5 things: movement

Since I've been the Pilates studio about five days a week, playing volleyball one day a week and soccer one day a week, I've been spending a lot of time moving and a lot of time in my workout gear. I don't know about you but I want it to be comfortable, stylish, and practical! These are the things that I need every day.

1] a good bra:  One that is comfortable and supportive is super important for any movement that you do. This one from Target (more colors available) adds the bonus of brightening up your normal day-to-day gear. 

2] a water bottle is crucial: Mine needs to be easy to clean, drink to use, and chemical free. This one from CamelBak has a straw which makes drinking large amounts of water (at least 72 ounces a day) much easier. 

3] easy moving leggings: Lululemon is unbeatable if you ask me when it comes to leggings. I have a pair from 4 years ago that are still in great shape. They really are worth every penny. This will pant is my new favorite and I am totally lusting over them. 

4] all day shoes: Nike Frees are the best in the business when you use your tennies for everything. They are comfortable and great for your feet. The colors they come in are super fun as well. 

5] a hold all bag: A bag like this one from Lululemon that has many compartments makes it easy to cart around everything that you need. Water, your iPod, a separate bag for sweaty gears, a padded compartment if your iPad or the likes comes along with you, and much, much more. 

Now get out there and run about! 

5 things: travel

1] a good scarf for warmth and to cover your face if/when you sleep
[covering your face will help to you get less dehydrated because it will recycle the moisture of your breath]
(this adorable polka dot scarf from J. Crew is light weight making it perfect to travel with)

2] a couple good magazines for in-flight entertainment
[I like to have a fashion magazine as well as one that I can be inspired by, like Real Simple or Elle Decor]

3] an eye mask is crucial to tune out anything you want (or need) to
(this mask by Liberty London has lavender in it to help relax you even more!)

4] headphones are the perfect travel companion to listen to music or watch in flight entertainment
(these bright happy ones are by Urban Ears)

5] socks to help keep your feet warm and to help keep them from becoming swollen
(striped high socks from ASOS)

5 things: hair

I've had a few people ask me lately what I use in my hair. That is probably only because my hair is the longest it's ever been right now (and needs a haircut). So, since you've asked...here is a 5 things about my favorite hair goodies. 

1] square silk scarves: Holds it all back when you need it to. So many ways to wear it! (Watch the video how-to here.) This one is Juicy Couture and I love this ban.do one and you can also find them at your local swap meets and vintage stores. My favorite one is a vintage Chanel scarf (seen here). 

2] elegant antistatic paddle brush: Good for straight and/or static prone hair.

3] goody spin pins: Makes putting hair up in buns amazingly fast and easy and holds all my hair up really well. I also love that they come in blonde or brunette. Seriously, these things are awesome!

4] shisedo tsubaki line: Changed my life forever! Smells amazing and feels even better. This mask is a life saver. 

5] l'oreal elnett hairspray: Great hold with a little shine. 

5 things: nails

[layout and choices for by way of ney]

1} Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve: this stuff is deliciously amazing and doesn't leave your hands feeling greasy at all. Can't say enough about it!

2] A basic pink nude: I love OPI's Bubble Bath & Essie's Mademoiselle or Adore-A-Ball. 

3] Essie's Chinchilly grey polish: I can't wear this without someone commenting on how much they love it. Even guys!

4] OPI's Give Me Moor: a great dark color. I love it for my toes and especially for this time of year. 

5] Deboran Lippman polish: never disappoints! Her glitter polishes are amazing! My sister loves her multicolored Happy Birthday polish. I love this gold Boom Boom Pow polish. So fun to put over any other color or by itself. 

5 things: makeup

[layout and choices for by way of ney]

I am not a big makeup girl. That said, I also have days where I think, "I'm really glad I'm not a guy because today I really need a little makeup to freshen myself up. On those days when I really need and extra boost to get me out the door, these lovelies are my little lifesavers. 

1] Tarte cheek stain in Blushing Bride 

2] Maybelline Define-a-Brow in Light Blonde 

(because my hair is naturally very light and I have fair skin, my eyebrows are practically see through...this helps!)

3] Bobbi Brown eye shadow in Slate is the perfect mix of a warm grey 

4] bareMinerals Faux Tan bronzer is perfect for an all over glow on your face when you haven't been in the sun 

(or when you've been good and have been wearing sunscreen)

5] Bobbi Brown lip gloss which I have in three colors 

(aubergine, petal, & buff) that I choose from depending on the day

What are your favorite makeup finds?

Also, if you missed the other 5 things, by way of ney, posts you can find more of my favorites, like this one, by clicking on "5 things" under the features. Or by clicking this link.  

5 things: beauty

[layout and choices for by way of ney]

These days that seem to fly by with not enough hours have helped me to realize what things I rely on in my daily "beauty" regime to make me feel good.  It doesn't take a lot these days, or I don't have time for a lot, but these 5 things help make me feel good, refreshed, full of life and still "put together" despite the lack of time spent on myself.

1] clarisonic: Totally renewed the texture and feel of my skin. It takes off my daily makeup and exfoliates at the same time.

2] dermalogica antioxidant hydramist: I can't say enough about it's abilities to keep me feeling dewy & hydrated. I love taking the mini bottle along with me on flights, no matter how short or long. 

3] essie nail polish: I really haven't seen a color I don't like. Stays on long and has a brush shape that even makes it easy to do on my own. Plus, just having my nails painted makes me feel much better over all. Totally a trick to make my mind think I've been spending more time on myself than I have. 

4] tweezerman tweezers: I use these for everything from stray eyebrows to removing flakes of skin.

5] sugaring: Sugaring? you ask. Yes, sugaring from Lisa at SugarMe. Converted me from a waxer & shaver to a sugaraholic. It's all natural (edible actually because it's only sugar, water, lemon juice), hurts less, makes your skin feel great and is ingrown proof. Need I say more?!

If you feel like me these days and need an extra bit of pep in your steps, these 5 things are the way to go. 

5 things: magazines

Moving always makes to go through the things you have and assess whether or not to keep them and what their value is to you. I LOVE a good magazine! I carted a huge canvas bag of my favorites to the new house with me. I usually have a stack of magazines to read and if I have enough time to get a full range of them these are my usual picks:

1] Vanity Fair: Probably my favorite glossy magazine. Great photos! Great articles! Great interviews! Hollywood, Style, Culture, Society, Politics, Business; what more could you want? The writing in this one is top notch. 

2] Real Simple: Every month this comes I can't wait to read it cover-to-cover and tear out all of the things that inspire me. They have great advice for everything and make it easy. From organizing and cleaning, to recipes that are fresh, healthy, and easy, to beauty reviews, and advice; they have it all. The articles are solid with great writing             and research to back it all up. Overall, it's really INSPIRING. 

3] Conde Nast Traveler: The images and articles in this one will make you get up and book your next trip. Being someone who likes to travel I like to use this one for research and for inspiration. I also love when there is a feature of somewhere I've been and I can compare my thoughts to their thoughts. 

*side note: the photo is of the UK version, hence the different spelling. 

4] House Beautiful: I was recently told that this is a old person's magazine. I'm not sure what makes it one but I LOVE it! I love flipping through and folding pages over to show my man and dreaming about a one day house.

5) LonNY: An unreal experience of a magazine! It is an online design and lifestyle (I made that up, and I think they'd agree) magazine. The first time I read it I couldn't believe how fun it was to "flip" through it and be able to click on the things I loved and find them online. How GENIUS?!? 

5 things: sun

[layout and choices for by way of ney]

With Labor Day around the corner I thought I'd share some of my must haves for long days in the sun and sand. My weekend will be filled with sunshine, heat and girlfriends. I'll be in Las Vegas, for a bachelorette of a dear friend. What are your plans for the long weekend?

MUST HAVES:

1] sun bum zinc oxide: I have looked for years and years for a clear formula zinc oxide to use on my face, hands, lips, and scars to prevent any sun damage. I finally found this one on my early summer trip to Miami and have loved it all summer. It smells like you want sunscreen to smell, clean and tropical.

2] a BIG summer tote that I can throw everything in: water, magazines, sunscreen, my camera snacks, hats, towels...

3] shisedo ultimate skin protection cream: This one does it's job! A major sun block out that I use on areas prone to burn (my face and shoulders). While it protects all day it also doesn't make my sensitive skin breakout. I am proud to say that for the first time in a long time I didn't get one burn on my face this summer.

4] a BIG beach towel. The bigger the better with this one. It's no fun to spend your day trying to stay on your towel. A blanket size is best!

5] hats! hats! hats!: a big hat does wonders to keep my face safe from the sun. I love this panama hat that my dad brought home for me. You can find one here.

*I also like to bring along a light weight pashmina or scarf to drape over my shoulders after enough sun or over my face while I take a mid afternoon, summer nap in the sun.