Bold & Bella

Losing weight is probably the number one New Year's Resolution in the world. It's a great goal, but it's very vague. The issue with vague goals is that they hardly ever get accomplished. Since there is SO much involved in the process, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, not know where to start, and give up on the whole idea before you even really get started. Big goals need to be broken down into smaller, more manageable chunks. If you're curious about how to lose weight, here are 5 steps that make that giant goal seem more within reach: 1- Set realistic, measurable goals.  Start off by committing to something that both makes sense for your physical capabilities and fits into your schedule. When I first started working out, I committed to a program called T25, which promised to deliver an hour's worth of gym-time in just 25 minutes, 5 days a week. At the time, my workout schedule was sporadic at best, so less than 30 minutes a day during the workweek seemed...

Squats are amazing. They work everything in your lower half and help build muscles in my favorite areas: legs and butt. The problem that many people have with squats is that they aren't doing them properly. Form is everything when it comes to any kind of weight training. Yes, even if all you're using is the weight of your own body. If done incorrectly, squatting can cause pain in your lower back and your knees...two things I'm sure everyone would like functioning properly well into their 50s. Here are some things to keep in mind when working your lower half: 1. Squeeze your abs It's a common misconception that the core is only where the abs live. In reality, your core is everything in your midsection, to include your lower back. Squeezing your tummy gives your lower back support and prevents it from having to work overtime. If the concept of squeezing your abs is foreign to you, picture your belly button and your spine coming together. 2. Put your weight in you...

"Action is the fastest and most direct route to clarity."   -Marie Forleo, Everything is Figureoutable  Most books and articles on career and business-building advise people seeking success to focus on a "niche," a specialty that will set you apart from your competitors. Basically, to be successful, you have to narrow your brand and be the person that people think of when they think (insert industry, craft or trade here). This has always been somewhat of a challenge for me because I have never wanted to do just one thing, nor do I believe that I am only talented and suited for one particular field. I want to do it all, and I truly believe that I can do it well. Of course, like most people, I tried to focus. When I was little and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd spout off whatever idea had popped into my head that day... a ballerina, a lawyer, a teacher, a singer, a model! I figured that one day I'd grow up and just know...

There are people in the world who are perfectly content doing the same thing day in and day out. These individuals thrive off of their routines and are happiest in their comfort zone...I am not one of those people. When it comes to the people I love, I am highly committed and loyal. My RODs (Ride or Dies) have been with me since high school, and even my husband and I have been together since I was 17. But when it comes to my career, I'm all over the place. By the age of 25 I'd already had 15 different jobs, and I didn't start working until I was 16. It's not that I am afraid to commit, it's more that I have got a serious case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out...I know I just saved 30% of you from having to Google it...you're welcome!). There are SO many things that I want to do with my life that I dabble in a little of everything. The problem with that is that it's easy to take on too much, get burned out, and quit altogether. At one point a couple of years a...

It's that time of the year when everyone is trying to undo the damage from the holidays (cookies, cakes, and coquito...oh my!) There are a lot of very effective products out there that you can buy BUT if you're like me, and on top of the fact that you need to beat the bloat you're also strapped for cash, there's a simple and effective detox water that you can make yourself at home. What you'll need:                                                2 liters of water (about 8.5 cups)   3 stalks of celery 1/4 cup of sliced ginger  The Good Stuff  Ginger has a long-standing reputation as nature's ibuprofen, helping to settle upset stomachs and ease inflammation, but did you know that celery has the same effect? The combination of these two anti-inflammatory ingredients makes this detox water highly effective.  In additi...

One of the greatest pieces of advice that I've ever received is to stay in the moment. We live in an extremely busy time. Everyone is always on the move, thinking about their next move, or actively planning a move, at all times. There is no rest, and because of that, it's easy to miss out on the everydayness of life (yes, I just made that word up, and I'm going to leave it there. It's cute.) The trouble I have with this advice, though, is that staying in the moment can lead a busy bee like me to get stuck. I am the kind of person who is constantly working on something, and a lack thereof can make me feel like I'm in a rut. There is a fine line between being at peace and being complacent, and it can be hard not to fall into the latter. The key is finding a balance between the present and the future.  I know, but how?  It's important to have goals, and to take steps everyday to achieve them. For example, if your goal is to save for a down payment on ...

When it comes to caring for your skin, the very FIRST thing you need to have a good grasp of is the type of skin that you have. Most products and treatments are geared toward a specific type, so knowing yours will help you select the right ingredients/treatments for your face. There are technically four skin types: Oily Dry Combination Normal (this one is the technicality, because really, what's "normal?") Here are the characteristics of each: Oily THIS is the one I know most about because it's the one I've been dealing with my entire life. (OK, really since about the age of 12. Before that, I knew nothing about a T-Zone or a breakout). Oily skin is classified as one that overproduces sebum (your skin's natural oil) and is prone to looking shiny and feeling slick or greasy. This is also the skin type that's most likely to be acne-prone, as the oil can get trapped in the pores, causing a breakout.  Dry  This skin type is the op...

January is the time for New Year's Resolutions (read: promises that people make to themselves that they highly promote on their IG, #NewYearNewMe...and then fizzle out by March). Before you get angry and take what you just read personally, know that if you've been offended, it's because there's some truth to it.  SO many people make commitments at the beginning of the year and then don't even make it to the summer before they give up. Why? Usually it's because whatever they've committed to is way too drastic of a change (say you've never, ever gone running a day in your life and you suddenly commit to running 3 miles a day for the entire year...), or life happens, and suddenly a promise that seemed so worthwhile now feels impossible (i.e. you promised that you'd save for that vacation you've been wanting to take, but you lose your job...Depressing, I know, but I'm trying to keep it real here).  This year, I have decided to try som...