Exercise for Your Summer Beauty Part 2

Hot Air

Whew! It's hot out! But you need to keep that figure in check right? Here's some more tips to stay fit and looking slim this summer. Again, we aren't experts on this, but some things just make sense:

• If you're not going to sweat at the gym, then don't go! "What?!" you say, "Don't go to the gym? How's that going to help?" It turns out when you go to the gym and don't work hard, you give yourself a false sense of accomplishment. This will make you feel entitled to eat that Ben & Jerry's Half baked pint while sitting on the couch watching Pretty Women... which can in turn lead to weight gain and discouragement. Really mean business when you exercise. While walking the treadmill, you really only burned 20 calories (give or take a few). Studies show that people who go to the gym eat more, so think twice before you walk out the door just to walk on that treadmill!

• So you made it to the treadmill, and said to yourself, "Self, I'm going to work hard at the gym today!" Prove it: Let go of the sides! We aren't kidding: When you hold onto the sides of the treadmill you are decreasing the resistance and that will cause you to think you are working hard when you really aren't. You might as well eliminate the incline and walk because you get the same workout walking without an incline as you will when holding on for dear life at a ridiculous incline.

• Take the stairs! Many people today don't think about taking the stairs. Why should you? The stairwell is hidden in the corner of the lobby way over there, and the elevator is right here at the front door right? Little (or well) did you know that the stairs are a good way to get the heart pumping and tone those legs! Start small and increase the number of steps and the amount of time the stairs are taken.

• Sometimes the exercise routine just isn't enough. Genetics can make it hard to loose weight in certain areas you'd like to look a little slimmer on. Often makeup can help you reach the margin you're looking for. Check out this tip from 101 Lazy Girl Makeover Tips.

Exercise for Your Summer Beauty Part 1

The summer time is the best time to get out of doors and enjoy the weather. Being active outdoors is even better because you'll be doing your body a favor while enjoying everything you can do in the great outdoors, your local park, or just in your backyard. While we're not experts on fitness or health of any kind, we just wanted to offer some advise for other busy women looking for some ideas on how to keep in tip top shape all summer and into winter!

We have a few suggestions you might like for keeping fit and slim this summer:

• Check out Kaw! Studios' article on some very affordable exercise solutions for someone on a budget!
• RealSimple.com also has a great guide to some easy Yoga poses. This could be a great way to start out your day with fresh air and some exercise on the back patio or lawn. They also have plenty of other great tips for health and fitness.
• Do you have a pet? Walking a dog is a great way to improve fitness and burn calories. Being in the fresh air also improves mood, and walking a dog in the park is a great way to start a conversation with that attractive stranger. Plus, Fido will really love you for it!

And here's another helpful tip for staying chic this summer - it doesn't have anything to do with exercise, we promise! Covergirl.com has some nice In Season Looks with makeup tips to keep your beauty routine fresh.

The Best Summer Cocktails

As July races on into August, we will be starting to face some of the hottest days of the summer for most of the USA. Sometimes staying in the shade isn't enough to keep the heat at bay when you want to enjoy the outdoors. You could always invest in a mini motorized fan... Or you could mix up some icy cocktails to delight your taste buds! Take that summer heat!

We found a few great drinks to enjoy at your own personal cocktail hour. Check them out:

• Kitchen Confidante had a great mix going with their Summer Sangria with Rum cocktail recipe. Beautiful to look at and sounds delicious!
• MarthaStewart.com is also a great source of refreshing ideas for all sorts of cocktails, including Vodka cocktails. If you are interested in making a variety of things, this is the sight for you!
• Don't have the ingredients? Prefer to be served? If you live in New York City, CBS has put together a fun list for you of some lovely places to visit for delicious cocktails. Check out their article about The 5-Best Summer Cocktails to Try in NYC.
• Wrong coast? That's OK. Try the Huffington Post's article about Los Angeles's Summer Cocktails in LA: The Best Mojitos . 
• Check out our Pinterest Board for a few more summer cocktail ideas (and lots of other tasty treats)!

Jazz Up Your Scarf

Summer can be a tricky time of year. First you're hot outside with the sun and the mercury sky high, then you're cold as you go inside to that oh-so-climate controlled office. How do you defeat the temperature change? Accessorize with a scarf! If you wear one to work every day, it can get a little old just wrapping it around your neck, so we put together a Polyvore board with a few suggestions on how to keep your scarf style fresh.

H2Z Scarf Styling by h2-z