Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Meet Our Beauty Consultant

Introducing Danna

 Nashville Fit + Style's Official Beauty Consultant!  



Danna and Amanda have been best friends ever since they were paired up as potluck roommates at Baylor University their freshman year. Danna taught Amanda every makeup tip in the book and gave her a proper "Texas makeover", which was much needed! She is a wife, mother of three girls, Texan and self-admitted make-up addict. At the age of 16, she bought Kevyn Aucoin’s Making Faces book and has been obsessed with the beauty industry ever since. Professionally, she owned and operated retail paint stores in Dallas and became an expert in color-matching and custom-tinting. While there are no set boundaries when it comes to makeup, she believes there is a way to use color tones to bring out your natural features and allure. Danna applies the same basic color principles to lipstick, wall paint or clothes.

Danna's 3 Basic Cosmetic Principles:

1) True beauty always comes from within. This will always be what she stresses most with her three young daughters.
2) Use the right color tones to bring out natural features and allure.
3) There are no boundaries on what you can do. Don’t be nervous or timid, after all it’s just make-up. Have fun! Be bold, wear it with confidence, and if it doesn’t work, wash it off and try again tomorrow.

Check out her amazing quick summer makeup routine below and follow her on Instagram @mymakeupvice for more great tips!

10 minute Summer Makeup Routine




Summer is squelching hot, especially when you live in South Texas like I do. This is my 10 minute Summer Makeup Routine. You can take this day to night with a few tweaks here and there. Remember, in the summer, less is more. The more makeup you wear the more it has a tendency to move around. No one likes being able to see the marks your sunglasses leave on the bridge of your nose. 

Go with a light to medium coverage foundation. I have been wearing the YSL Touche Elcat le Teint because I like the radiant finish, and it contains SPF 22. Focus your application to the center of your face, as that is the main part people see when looking at you. Next spot conceal any blemishes and under eye circles. I’m in love with Tarte’s Shape Tape concealer; it is my Holy Grail of concealers. It is full coverage and doesn’t have to be set with a powder. Next I go in with a cream blush on the apples of my cheeks. I have a few in my arsenal, but I keep reaching for Glossier’s Cloud Paint in Puff. I love highlighter, so I dab a bit of Becca’s liquid highlighter in Pearl along the top of my cheek bones. This step isn’t a necessity, just something to give your face a little dimension. Lightly powder any areas that tend to get shinny. Then I finish off by filling in my brows with Anastasia of Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, curl my lashes and apply a thick coat of Benefit’s They’re Real Mascara. You can coat your lips with a sheer gloss or a thin layer of your favorite lipstick. My go to in the summer is Chelsea Girls by Nars

For night time, I will smear a little Revlon ColorStay Crème Eye Shadow in Carmel on my eyelids for a little sparkle. Add a little eyeliner, or just stick with mascara. Intensify the look by adding a bold lip. 


Saturday, July 22, 2017

Mad Love for Carbon38


We are so excited to be ambassadors for one of our most favorite luxury activewear lines. Carbon38 has the most stylish, unique and comfortable clothes. Whether you are looking for a great and sturdy sports bra, swimwear, or a comfy sweater dress, you can find it all! They have their own line of athleisure pieces, as well as some other lines we love (Alo Yoga, B 3.0 Active, Split 59, Vitamin A...on and on). Whether you are doing high intensity workouts or yoga, Carbon38 has you covered!

And we can get you 20% off your purchase of $100, or more! Use code CRYSTALJAR50.

 

Getting excited to work out is definitely easier when you have a cute outfit that helps you feel your best when you are working hard. I love high waisted leggings and crop tops for high intensity workouts and yoga. I am not totally comfortable with working out in just a sports bras after two babies, back to back. But, I love this top because even on my long torso, it gives good coverage. You can pair it with some high waisted pants and you show just enough to that makes you feel comfortable.

 


Here are some of our faves from Carbon38 Check it out!


1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6

 

Treat yo'self to some cute, high performance workout wear! 

  

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

1.  Grey Suede Slide  2.  Top Handle Leather Satchel  3.  Pleated Faux Leather Skirt  4.  Shaggy Coat  5.  Jumpsuit  6.  Cropped Cargo Jacket  7.  Bow Shirt  8.  Velvet Off the Shoulder Top  9.  Birdie 60mm Sunnies

It's here, it's here!  The sale to end all other sales, and you've probably been under a rock if you hadn't heard about the epic Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  Early Access is currently going on till July 20th for Nordstrom card holders. So hurry up, and grab these deals before everything sells out!

I use this sale to stock up on basics that will last for several seasons, as well as some wallet friendly trendier items (don't waste big bucks on trendy stuff).  It's also a great time to get gifts for family and friends for birthdays and holidays.  Wouldn't it be nice to get a jump start on the Holiday season?!  

BP. Tie Front Blouse

How adorable is this top?!  This is a great purchase to rock with shorts or a white denim skirt now, then transition to fall with jeans and booties.  I linked some of my other fave clothing items from the sale.


Via Spiga Gaze Block Heel 
Y'all know by now that I'm obsessed with red shoes (see Fourth of July post).  I'm crushing hard on these cherry red open toe booties - they literally make your outfit.  I linked other dreamy shoe and accessory pics below.  

I've always loved the Zella line, which is exclusive to Nordstrom. So, no surprise that they have some amazing fitness apparel deals.  Zella is also fitness approved by Crystal. Their clothing holds up while getting your sweat on at the gym.  I love the cut out detail on these cropped leggings.  Check out my other fitness picks and happy Nordy shopping lovelies!
XOXO,
Amanda


Thursday, July 13, 2017

Crushing on Gingham


What is more summer than a fresh gingham print?!  Black and white gingham is such a classic summer staple, and I love the modern twist the dress offers with the ruffled sleeves.  The best news is that the dress is on sale currently for only $28.50!  So, hurry up and snatch this one up before it sells out!  I found this little cutie on one of my fave online shopping sites, ASOS.  They offer great price points with amazing on trend pieces.




Dress + Sunnies + Bag

I paired the dress with black round sunnies and strappy blush sandals. Nude or blush shoes elongate your legs (need all the help I can get) and break up the matchy, matchy look of wearing a basic black shoe. I also added my new favorite mini bag. I saw this adorable bag when I was on a NYC trip and couldn't resist the shape and added bow. I've long adored Mansur Gavriel's famous bucket bags and was thrilled to see this new design to his collection.

I linked some other adorable gingham options (can I have them all?) Many of these are wallet friendly so treat yoself!





Thanks to our amazing photographer Jordyn Smalling for making this shoot so fun!  If you live in Nashville you need to check her out!

XOXO,
Amanda

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Get Fit with CorePower Yoga Sculpt


Tank + Leggings + Sunnies + Yoga Mat


I love group fitness classes! I have worked out at most studios in Nashville, and it's my favorite way to exercise.  I may have a minor obsession.  Classes help you stay accountable and I love mixing it up to confuse my muscles. CorePower Yoga opened in May in Brentwood in the new Hill Center, and I've been counting down the days to try out their incredible classes! The studio is beautiful, and their showers are super nice. The yoga classes are taught by fun, upbeat instructors with a great knowledge base.



Yoga Sculpt is one of my all time favorite classes! It’s a combination of stretching, yoga, cardio, weight training, and abs!  The room is mildly heated, so you get a major sweat on. Plus, the class is choreographed to a pretty dope playlist (Justin, Lil Jon, R. Kelly).  You begin with a power vinyasa flow series to get your body warmed up.  Then you move into using your weights with your yoga practice.  Weights are always optional. There is squat series that is usually pretty challenging, but set to some great tunes, so it makes it fun. Then you have a 3-4 minute cardio boost to really get your heart rate going.  You then move into some arms, back, and triceps weight sections.  The final bit is your abs.  You leave feeling sweaty, stretched, strong, and amazing!



I love combining yoga/stretching and weight exercises.  This helps keep your muscles long and lean and won’t give you the “bulky” look.  I also love sweating it out to get out all the toxins and keeping your heart rate up to burn more calories. I adore their Core Power classes as well, and will be writing about those soon.  Check out Yoga Sculpt classes at 7:00 am, 5:15 pm, and 6:30 pm Monday through FridaySaturday and Sunday Yoga Sculpt classes are at 10:00 am and 11:30 am.

Shop the Look




They are currently running specials to try your first week for free, so go check it out!



CorePower Yoga
211 Franklin Rd Suite 135, Brentwood, TN 37027
Open 6:00 am - 10:00pm



Thursday, July 6, 2017

One-Piece Swimsuits for the Win

White One-Piece + Kimono + Jean Shorts + Hat + Sunnies + Bag + Flip Flops

We are in the middle of dreaded swimsuit season (why does it sneak up on me every year)!  Unlike Crystal, who never has endured the struggle of the "mom" bod dilemma, I battle it every summer.  After the birth of my second son, my stomach never recovered (I will spare you the unpleasant detailed description).  I vowed to pack my bikinis away.  I kept some for sheer hope that one day I can wear them again and feel comfortable. Until then, it's one-pieces all day, err day.  The upside is  now one pieces are incredibly stylish and very on trend.  Dare I say that one-pieces can be way sexier than bikinis at times! 

My hubby and I got to take a much needed adults only trip to Mexico a couple of weeks ago.  I rounded up some of my fave one pieces that I wore.  Please excuse the iPhone photography - we were on vacay mode and didn't want to break out the big camera!

This BECCA swimsuit has been very popular and with good reason due to the way it is cut on the body.  I linked the swimsuit and some other white options.  Don't be afraid of a white suit. I had always veered away from white, but was pleasantly surprised. Don't forget to get your faux glow on, which helps boosts your confidence when rocking a white suit!




Halter One-Piece + Hat + Sunnies + Earrings

How cute is my hubby?!  We were grateful to have time away from the kiddos to relax and reconnect (thank you grandparents!).  This has been one of my fave suits that I purchased from Asos two summers ago.  This crossover halter neckline is very figure flattering, especially for smaller chested ladies like myself.  I linked some adorable suits with this same neckline.



Off the shoulder One-Piece + Sunnies + Earrings + Bar Necklace

My last fave one-piece trend is the off the shoulder look.  This look has been everywhere this season. Baring your shoulders is an easy way to update your look!  This is extremely figure flattering and draws the eye to your shoulders, rather than problem areas.  I linked this Topshop suit and others, so bare those shoulders ladies!


As always, confidence is your best look! So, rock whatever suit you feel comfortable in!  A smile is the sexiest thing you can wear.  Happy Summering!