500 Calorie Burner

 

 

Quick Workout Of The Day...That Burns 500 Calories!

 

 

Jump Rope: 5 minutes

Jumping Jacks: 5 minutes

Burns 100 calories

 

30 Crunches

10 Push- Ups

40 Jumping Jacks

20 Squats

Burns 100 calories

 

Jump Rope: 5 minutes

Jumping Jacks: 5 minutes

Burns 100 calories

 

60 Crunches

20 Push- Ups

80 Jumping Jacks

40 Squats

Burns 200 calories

 

Jump Rope: 5 minutes

Jumping Jacks: 5 minutes

Burns 100 calories

30 Crunches

10 Push- Ups

40 Jumping Jacks

20 Squats

Burns 100 calories

 

This is just a little something I came up with- it gets your heart beating with some cardio, works some major muscle groups and it's simple and easy! This workout is what you make it. The harder you push yourself the harder it is and the more calories you will burn. 

 

Highlighted in blue is the 500 calorie burning workout.  This will only burn 500 calories if you are moving at a vigorous speed with jumping rope and jumping jacks. I added another round of the circuit, highlighted in yellow,  if you are moving at a more moderate pace, to insure you are still burning those 500 calories. 

 

Personally, I use the first 10 minutes of jumping rope and jumping jacks as a warm up and then increase my intensity with the other two sets of jumping rope and jumping jacks. Also, I will use a weight while doing the squats to increase the intensity. This workout is great because it's versatile in how you can rotate the sets and it is easy to keep track of the calories burned by the intervals.

 

I get a lot of my "out of the gym" workout inspiration from BARE STRENGTH! Check out their site, they have great information on fitness and nutrition!

 

Fun tip: Get some new workout gear!! Especially if you are in a rut! Feeling good in what you are wearing is sometimes the perfect little motivator that's needed to get out and start moving! Plus, it's fun and there are some great prints out right now for workout clothes. (Pictured is one of my more conservative pairings:) )

 

 

Well, I hope you enjoy and have fun kicking your own ass butt!

 

xx,

Melody

 

 

 

 



Edit Your Wardrobe In 5 Simple Steps

What makes the cut?

Are you revamping your style, spring cleaning or in desperate need for space? Going through your wardrobe is not for the weak hearted. It can be overwhelming, so make sure you have wine to help focus on your end goal. I promise you can do this!

Let's start with some samples to have in your closet. You want to have at least one: Blazer, Blouse/Button Down, Dress, Pair of Jeans, Sweater, Printed Top, Skirt, and T-Shirt. 

Step 1: Categorizing:

• Sort your entire closet into 3 piles.
• Keep, Maybe, Sell/Donate/Bin
• Keep
• They are are staying
• Maybe
• It's still a toss up whether this guy is staying or going
• Sell/ Donate/ Bin
• Sell/Donate- someone else will where it more or may need it
• Bin- it's out of season and it needs to be stored

Step 2: Continue Categorizing: 

• The Keep's and the Maybe's: While keeping these categories separate, sort them by what they are. 
• Blazers
• Blouses/Button Downs
• Dresses
• Jeans
• Sweaters
• Printed Tops
• Skirts
• T-Shirts
• Trousers

Once your Maybe piles and your Keep piles are itemized, move to the 3rd step!

Step 3: Should I Stay or Should I Go? I would do this with the Maybe's then do this again with the Keep's.

• Blazers
• Stay: Best Blazer      
• Go: Tight or Faded/Worn
• Blouses
• Stay: Maintain a solid selection of office appropriate blouses
• Go: Ill Fitting or Stained
• Dresses
• Go: You know what to say bye when...you have tried it on three times in the past year and still have not worn it! It's time to go!
• Jeans
• Try every pair on, make a piles of the different styles
• Skinny
• Boyfriend
• Flare
• Etc.
• Stay: 1-3 pairs of each style
• Exception to the rule: Keep more of the style that fits your bod the best!
• Go: Everything else you don't wear, or "are going to wear one day" if you haven't worn it in the past year it's time to say bye! 
• Sweaters:
• Stay: Only 3 of a similar style
• Go: It Shrunk, the pilling is out of control, there are holes that are not worth fixing
• Printed Tops:
• Stay: Timeless Prints- Gingham, animal, stripes, & polka dots- favorites stay!
• Go:  Not worn in 6 months, or too trendy. 
• Skirts:
• Can you think of 3 occasions or 3 ways to wear it? 
• If so, STAY!
• If not, GO!
• T-Shirts:
• Stay: It still looks presentable and fits properly.
• Go:  Neck is stretched, stained, belonged to an ex, smells.
• Trousers:
• Stay: Tailored, still fits properly.
• Go: Tattered, stained, no longer fits properly. (Hint: If tailored properly, no tattering on the ends will occur.)

Okay, so you've done it!!! You have filtered through all your Keep's and Maybe's. 

Step 4: Go back to the Sell/Donate/Bin piles. 

• Sell what is still usable if you are not donating! 
• Save the money you made: for STAPLES that will unleash some interchangability in your fresh wardrobe. (Reminder: AVOID impulse buys or you will end up here again) or use that money to go celebrate, you just did some serious work and organization! 
• Bin: what is out of season
• Money earned from selling, could also be used to purchase bins, storage bags, or shelving.
• Spring and Summer stay together
• Autumn and Winter stay together
• Helpful tip: Label- so you know what is what and which is which.

Step 5: Organizing your Keep's!

• Get creative: 
• Itemize your wardrobe by style, color, wearability, however you like.
• What do you need to have your ideal closet:
• Create a wish list: Things to think about...
• Make purchases that you think about for at least two weeks-avoid impulse buys.
• What staples do you still need or need more of?
• What will add more interchangability in your wardrobe?
• Buy what is on your list, online shopping helps keep you focused. 
• Quality over quantity 

There you have it, you have completed a wardrobe edit! Feel free to use this process on accessories, shoes, and bags as well! Keep an eye out for my post in the near future that will focus on staples and pricing! Let me know if you have any questions or if there is something you want to know more about! 

xx,

Melody

Mercia- the girlie way to say Merica

Bodysuit: Forever21 // Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Rings, Earrings, Necklace: Silpada (Yes, I may have an addiction) // Bracelet: Similar or Similar //

Sandals: Similar // Cross Body: Old Navy

 

What's more American than wearing red, white & blue while attending a baseball game??? 

If you're still on the hunt for a 4th of July ensemble, I hope this casual little number gives you some inspiration! 

 

xx

 

Melody

 

 

 

The Perfect Bun

Alright guys here's my shot at my first video tutorial. (I don't think it ever stops being weird to listen to yourself on a video).

Have fun listening to my raspy little voice as I go through these steps! 

Hope this video helps and inspires a fabulous hair day for you!

If you have any questions or want to see more hair and beauty tips, let me know what you want to see!

xx

Melody

As Relaxing as a Day at the Beach

Get the look // Shirt: J. Crew/ Skirt: Target/ Bangles: Silpada & Alex & Ani/ Necklace: Francesca's/ Earrings: J.Crew

Looking for a laid back, stylish outfit? Ya know, the kind you wear at the beach or relaxing by the lake. This is it! I think this kind of pulls in the denim on denim trend without actually doing denim on denim, which I adore.  Maxi skirts are feminine yet so comfy which is perfect for a night on the deck overlooking the bay.  For me being in PA, unless I'm on vaca I am overlooking a lake or river which is the next best thing to me! The point is it's almost summer and if you want to be comfy and cute while relaxing, grab a denim button down and maxi skirt and head to the closest body of water and enjoy that sunshine in a look that will turn heads, yet have you feeling like you are in your PJs. I loved how this Francesca's necklace accented the pink trim in this J. Crew denim shirt and captured the blue in this skirt from Target.

xx,

Melody

Casual Spring Fling

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know about you guys but the weather has been up & down with it's temperatures lately, meaning everyday starts out with me using my weather channel app. This outfit I put together for a casual lunch date with my gals.  There are so many little details in this one, that I just love! I am really into the distressed denim trend that has thankfully made a come back, once again! These boyfriend boot cut 1921 jeans are seriously the softest pair of pants I own! Another great thing about these 1921 jeans is that they are forever long so the height of your heels is super flexible (tall people problems). I love the pattern on the these gorgeous heels from JustFab, and the color is so versatile. I thought this floral blouse from New York & Company (who is by the way having a sale today on rompers & dresses) was a great femine twist to this outfit. I love that this top can be dressed up or dressed down and the colors are amazing! I gave my outfit some sparkle by pairing a Forever21, arrow necklace, Stella & Dot, paved rhinestone cuff and my new obsession from ShinyMix, arrow earrings which by the way are in their under $30.00 selection...you're welcome!   Lastly, I pulled the maroon in my shirt out with this cross body from Michael Kors. 

 

Hopefully this weather stays warm now and I'll just be wearing distressed denim shorts! My allergies are killing hence the gap in my posts but I'm finally feeling better! I have a wedding coming up in two weeks so stay tuned for some must-haves in your bags and a peek at what I am wearing!

 

xx

Melody

Whimsical Neutrals with a Pop

 

 

 

 

 

 

So you may be a neutrals gal but you are seeing all these bright and colorful accessories for Spring & Summer that really have you thinking, you just might venture to the bright side of things. I can totally relate. While, I am adventurous with colors and mixing prints, I love a simple, classic piece. If you are shy about breaking out of your neutral pieces, this style is the perfect segue, to trying something new. Simply, add one pop of color at a time to your neutrals.  It doesn't have to be shoes, it could be a necklace, belt, clutch, head wrap, whatever but it is completely do-able and so worth it.  You'll be giving those neutrals a fresh look while embracing trends and spicing your wardrobe up. I am in love with these gladiator sandals.  Pairing them with these lace and whimsical neutrals, gave this outfit, the perfect trendy pop. I think they are a standout for a pop creation no matter what you wear them with -- or when.

 

Shop this Look:

Bralet: Free People

Top: Forever 21

Shorts: Urban Outfitters

Gladiator Sandals: Breckelle's

Necklace: Tory Burch-Similar ToryBurch

Bangles/Midis: Forever 21

Earrings: J.Crew

 

xx,

Melody