MAJOR Designer Dupe!!

I have found quite possibly the best designer shoe dupe of the season.. 

I just saved you $570.20... 

You're welcome.

Proud of Myself,

RaiseYourGloss

Bikinis Right on Target

Holy guacamole... I just went to Target today, and they have the CUTEST summer bikinis! All of these styles are $20 or less!

I got the bottom left (purple) and right (blue). Being a "well-endowed" female, strapless tops never really work out that well on me.

Grab them before they're gone! 

RaiseYourGloss

Shake It Up! (Not the Show)

This is my first-ever mobile blog post.. crossing my fingers that it works out well!

I always get asked for healthy snack ideas, so here is one of my absolute favorites: Dole Shakers. I've had many a smoothie around town, and I can honestly say that these are in my top 3. The fact that they can be found at your local grocery store for a great price doesn't hurt, either.

Warning, the process to make these is super complicated..

JK! 

It takes about 5 minutes for the Shaker mix to thaw, but other than that, you can just add your favorite juice, shake it vigorously and be on your merry way.

One last thing that I love about Dole Shakers is the freedom I have to mix up the flavor of my smoothie. Yes, they give you base flavors - strawberry and peach-mango, for example - but you get to choose what juice to add. Personally, I'm a huge orange-mango juice fan, so that's always my go-to selection.

Try Shakers for yourself and comment in the downbar telling me what you think!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go finish my smoothie before it melts.

Yours truly,

RaiseYourGloss

It's Hip to be Fit!

I'm not a health junkie. I don't thrive off of protein shakes or work out three times a day. I like to splurge sometimes, take a day off, eat the food I want and relax.

For people like me, working out can often be a daunting task. Yes, I always make myself do it, but it's so difficult to find a workout that has both of these key qualities:

1. Effective
2. FUN

Finding an entertaining workout for me is like trying to find an endangered species - nearly impossible. However, I was recently introduced to an entirely new kind of fitness that blends my love of dance with my need to be fit: hip hop aerobics!

You don't even have to be a good dancer to join this class. All it requires is enthusiasm (and willingness to sweat). I personally love it because it doesn't feel like a workout; It feels like I'm dancing at a giant hip hop party! The instructor presents you with specially-designed moves that flow with the music while targeting certain muscle areas, many of which you didn't even know existed until then. Plus, the cardio is amazing. Trust me - you might think you are toned, but after this class, you'll feel like you could be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

If hip hop isn't your thing, don't fret. Aerobic dance classes come in infinite varieties, and many of them are a combination of dance styles. Salsa is definitely one of the most popular dances, with moves that focus especially on your core strength and hip movement.

If you like to shake your stuff on the dance floor, take that enthusiasm and turn it into your new favorite workout. I guarantee that Google will supply you with plenty of studios in your area.

Sore from today's class,
RaiseYourGloss

Smokin' Hot!

I'm not an advocate for smoking, but I am an advocate for the latest spring/summer trend: smoking slippers.

Finally, a shoe that is trendy AND comfortable! They first caught my eye on Emma Roberts' Instagram - Emma is a true fashion icon - and I immediately fell in love with their chic, eclectic look. They're like penny loafers for the 21st century. 

Granted, Emma's are Alexander McQueen, so they are way out of my budget. 

Don't worry - as with any trend, smoking slippers are being produced everywhere and are available in styles to suit any budget. To get you started, here are a few of my latest finds:

Forever 21 - $24.80

Target - $19.99

Urban Outfitters - $79.99

Stay tuned for a video on how to style these babies - you'll be surprised at how versatile they can be!

Always ready to give you the "slip" (cheesy pun intended),

RaiseYourGloss

The Kat's Meow

I officially declare Kat von D as my woman crush.

She's infamous for her tattoos, and now she's conquering the beauty world as well with her new makeup line (Named Kat von D, of course).

Rather than having one superstar product that stands out from the rest, Kat von D's entire cosmetic line has proven itself to be a necessity for even the most distinguished of makeup artists. This has been an unexpected success for von D, who originally intended on a temporary partnership with Sephora.

Why the success? It's simple: her product quality is incredible. The concealers provide full coverage, the lipsticks last all day without drying up.. each and every creation of von D's is fabulous. It's almost impossible for me to narrow it down, but here are two of my favorites:

Kat von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation

If you want full coverage without looking cakey, this is the foundation for you. I am in love with how smooth it feels on my face, not to mention that a dime-sized pump covers my entire face! Definitely worth the money.

Kat von D Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick

I am so OCD about keeping my lips moisturized, so I go insane when my lip color dries them up. It's so rare to find long-lasting color that doesn't turn your pout into the Sahara Desert! Luckily, Kat von D is - once again - my savior. I carry this lipstick in my purse at all times.

I dare you to go to your local Sephora and try some of these products out for yourself. Trust me, you won't be sorry.

Applying von D lipstick as we speak,

RaiseYourGloss

Don't Hate on Kate!

It came as no surprise to me that Kate Upton was mentioned on the news this morning. She's at the top of her game as a supermodel, famous for her - erm, well-endowed - figure, flaunting it on the latest cover of Vogue.

What surprises me is the criticism she is getting.  It's not the kind of feedback one expects about a magazine cover - usually, people display opinions about the appeal of the cover itself (the outfit, the pose, the photoshopping, etc.). This time, Vogue is taking fierce blows from the model community for featuring Upton on the cover. 

"She looks like a squishy brick," complains online blogger Skinny Gurl.

This disappoints me beyond compare. I thought we were past this as a beauty community, building a support system for women of all sizes. Clearly the old catch phrase "thin is in" has yet to leave the size-zero model industry. I, for one, support Kate Upton and commend her for the dignified way in which she is handling the situation. 

"I really just live my life," she shared. "I love my body. It’s what God gave me! I feel confident with myself, and if that inspires other women to feel confident with their bodies, great. It’s kind of funny to think, 'Oh, wow, the news is talking about whether I’m fat or not.'”

News flash: Kate Upton is NOT FAT. Just because you're not a size zero doesn't mean that you're unhealthy. Everyone's body is unique. She loves to exercise and is a huge advocate for healthy eating, so clearly she is not the "lazy couch potato" that miss Skinny Gurl claims she is. If anything, she is healthier than the majority of the women in her industry. 

I'm going to take the high road here and try to understand this from the haters' point of view. Perhaps, they are so accustomed to living under the "thin" norm that anything else comes as a shock to them. I imagine that scene in Zoolander where a brainwashed Derek Zoolander is trained to respond violently upon hearing a specific song; These poor critics, brainwashed by the industry, see a curvy woman and are innately triggered to attack her!

I give props to Kate for staying true to herself. She has become a role model in her own right, setting a new standard for the model industry as a woman who embraces her natural figure. 

Comment with your reaction/opinion in the downbar. 

Confidently yours in body and mind,

RaiseYourGloss