My Workout Essentials

It's time for another fitness update!  I know it's been a while, but I wanted to share my must-haves with you guys today on Sensible Stylista.  Staying in shape has never been harder - with school, work, blogging and whatnot, it's been tough keeping a steady exercise regimen.  I always used to rail on people who used "I don't have time" as an excuse, but I'm kinda starting to feel sympathetic!  I haven't been able to work out daily, but I try to squeeze it in at least 2-3 times a week.  I know that's weak, but I just gotta power through this month!  Plus, better some than none, right?  Things will be much easier once I finish teaching + my residency at Strathmore - I'll make sure to go extra hard this summer to compensate!

1.  TKO Running Belt ($9.99) - Founded by Garry Kurtz, TKO was first a boxing company, but has since evolved into a health and fitness equipment, accessory and apparel lifestyle-brand.  Kurtz is committed to building a brand comprised of high quality, innovative products that are accessibly priced.  Presently, they sells boxing gloves, punching towers, cross fit gear, yoga mats, and more! Convenience and practicality go hand in hand with a successful work out.  Therefore, this running belt is essential for many hands-free activities.  This item's water-resistant and has two expandable pockets that accommodate a mobile device, keys, wallets, and other essentials while remaining sleek in appearance.

2.  Polar A300 Fitness Tracker ($125.97) - Counting calories is a must IMO - I'm a huge fan of food journaling because I believe 80% of your bod is made in the kitchen.  This fitness tracker helps me keep everything organized.  I'm strict about how much I burn vs. how much I eat so it's crucial for me to track my stats.  I bought this watch years ago, and I still use it religiously every time I get my sweat on!  I also like to keep an eye on my heart rate to make sure I'm making the most of every sesh. Personally, I'm a big fan of HIIT because it's the efficient - it gives you an all-day metabolic boost, while burning the most possible fat in the shortest amount of time.

3.  Great Gear Infuser Bottle ($10.97) - This water bottle is everything.  If you're a fan of flavored water, this item's a must-have.  Do yourself a favor and invest in this infuser to save a buttload of money!  Why pay a ridonkulous amount of dough on drinks when you can create your own delish concoctions at home? I personally love filling this baby up with raspberries, lemons, and cucumbers...er, not all at the same time, of course.  Also, the spout's totally leak proof - it has a locking lid - so you don't have to worry about getting water all over yourself when you're exercising.

4.  T25 by Shaun T - After completing Insanity, I knew I had to try this series out.  Words can't express how much I love this set - with T25, 25 minutes is all you need to get into tip-top shape.  It contains three phases total:  alpha, beta, and gamma (15 different modules).  You get a good mix of cardio + strength training, and you don't need any heavy duty equipment, just resistance bands and/or a set of free weights!  If you're constantly pressed for time, this is the workout for you. Seriously.  I know it's pricy, but it's worth every penny.  You're welcome in advance. 

5 Easy Ways to Display Your Jewelry Like a Boss

1.  Showcase statement pieces on pretty dishes. My personal favorite is a decoupage glass tray handcrafted by Ben Busko - I like to display my cocktail rings on it! Mine says "life starts at the edge of your comfort zone," and it's available HERE for purchase.  However, you can order custom trays in different sizes - they're made-to-order, and you can personalize it with keepsakes, wedding invites and family photographs. Place one of these babies on your coffee table to elevate your interior game tenfold.

2.  Hang your long necklaces.  I absolutely love jewelry holders like the ones pictured below because they double as wall art.  Personally, I'm a huge fan of Urban Outfitters' interior selection.  Their pieces tend to be on the pricier side, but they're unique and high-quality so they're well worth the $$$ IMO.  However, stores like TJMaxx, Marshalls, and Ross sell cute ones from time to time so keep your eyes peeled if you'd rather wait it out.  

Left || Middle || Right

3.  Display your bracelets on the necks of wine bottles.  I absolutely love repurposing them - in fact, so much so that I'm thinking about writing a post on the many uses they have!  Let me know if you think I should by commenting below.  I personally like to group different sizes together (tall vs. short, thin vs. fat, you get the point).  Vary your bracelet stack for an effortlessly cool vibe - you want to showcase different styles like I did below.

4.  Store jewelry in re-purposed containers.  Save cute boxes and hold your accessories in them! It's really as simple as that.  Stack them on trays or place them on shelves to incorporate fun pops of color.  I personally don't see the need to purchase new ones when I can simply re-use items I already have.  As you can see below, I kept boxes from Laduree, Kendra Scott, and Kate Spade.

5.  Organize your necklaces on a shoe rack.  A few years ago, I bought this shoe rack on Gilt because I thought it'd look cute in my apartment (which it did), but it unfortunately damaged my heels by widening the fronts of them.  I thought about throwing it away, but the frugal side of me kicked and thought, "hm, it's still in perfect condition - maybe I could use it to store something else?"  Yeah, I'm SO glad I didn't trash it because it's a super convenient and fun way to display my statement necklaces.  I especially love that each "level" rotates!  

I hope you guys found these tips useful!  How do you guys like to display your jewelry?  

AOL Summer Beauty Awards

I'm stoked to announce that I'm one of AOL's summer beauty judges!  I don't know if you guys remember, but last year, I adjudicated their fall awards - click here if you missed it.  Now, if you guys follow me on snapchat (which you should BTW, ha - my handle's @sensiblestylist), you saw the slew of goodies they sent me.  I'll be telling y'all about my absolute favorites today on Sensible Stylista.

1.  Fekkai Pré-Soleil Hair Radiance & Protection Mist ($19.99) - This product's a must-have for those of you who enjoy frolicking around in the sun.  This mist helps protect your mane from damaging threats like color fade and dehydration while adding radiant shine - it contains a UV filter that basically acts as an invisible shield for your hair. Shake well and spritz it on before and during outdoor shenanigans for best results.  Note:  the directions say to "spray all over," but I recommend exercising self-control because a little goes a long way.  2-3 pumps are more than enough!

2.  Bliss Drench 'n' Quench Lock-in Moisturizer ($38) - I've been obsessed with Bliss body cream for years now, but for some strange reason, I never got around to trying their facial moisturizers.  I'm really glad I had the opportunity to do so though because this item's legit.  It smells amazing and works well with all skin types - I have combination skin, and this product does a great job hydrating. However, what I really love about the product is its texture.  The gel-like consistency feels refreshing and leaves skin soft and supple, which is perfect for summer!

3.  Instanatural Argan Oil Thermal Spray ($13.25) - Heat-protector sprays are an absolute must in my book - the last thing you want to do is fry your hair when styling it so if you use any heat whatsoever, you need to make sure you prevent damage by spritzing this on beforehand.  Instanatural's thermal spray acts as both a protector spray and leave-in conditioner so you're getting major bang for your buck. This product contains 100% pure and organic argan oil from Morocco so your hair's receiving max nourishment and shine.

4.  Mary Kay Lash Love Waterproof Mascara ($15) - I'm super impressed with this mascara.  It does a great job lengthening and creates mad volume without any clumping so feel free to get your layer on if you want!  This formula's ophthalmologist-tested so it's suitable for those with sensitive eyes, and the product strengthens and conditions because it contains the following ingredients:  pro vitamin B5, phytantriol, and vitamin E.

5.  Fiona Stiles Ultra Smooth Waterproof Eye Defining Pencil ($16) - Straight up obsessed with this eyeliner.  It goes on super smooth and is highly pigmented.  The color lasts all day and doesn't smudge at all!  I've only tried metallic brown, but I'm going to purchase matte black and carlyle in the near future.  If you're looking for creamy liner that glides on effortlessly and stays put, give this baby a shot!

6.  Amika Triple RX Nourishing Hair Mask ($38) - If you're looking for a solid intensive hair treatment, look no further.  This product works really well!  The mask combines obliphica (aka sea buckthorn berry), Amika's signature ingredient, with borage oil and west african shea butter. The former strengthens and softens while the latter coats the hair shaft to condition and protect.  Use this once a week to up your hair game!  Massage it into your scalp and leave it on for 5 minutes or so before rinsing it off thoroughly with warm water.  You'll see immediate results!

7.  Lumene Bright Now Vitamin C Sleeping Cream ($11.89) - Honestly, I'm shocked that this product is under $12.  I tried to find it on Ulta, but unfortunately, they don't carry it so I linked it to Amazon instead.  If you're looking to brighten your complexion, make sure you pick this up STAT.  It nourishes while improving one's moisture balance.  

Have you guys tried any of these products?  If yes, which ones and did you like them?