It is winter, and it is also flu season, unfortunately, so we had a few requests to do a post on easing back into workouts whether you’ve been sick, or just have had a lot of time off! I (Alexis) have personally had to take a lot of time off because of an infection (more in this post). It can be so exhausting to think about working out again, especially if you’re super low on energy, or just haven’t hit the gym in a while. Before we get into our tips, we want to share a little bit about our fave part of this outfit: THIS WHITE VEST! It is so soft and warm. We love the white, but it does come in a few other colors. We are wearing xs for reference!These leggings are literally like butter. They are so soft and you’ll literally want to live in them! We are wearing xs for reference, and want to order like 10 more pairs because they are that good! You can wear them for workouts or just running around!This tee is not super warm, but we love that it is looser and more lightweight. It has really cute cutouts in front, too!These shoes are so lightweight! They are great for training workouts and just running around, and we just love the colors! And, now for our tips on easing back into a workout. Trust us, we know how hard it can be!
Don’t overdo it right away: even if it is just 10 minutes, it is better than nothing. Your body has been through a lot (whether it is being sick or just out for a while), you don’t want to go too crazy!
You don’t have to workout every day: make it a goal to workout at least twice a week, and then work your way up!
Take it slowly and focus on form: it is not a race, so go slowly, and really focus on your form and feeling good, so you don’t get injured!
It is okay to take rest days: we are really bad at this, but getting better! It can be hard to not to go the gym, especially if you’re a creature of habit, but your body needs days off. We are trying to take at least two days off!
Walk on the treadmill or walk outside: this is what I have been doing. Just a steady, easy pace (like 3-3.5 mph) with little or no incline, just to get moving!
Dont skimp on sleep: we know you have heard this before, but sleep is KEY. We were getting up really early and heading straight to the gym, but we are trying to focus on starting off slower and letting our body get up slowly, and sometimes starting with yoga in the mornings.
Happy Friday, y’all! We are excited to share some of our most common questions answered today on the blog! If you all have any other questions you want answered, email us at [email protected]
What is your opinion on laser hair removal? Does it hurt and has it helped, and what areas have you gotten it done?
Before we get into anything about laser hair removal, we want to say that we HIGHLY recommend it. We have been getting ours done at Enlighten MD for almost a year now, and couldn’t be happier with the results. We will have a full blog post on it once we finish all of our treatments. We have gotten treatment on our underarms and bikini. We have seen a dramatic improvement on our underarms and bikini. We used to have a shadow on our underarms by the end of the day after shaving, but now it is so soft (like a baby), and the hair doesn’t really grow back– super fine! The bikini is the same. We have both seen a huge difference! As far as pain, it does hurt, but they give you numbing cream to apply before to help with that a little. The underarms we don’t numb for, but the bikini, we definitely do! The good part is that it only hurts for a second while the laser goes off (almost like a rubber band snap).
What do you like to do to unwind from a hard day?
That is a great question! We are honestly TERRIBLE at slowing down, and that is one of our goals for the new year. To be honest, we will probably be writing a blog post on this specifically because we have both been suffering from Adrenal Fatigue and a ton of constant stress, so we are working on that. We have both started to slow down on our instagram posts each day, just to help alleviate the stress. We are extremely type-A, so it is challenging for us, but our health is more important than anything else. We have been trying to incorporate more yoga (even at home), meditating, going on walks, trying to be present (aka be off the phone and actually relax on the couch or watch a movie). We don’t really take baths, but that can be relaxing! We also loveeee going to reflexology. Look it up if you haven’t been before!
What is your opinion on Lululemon?
We love Lululemon! They have some great pieces. We love their speed shorts and their long-sleeved tops. As far as leggings, we have some of them, but think there are other brands that are just as good! Their mens stuff is really great, too!
What is the best way to get exposure when you’re a new blogger? Sometimes it feels like I am posting for no one but my mom, haha!
That is a great question, and honestly, we feel the same way most of the time, if it makes you feel any better. Instagram has completely changed their algorithm, and people don’t see your posts anymore, unless you’re continuously ‘liking’ and commenting on all of our pictures. We would suggest interacting with other bloggers like commenting on their pictures to get exposure, and just to post consistently. It can be discouraging, but keep going!
How do you make your photo collages for the gift guides?
I use Adobe Photoshop!
What do you usually get done on your nails and where do you go?
We usually get nexgen dip in this color. We go to Castle Nail Spa in Mockingbird station. For those of y’all who don’t know what dip is, or what the difference between that and gel, you can read more in this post.
Who does your hair in Dallas?
We got to Hair By Viviana. We have been going to her since we moved to Dallas 4.5 years ago, and wouldn’t go anywhere else. She is amazing!
What do you all usually eat to stay fit?
We usually will eat something with carbs, protein, and healthy fats. We will usually eat eggs with toast, a smoothie bowl, oatmeal, or something like that for breakfast. For lunch, we will usually have a salad with chicken or salmon, and for dinner, usually some kind of lean protein with vegetables and a healthy carb like sweet potatoes, squash, rice, etc. You can read more about what we eat in a day in this post. We also have snacks throughout the day like hummus and veggies, or a quest bar.
Where can I find your recipe for your smoothie bowls?
You can find the recipe for the smoothie bowl and what we use at the bottom of this post.
I saw that you all got microblading done on your eyebrows. Do you recommend it, and how long does it last?
Yes, we did! We got it done over a year ago at Enlighten MD (more about it in this post). We HIGHLY recommend it. Even a year later, we still only have to fill in our eyebrows a little bit. It lasts about a year, or longer, depending on how active you are, etc. It makes all the difference!
I noticed you all have Apple watches. I was thinking about getting one, but I don’t know which model to buy. What are your thoughts on it?
I am visting Dallas in a couple of weeks. What are some of your favorite restaurants?
Some of our favorite restaurants are: Mudhen Meats in the farmer’s market, Henry’s Majestic, HG Sply Co, Mr. Mesero, Kozy Kitchen, Americano, and Ziziki’s. You can also read some of our other favorite spots in this post.
I am petite like you all. What are some of your favorite jeans?
How do you hear about new restaurants you post on your insta-stories?
We love to use yelp! It is a game changer!
How do you start your day off?
We both usually jump right into work, but are trying to be better about it and get up slowly, eat breakfast before answering any emails, etc. We have been trying to do more yoga in the mornings, but it is still a work in progress. We love to drink hot water with lemon or green tea!
What workout tennis shoes do you like best?
We love this pair for running around, this pair is SO comfy (highly recommend), and this pair is also really comfy.
Does Nordstrom sponsor you and your sister?
Nordstrom does not sponsor us, unless it is noted at the bottom of the blog post. We always disclose when we are patterning with a brand.
How did you first get started as a blogger? Any tips for an aspiring fashion/style blogger?
That is a great question. We actually started in public accounting and just started sharing our outfits, and it kind of took off from there. You can read more about it in this post and this post. We also shared some tips in those posts!
I have never shopped at Shein before? Is it a safe site?
It is a safe site. They have a great mix of trendy pieces, but it is kind of hit or miss. We only share the pieces we like, so we can’t speak for everything on the site. You can use ADOUBLE20 for 20% off.
What are your guys’ resolutions for this year? Any new things you guys are trying out? Any places on your travel bucket list you’re going to?
We haven’t set any major resolutions other than to really slow down this year. We are always “go-go-go” and our health has been really affected by that. We are trying to take more breaks and take more time off of work, so we are not so burnt out. We have been trying to incorporate more yoga, too. We are dying to go to Spain!
What is your go-to-cheat meal? Have you tried veganism?
Our go-to cheat meal is probably ice cream or pizza. We have not tried veganism before. We eat animal products. We have eaten paleo for a little bit.
How did you become insta famous, and actually fund the lifestyle you live? Love you btw!
That is very sweet. We don’t consider ourselves “famous”, but we truly do love what we do. Similar to the question previously, we talked about how we got into blogging and this career in this post. We actually do this full-time and this is how we support ourselves.
What happened to your podcast? Noticed you guys haven’t done an episode in a while. Loved them!
We had to take a break (that wasn’t supposed to be so long) due to schedules, the app we used not working anymore, and just timing. We are definitely planning on having it up again soon– just trying to find the time to start up again!
What is your hair/makeup routine/ what are your fave products?
How do you keep your hair so long and healthy? Any tips?
We only wash our hair about once or twice a week. We take a bunch of vitamins (more in this post) and eat a bunch of fruits and veggie. Oh, and we drink a lot of water!
We had been wanting to share this post with you all for a while now! This dress is one you all have probably seen countless times on the blog and instagram feeds. We have worn this dress and styled it so many ways, so we wanted to share all the possibilities of how you can wear it year-round! It comes in a sleeveless version and a long-sleeved version, which are both great options!
See how we styled it in the below pictures!
#1: With some slip ons and a crossbody bag
#2: With a cozy cardigan and some peep-toe booties
#3: With a suede moto jacket and plaid scarf
#4: With some red heels and a black bag
#5: With a floppy hate and booties
#6: With a fringe scarf and grey boots
#7: With a herringbone vest and booties
#8: With a plaid scarf and black slip on sneakers#9: With a plaid scarf and OTK boots
Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend, and are having a great start to the new year! We are trying to get organized and get back into the swing of things (more in this blog post, in case you missed it). Today, we are excited to be back with one of our fitness posts to kick of 2018! We are going to be sharing some of our top tips for getting back on track after the holidays, or just hitting that “reset” button to start the year. Before we get into that, we wanted to share a little bit about this super cute workout outfit. These leggings are a great basic black pair and you can wear them for working out, or running errands! We paired it with this coral pullover (has a hood AND thumbholes, yes please!), so it is great for running or outdoor workouts! We layered this black vest over it, which is super warm and versatile! We also have it in the jacket version, which is also a great buy! You all have probably seen us wear these slip ons countless times. SO comfy and great for running around or casual outfits! And, now for our tips:
First of all, do NOT be discouraged. The hardest part is starting and sticking with it, but remember, the more you stick with it and do it, the easier it becomes, and it is worth it.
Stick to healthy carbs (sweet potatoes, squashes, rice, whole grains), vegetables (salads, sautéed, or baked), lean proteins (chicken, steak, fish, eggs, tofu, yogurt), fruits, and nuts/seeds.
We think it can be helpful to track your food, at least for a little bit, so you understand and can visualize portion sizes. We recommend buying a food scale or using an app like myfitnesspal. It sounds silly, but portions make all of the difference.
Prepare your meals on Sundays, or have a game plan of what you’re going to eat for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner, that way you won’t get hangry, and go overboard! (we have all been there!)
Try to get in some sort of physical activity 3-5 times a week. It can be walking, biking, running, lifting weights, yoga, etc. Whatever you enjoy and gets you moving!
It’s January, so that means it is the perfect time to get back on track after the holidays! We know it just seems like it is just the hype of getting “fit” in the new year, but we get asked a lot what our go-to healthy products are, and what we eat and use to keep us feeling our best on a daily basis! We also wanted to share some of our tips to sticking to healthier new year resolutions (because we know we all start somewhere, and it can be challenging!)
We know that trying new things to get healthier and staying on track can be difficult, especially in the beginning. Here are our tips on staying sticking to New Years resolutions:
Set Realistic Goals: it can be easy to want to accomplish everything under the sun when it comes to getting healthier, but be realistic on what you can actually accomplish, and once you get through those, start with more!
Be Honest With Yourself: similar to #1, be super honest about what is attainable to you. If you are going to quit drinking soda or sugar for one month, and then end up getting overwhelmed and go crazy shortly after that, it is probably best to start slower, or pick a different goal to start with.
Start With One Big Goal a Month (i.e: no soda, sugar, etc): Believe it or not, we both used to drink 10-12 diet cokes a day in college. Alexis decided to stop drinking them one day, and replaced them with iced tea, and eventually lemon water. Samantha, on the other hand, took a little longer to decide to get on that train. If you set an attainable goal, it will be much easier to accomplish.
Measure Your Progress: A great way to measure progress is by taking pictures. It could be of yourself, of your food, etc. It is great to look back on and track how much you have changed.
Celebrate Your Successes: A great way to celebrate your successes are to treat yourself to a blowout, mani/pedi, or a fun meal out!
We love that Walmart has so many healthy products that help to support healthier lifestyles, like ours. They are the largest organic grocer in the country, which is crazy! We never knew that. Walmart makes it so much easier to find everything you need from workout wear, supplements, workout equipment, and fitness accessories to keep you on track! All of the things they carry, we have found to keep us excited and motivated, and we are sure you will, too!
Shop more of our favorite workout/fitness must haves below:
Happy Friday! We apologize for the lack of posts this week. Alexis (I) had a pretty rough start to the new year. Unfortunately, on Sunday night (NYE), I went to the ER because I was in a lot of abdominal pain, and after a lot of tests, was admitted to the hospital until Wednesday for a severe infection near my ovary. I had to get IV antibiotics and pain meds to get rid of the infection, so that was fun. I honestly thought that when I went to the ER, I would be leaving that night, but that was definitely not the case, haha. I was stubborn and waited several weeks to go get checked out because I thought I was “fine”, so don’t be that person! Anyways, just wanted to fill y’all in who didn’t know already.
In lighter news, today, we are sharing our top purchases from 2017 (that are still great buys for 2018!)
Pajama Set– we usually sleep in big college t-shirts and shorts, but having a good pajama set that is acceptable to answer the door in or have company over with is a must sometimes. We love this set and this set.
OTK Boots- Even if you’re petite like us (5’1″), you can still pull of OTK boots. We love this pair and this pair.
Neutral Cardigan- This cardigan was one of our most versatile purchases. You can wear it with everything from colors, to whites, to blacks and browns. Goes with everything!
Black Slip On Sneaker- Y’all have probably seen us wear these shoes ALL of the time. It is because we truly love them so much! They are so comfortable and you can wear them with leggings, jeans, dresses, and shorts.
V-Neck Sweater- A v-neck sweater is a good layering piece and it is flattering on any body. We love this one in the grey!
Ruched Body Con Dress- This dress we have in the tank version and long-sleeved version. It is super flattering and can be worn into spring with flats or sandals, too!
Plaid Shirt- Can’t beat a plaid shirt. Just adds something fun to any outfit. This one is our favorite!
Suede Moto Jacket- If you spend money on any jacket this season, this one or a regular moto jacket should be it! You can wear them with everything, and even into spring.
Ripped Ankle Jeans- A good pair of ankle jeans is a must! We are super petite, so we love this pair because it comes in petite.
Leather Moto Jacket- Similar to the suede moto jacket, we love this one and it is under $100! Such a good piece!
Moto Leggings- If you’re not in the mood to wear regular leggings or jeans, these are a good option because they look like you’re wearing pants, and add something fun to any outfit! We love this pair.
Adidas Swift Run Sneaker- By far, the comfiest sneakers we have put on! Highly recommend!
Faux Leather Leggings- Not lying, we wear these at least 2-3X a week. They can be dressed up or down and just add an edgy vibe to any outfit. We love this pair and this pair.
Basic Bootie- A basic bootie is something every person needs. We suggest a neutral pair that can be worn with jeans and dresses into spring.
Cozy Vest- We love a vest to layer up with. It could be a fuzzy one like this one, or a quilted one like this one.
Joggers- We are so glad joggers are on trend! SO comfy, so we are all about that! This pair is a great one, and we also love this one!
It is winter, and it is also flu season, unfortunately, so we had a few requests to do a post on easing back into workouts whether you’ve been sick, or just have had a lot of time off! I (Alexis) have personally had to take a lot of time off because of an infection (more in this post). It can be so exhausting to think about working out again, especially if you’re super low on energy, or just haven’t hit the gym in a while. Before we get into our tips, we want to share a little bit about our fave part of this outfit: THIS WHITE VEST! It is so soft and warm. We love the white, but it does come in a few other colors. We are wearing xs for reference!
These leggings are literally like butter. They are so soft and you’ll literally want to live in them! We are wearing xs for reference, and want to order like 10 more pairs because they are that good! You can wear them for workouts or just running around!
This tee is not super warm, but we love that it is looser and more lightweight. It has really cute cutouts in front, too!
These shoes are so lightweight! They are great for training workouts and just running around, and we just love the colors!
And, now for our tips on easing back into a workout. Trust us, we know how hard it can be!
We love shopping at Nordstrom for all of our fitness/athleisure gear. They have super cute pieces that can be mixed and matched with your other pieces at home! They offer free shipping and returns, and you can even pick up your online orders the same day with in-store pickup, which we use ALL of the time!
{ White Vest | Long Sleeve Tee | Grey Leggings | Flyknit Sneakers | Sunglasses | Nail Color | Lip Color |BRACELETS: David Yurman Cable Bracelets here, here, and here and Cartier Love Bracelet | RINGS: David Yurman Ring here and here | WATCH: Michele Deco Watch }
#9: With a plaid scarf and OTK boots
Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend, and are having a great start to the new year! We are trying to get organized and get back into the swing of things (more in
We paired it with 
You all have probably seen us wear 
And, now for our tips:
