Habits That May be Aging You

Has this been happening to anyone else lately? You’re scrolling through Facebook and suddenly one of those “Facebook Memories” from three or four years ago pops up….and your first thought: “Wow, I look SO young.” You’re wondering what happened. It’s only been a few years, but when you look in the mirror you feel like you’ve aged more like ten? You look tired, you feel tired and that glow you seemed to have in that memory photo is nowhere to be found. What were you doing differently back then? How did age creep up so fast? Believe it or not, you probably don’t look that different. But your self-critical habits can’t help but sneak up on you – and if you think about it, maybe you have been a little stressed, spending less time with friends and feeling generally overworked. If any of those things feel like issues you’ve been dealing with, you just may be creating a few bad habits that may be aging you. Let’s take a closer look and see.

1 – You’re working around the clock. This happens to so many of us at one point or another in our careers. You feel like you can’t get it all done and just when you think you’re catching up, more projects appears. It becomes a vicious cycle. And, when you’re trying to get ahead, advance your career and make moves – it’s very tough to walk away. But, here’s the thing. No one performs their best when they are stretch beyond capacity…no one. And, what you really need is to deliver your best for the duration of the working day – not around the clock and into the wee hours of the night. So stick to a schedule. Get done what you can during your set hours and at the end of that day, pack up and go relax. You’ll be more rejuvenated and on point in the morning. You’ll also give your body that much needed time to unwind and keep you looking (and feeling) young and fresh.

2 – You aren’t getting enough sleep. This is one of the worst things you can do for your poor body. Sleep is the thing that keeps us going – all living beings need sleep to let their whole body take a break and recharge in order to operate at peak performance. No matter if you’re working too much, partying too much or your kiddos are keeping you up all night, you have to find a way to get on a regular sleep schedule. Not only will that keep you looking and feeling younger, but you’ll stay nice and healthy too. Pretty much a win win.

3 – You aren’t drinking enough water. Guilty as charged on this one! (It’s so hard sometimes) You have to make hydration a priority in your life – it’s essential for keeping your body functioning at top performing levels and keeping your skin and complexion looking renewed, young and glow-y. Try investing in a fun water bottle you really like or use an app to track your water consumption each day if you have trouble remembering. You’ll have more energy, you’ll look amazing and your body will thank you for it.

4 – You aren’t getting enough exercise. This is a tough one when you’re super busy and trying to juggle and balance it all. You want to exercise, but sometimes finding that motivation is a real challenge – you just have to get out there. Once you make exercise a regular habit in your life, you’ll find yourself craving that awesome high that comes from working your body and working up a sweat. Next time you want to exercise, don’t just think about it – make a move.

What do you think? Can you break these bad habits by exchanging them for good ones and get your youthful glow back?

Keep doing

Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

ValentinesDay - Single ? Who cares !!

So there’s two ways things can go if you’re single on Valentine’s Day. You can wallow in self-pity eating a carton of ice cream and crying your eyes out while watching early 90’s “rom-coms” or you can pick yourself up and enjoy every moment of this special holiday – and make it all about you. No matter what, there’s loads of ways to pamper yourself – and what better day of the year than the one that offers any excuse to luxuriate in the finer things? Of course this day is all about you! Especially if you’re embracing the single life and loving all it has to offer.  You ready to celebrate? Here are a few ideas for how you can enjoy every moment.

 

Bubble bath. When do you have time to take a mid-week bubble bath? Pretty much never, right? So how about filling up that tub, grabbing a glass of your favorite red wine, turning on some tunes and just letting yourself relax? Amazing, right?

Head straight to yoga. There’s nothing like starting or ending your day on the right foot and bringing yoga into the mix is the perfect way to do that. Whether it’s part of your weekly routine or something totally new to you – make it a priority on Valentine’s Day to give yourself that extra time perfect for calm reflection.

Go Dancing. Gather up all your single friends and head out on the town looking your best, with your dancing shoes on. Shake it all night long until you’re so tired you have to head home. Sounds like a blast, doesn’t it?

Make your bestie your Valentine. Still want to send a card and chocolates? You can, of course! Make your best friends day by sending them straight to her (even if she’s not single). She’ll really feel the love and you will too when she knows you took a few minutes to remind her just how much you appreciate having her in your life.

Have a single ladies party. Why not, right? Gather up all your single friends, make a great dinner and just have fun hanging out.

Get a mani-pedi. Of course! What better day of the year than to treat yourself to a time-honored tradition of total luxury? After work head straight to the salon, you’ll appreciate every moment of it.

Cook something healthy and delicious and have a super low key night at home. Let yourself relax and unwind – put the smartphone away and close your laptop. Just chill out with a good book or let yourself totally veg and watch some t.v.
Are you single? 
What are your Valentine’s Day plans?

Keep doing
Angelika
www.styleupbyangel.com 
(credit: L.R.)

Add Luxury to You Everyday

Living a life a luxury takes work, right? It’s common knowledge that you have to work hard in order to enjoy the finer things in life. What if I told you that a luxurious everyday lifestyle was possible on the budget you’re living on now? Would you believe me? Well, it’s possible! It’s all about enjoying life’s most exquisite pleasures at home, without a millionaire’s paycheck. Below I’ve listed some ways to add luxury to your everyday. Are you interested? Check it out and be sure to leave a message for me in the comments section.

 

 

Wear Lingerie Everyday- Wear your most luxurious lingerie. Knowing you’re wearing deliciously comfortable and beautiful lingerie helps to make a woman feels special. It’s a secret confidence booster that makes you fee like a million bucks.

Cook at Home- No need to invest in a personal chef to create meals that are worthwhile. Cook at home and on your own schedule. You can focus on your dietary needs and use recipes that you want. It’s all about the pleasure of cooking for yourself.

Find Leisure Time- Make time to enjoy a book at a café while sipping on some delicious coffee. Buy yourself a pastry while you’re at it. It’s something that the French would approve of. 

Invest In Some Quality Skincare Products- When a woman gets ready in the morning, it’s her time to focus on herself. To feel fabulous during that special routine,  invest in some quality skincare products. A great moisturizer might make your day just a bit more luxurious.

Shop Local!- Shop from local vendors and boutiques. When you shop local, you get quality one-of-a-kind products without having to blow your budget. Find cute gifts, or unique high quality products for yourself. Not only are you quenching your thirst for luxury but you’re also supporting a local business!

Keep doing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com 

(credit: L.R.)

Living a life a luxury takes work, right? It’s common knowledge that you have to work hard in order to enjoy the finer things in life. What if I told you that a luxurious everyday lifestyle was possible on the budget you’re living on now? Would you believe me? Well, it’s possible! It’s all about enjoying life’s most exquisite pleasures at home, without a millionaire’s paycheck. Below I’ve listed some ways to add luxury to your everyday. Are you interested? Check it out and be sure to leave a message for me in the comments section. - See more at: http://www.lorensworld.com/life-work/how-to-add-luxury-to-your-everyday/#sthash.IeLYqfY0.dpuf

Healthy Foods against Winter Stress

When your plate is full of responsibilities and you’re praying for just one moment of peace, it can be really difficult to put one foot in front of the other; believe us, we know what it’s like. Taking time for yourself can be hard to do, but if you make it a point to take just a few minutes to grab a snack, you might be surprised to find that your stress will start to fade. That is if you know what kind of snack to grab! While “comfort food” might sound like the right choice, these healthy snacks are what you should be reaching for when you want to de-stress:

·      Leafy Greens: While a salad might not exactly ring your “comfort food” bell, there is quite a bit to say about how a bunch of fresh greens can positively affect your body and your mindset! Crazy as it sounds, spinach actually helps you to produce dopamine, the pleasure chemical, with how much folate it contains. If you need to chill, why not make a little salad and you’ll feel great in no time!

·      Oatmeal: Start your day off with a big bowl of steel cut oats and you’ll be setting yourself up for a positive start! Since complex carbs (think no sugar) are known to help the brain create serotonin, a ‘happy’ chemical, you can effectively control your blood sugar levels so your body has a steady supply of serotonin to last you through ‘til lunch.

·      Blueberries: A handful of these little guys is just what you mind needs to relieve your stress! Since blueberries are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients (basically the superheroes of nutrients), the stress hormones in your body won’t stand a chance! Bonus: blueberries have been proven to improve your chances against cancer by boosting your immunity!

·      Salmon: If you’re feeling anxious, your body is probably on overdrive creating adrenaline and cortisol, the main hormones that are associated with stress. Luckily, the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon have been proven to help counteract these stress-inducing hormones. Why not head to the sushi bar and indulge in some delicious stress-fight salmon bites?

·      Pistachios: This delicious snack is an easy way to fight anxiety and enjoy a few moments for yourself. Pack yourself a bag of these nuts and crack a few open when you get hungry. Not only will the repetitive motion with your hands help you to chill out physically, but the phytonutrients found in these nuts will help to calm your brain and offer cardiovascular support as well!

·      Dark Chocolate: Okay, I saved the best for last! While dark chocolate has been proven to aid in heart health, your mind can also benefit from this sweet treat! Not only your morale improve from indulging your sweet-tooth, but the antioxidants in the rich cocoa will help your blood vessels to relax, which in turn leads to lower blood pressure and improved circulation. Treat yourself to a bit of dark chocolate and let the stress just melt off your body!

The phrase, “you are what you eat,” can certainly apply here – when you know what kind of properties are in your food you can pick the right snacks to benefit any situation, even the most stressful moments! Which of these super foods that help fight stress will you be stocking up on?

Stay healthy

Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

Ralph Lauren - Goodbye

 Stardesigner Ralph Lauren gibt nach 48 Jahren an der Spitze des nach ihm benannten Kleidungskonzerns den Chefposten ab. Stefan Larsson, bisher Topmanager der Marke Old Navy des Rivalen Gap, wird den Vorstandsvorsitz im November übernehmen, teilte die Ralph Lauren Corporation am Dienstag mit.

Der 75-jährige Gründer des Modelabels wird als Verwaltungsrats- und Designchef aber weiter Einfluss nehmen. "Mein Job ist es, immer über die Zukunft unserer Firma nachzudenken – Stefan Larsson ist außergewöhnlich begabt und wird ihr eine frische und globale Perspektive bringen", sagte Lauren.

Junger Partner stellt neue Weichen

Der 41-jährige Larsson arbeitete 15 Jahre lang für die schwedische Modekette H&M, bevor er 2012 bei Old Navy anheuerte. Lauren holt damit einen jüngeren Partner an Bord und stellt so die Weichen für die Führung.

Keep doing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: AP)

A Capricorn - so true !

You Love Work- Your friends call you a workaholic, but truly you just place your work high on your priority list. Nothing wrong with that! You work hard!

You Love Money- You work hard to—well, reap the benefits. Capricorns tend to be materialistic, but for the most part, you take care of your finances. You think about being safe for the future.

You’re Practical- Like I said, you think about your future and your safety. You aren’t a big risk taker and you like your familiar routine. This sort of pragmatic planning is kind of your thing.

You’re Loyal- Despite being a recluse at times, you’re loyal to the people you trust and love the most. Your friends know this about you and they know they can always count on you, Capricorn.

You’re Organized- Your friends and family consider you organized and responsible. You’ve always been the most “adult” out of your friends. You’re good at taking care of your life and the direction of it. People rely on your responsible nature.

You Don’t Mind Letting People Have The Attention- Once again, you’re an introvert! You don’t need people applauding you all the time. Your friends can have a moment in the spotlight while you stand somewhere nearby. It’s all good to you.

You Can’t Stand A Lie- You know when people are lying to you and you can sense a false attitude from a mile away. You’re already wary of new people. On top of that, you have a keen eye for detail, so you’re really good a spotting out a lie.

Keep styling

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

( Credit: L.R.)

Tips for Packing de Light

No matter what, when you travel, packing light is a real bonus. Even though it feels great to have lots of outfit options, lugging around a heavy suitcase or loads of bags can really drag you down. You are  thinking about what to pack. Turns out it really pays to keep it simple. Not sure how? Here are a few tips for packing light and smart, especially when you’re traveling for business.

Limit yourself to one bag. No matter how much you want to pack up every suitcase you have, fight the urge and limit yourself to a single bag. Having the one bag limit will help you pair down to only the essentials that can be mixed, matched and used more than once. Carrying one piece of luggage leaves your arms free for your carry on, computer bag or even a cup of coffee – making travel so much easier.

Pack staple items that can be mixed and matched.  

Convention, you probably want to look professional and feel your best.  Going for items like a neutral suit that can be switched out to be worn with different shirts, a light sweater and the matching jacket or skirt on rotation will make packing light pretty easy. When it comes to eveningwear – find items that can be paired with these same pieces – sleeveless of flowing tops, a pair of heels and jewelry to really dress it up. Lay everything out for the week, and each event, so that you have outfits planned ahead of time.

Skip the laptop and carry an iPad or tablet. We’ll spend most of each day in presentations, breakouts and conferences, right? So why lug that heavy laptop around? Pack light by toting your iPad or tablet to make your load that much lighter and more manageable.

When packing toiletries, opt to use what the hotel provides and go light on bringing your own. Most hotels have lovely toiletries and will even provide a toothbrush and toothpaste when you’re in a jam. Rather than loading up on bulky shampoos and conditioners, pack only the essentials and use what the hotel provides.

Make a list. Packing can be a real challenge, especially when you’re trying to keep it light. Making a checklist will help ensure you have everything you need and can work double-duty for helping you to scale back and figure out what you can leave behind and what’s absolutely essential.

Keep traveling

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R.)

Summer is Flirting Time !!

Maybe you’re not so great with first impressions, or maybe you just want to sharpen up your skills. We know all the basics. You laugh, you make eye contact, you touch his arm. I’m yawning already. Are you? Well you’ve come to the right place! I’ll help you out without the basics! I’ve got some ways to help you flirt better, even though I’m pretty sure you don’t need any help with that million-watt smile of yours! Either way, check out some of my tips below and let me know what you think in the comments.

Be Yourself- According to science, flirting is something you already know how to do. That arm touch and all that eye contact—well, you already have that down. It’s evolution! All you have to do is be yourself and the rest will come naturally.

Try To Make A Connection- Let go of trying to make an impression. Honestly, first impressions are more based on physical appearance, body language, and the sound of your voice. What you actually say makes up about 7% of someone’s first impression of you. So try to let go of that ego and focus on making an actual connection so that 7% counts. Besides, the goal of flirting isn’t to impress, it’s to show that you have an interest in that other person. So try your best to make that interest be known.

The Golden Rule- Treat the person you’re flirting with like a human being. Again, seek to make a connection! People can tell when you’re trying to treat them like a conquest or a challenge. Go into flirting with the idea that you’re going in to meet another person. Now get out there! You got this, girl!

Keep doing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R.)