this contains high levels of bromelain, an enzyme that relaxes muscles & prevents cramping. MY FAVORITE FRUIT! but do be weary those of you that suffer with IBS, pineapple is acidic and can have a bad effect on the body.

 

 

8.} Tea: ginger tea relieves stomach pains! I like to add fresh ginger to my green tea.

So step away from the sugary shit & eat foods that will help alleviate symptoms & sickie bloating!

 

 

Other tips:

1.} Stay the F away from sugar. If you have to eat some sugs, grab dark chocolate. It’s full of antioxidants.

 

2.} Workout, peeps. If you move your body it will help with cramps. Stretching is great too!

Good luck : )!

 

Oh! And P.S. guys don’t get it- they’ll never get it ( they understand periods like they understand multi-tasking..HA!! ). So save the bitching for your girlfriends.

back to basics!!!

Hi everyone, I am back again, I'm so sorry for my long period of absence, my hectic life is no excuse to stop blogging.

Firstly I would like to say thank you to everyone that views this page, I logged on after a very very long time and was pleasantly surprised to see that the fabfitfun blog has 27 884 views!! THANK YOU everyone.

 

and secondly I would like to say that I have been very busy with exams so I did not have time to blog at all. BUT exams are over... and now IM BACK!!!

 

I am very ashamed to say that for the last few months, April may and June, my eating habits have become ridiculously atrocious, That can be seen by the pictures I have been posting on the facebook page 'fabulous fit and fun' , I have eaten whatever I wanted, when I wanted and how much I wanted without taking into account what will happen to my body, but now that exams are over and I am back to blogging, I will definitely definitely be more gracious about what I eat and I will be back at the gym punishing myself for eating more than my body mass.

 

So to those of you who are in the same predicament as me, we can be healthy together and eat only good and wholesome foods. After such a bad few months of eating , its become habit to eat badly so we have to go back to basics and start fresh, learning self control and restraint.

 

GOOD LUCK!!!

The weekend ...

 

 

Arrange a simple bouquet of tulips, give me a book that piques my curiosity and let me lounge for the two days the weekend provides.

I can’t express fully enough how ecstatic I am to see the weekend arrive. Busy living a life of one’s dreams still requires of the dreamer time to rest, and I plan on partaking in this necessity tout de suit! So as always and especially, I would love to hear about your weekend plans if you’d like to share.

 

There has been many blog posts this week, be sure to check them out.

 

 

Have a lovely weekend, and thank you very much for stopping by. Until Monday, bonjour.

The Great Gatsby - Vogue US may 2013

With the much anticipated Baz Luhrman’s rendition of The Great Gatsby set to be released next month at the Cannes Film Festival (May 10th), It would only make sense that I blog about it, since I have been waiting for a re-make of the movie since my matric year 2010. I absolutely adore the book-- I would most definitely list it as one of my favourites and I am sure with all the pomp and splendour The Great Gatsby has to offer, It will be added onto everybody's "favourite" list.

 

As the sixth film rendition of the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald is set to debut, it appears it will be sparing no expense or detail as earlier released photos and trailers have shown (see below). And of course for the wardrobe, a detail I’ve been greatly anticipating as I adore the flapper, art deco era - Miuccia Prada was chosen by costume designer Catherine Martin to create over 40 looks inspired by styles from the Prada and Miu Miu archives.

 

The female stars of the cast, which include Vogue’s cover girl Carey Mulligan who plays the careless, fun-loving, fashion forward Daisy Buchanan, will be wearing ensembles intended to blend “European glamour, sophistication and elegance” revealing a taste of the luxurious eccentricities that the east coast aristocratic lifestyle was revealing a predilection for during the roaring twenties. Brooks Brothers has clothed the male cast which includes Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay Gatsby), Tobey Maguire (Nick Carraway) and Joel Edgerton (Tom Buchanan).

 

 

 

Chanel Haute Couture

 

 

 

Oscar De La Renta

 

 

Chanel Haute Couture

 

 

Dior Haute Couture

 

 

A Miu Miu Gown

 

 

Alexander McQueen

 

 

Nina Ricci

 

It is quite clear that the wardrobe alone will be something to see, apart from the star-cast and amazing story line.

Grab your Vogue 2013 US to see the complete editorial.

 

 

The Pre-released Prada Sketches for the movie:

 

 

 

The film is full of star power from the cast, to the designer and even the soundtrack which is set to be available on May 7th. Have a look at the playlist below:

1. 100$ Bill - Jay-Z
2. Back To Black - Beyoncé x André 3000
3. Bang Bang - will.i.am
4. A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got) - Fergie + Q Tip + GoonRock
5. Young And Beautiful - Lana Del Rey
6. Love Is The Drug - Bryan Ferry with The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
7. Over The Love - Florence + The Machine
8. Where The Wind Blows - Coco O. of Quadron
9. Crazy in Love - Emeli Sandé and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
10. Together – The xx
11. Hearts A Mess - Gotye
12. Love Is Blindness – Jack White
13. Into the Past - Nero
14. Kill and Run – Sia

Intrigued? Well, it’s imperative to understand the aesthetics of Baz Luhrman films. If you’ve seen Moulin Rouge and his rendition of Romeo & Juliet, you won’t be surprised; however, if you haven’t, be prepared for what I expect to be, while accurate regarding the basic plot of the novel, sure to include unique modern and special effect touches (i.e. the designs, music, scenes, etc) that enliven the screen and appetize your eyes and ears. Simply watch the trailer to see what I mean. Needless to say, so long as the classic tale is told, I can’t wait to enjoy it when it reaches nationwide theaters early this winter.