April Favorites

Here is a list of all the things I LOVED this month! 

1. Candles Candles Candles! 

I've become obsessed with all things candles 

The looks. The Smells. The atmosphere it creates in a room. 

I LOVE CANDLES! 

My favorite this month is from, my love, Bath and Body Works. Strawberry Sorbet.

I love it because it adds color to my white room & the smell is all about SUMMER!

Some of my favorite candles are from Anthropology but I have a hard time spending $20+ for a candle

So this brings me to my second favorite thing of the month

2. Mr Kate!

Kate is a YouTube guru that does easy and cute DIY and I love her style. 

I hate getting rid of some of my old candles because I love the container.

I discovered Mr Kate and she saved me and my jars! 

Here is the link to upcycle your amazing Candles 

Jeweled Candles

Here are the ones I made ;)

 

4. My wireless music speakers! 

These are called Jam Classics and its Bluetooth and rechargeable. I LOVE IT 

Its loud and great quality so GO GET IT!

5.
Duh .... need I say more? 

MUSIC!!

This is what is playing on my Summer Playlist! 

1. Gown Women - Beyonce 

2. Petition- Beyonce 

3. Deezy Daisy - Portland 

4. Cant Remember to Forget You - Shakira

5. #Selfie - Chain Smokers 

6. Burn - Elli Golding 

7. Latch - Disclosure 

8. Body Ache- Britney Spears

9.Work Work - Britney Spears 

Have a great Sunday everyone!!

Because Of Him

Every Sunday I go to church and sit through three hours of Gospel doctrine. Sometimes I LOVE listening and really love learning, then there are many other times where I wish I could be trying my new DIY i've seen on Pinterest. I know im young and have a lot to learn but yesterday was another day that I was grateful for all my shortcomings in life.

God had to let me fall, and he had to watch me fall hard.

Growing up I struggled with a lot of self esteem issues which led to addictions with food and weight issues, leading into health issues and trust issues.

I struggled with all these issues all growing up in high school and my first years of college.

I heard the voice of Satan every minute of everyday.

He would tell me I wasn't good enough, I wasn't worth it, I was ugly, fat, dumb, He told me I was a horrible friend, He told me that hiding and food was my friend and people weren't. He told me I wasnt good enough to even go to church so why bother? He told me God didnt want me there.

I listened

I didnt go to church because I was embarrassed, I hid in my room everyday. My friend was ice cream and fast food. I felt horrible about my self. I saw myself slip down so low and so dark I hated seeing myself in a mirror.

I saw my friends all around me succeeding and living an amazing life!

I hated watching my friends succeed in school, work and relationships. I was jealous and envious of what they had and what I didnt

I wanted someone to love me so bad to maybe help me get out of my head. So when someone came and showed me some sort of love I did the unthinkable and let that person take control of me. They left. I was alone all over again.

But something was different this time. Something slapped me in the face one night and said "Alexa you silly girl read your blessing"

I got out a copy of a blessing that was given to me when I was 16. The line that stood out to me said something on the lines of " God is pleased with you... You where one of the leaders."

I broke down, and for the first time I pored my heart out to my Savoir. I went to talk to my Bishop at church and he lead me to read some amazing books about the Atonement. My eyes where open to what was being taught in church all these years of my life.

Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ I was able to pick my self up.. very slowly.. but for once in a long time I was moving forward. And isn't this what life is about.. moving forward?

Because of Him I can become like him. I can live in the presence of my Heavenly Father again.

Because of Him my mistakes can be forgiven and most importantly they can be forgotten.

Because of Him I can be perfect.

Because of Him I can be better everyday.

Because of Him I learned to serve others.

Because of Him I look at myself and can love myself because my body is a gift from Him, I am made in His image. I have to take care of this body. Its the only one I get.

GOD LOVES ME! GOD WANTS ME TO LOVE ME!

and He loves you!

I love Easter and the reminder that Because of Him I can be with my family forever. I can be with CJ forever.

CJ is the perfect example of love and service. That's one reason i Love him

Happy Easter Season everyone!

I hope you can see how much I love you all!

xoxo

Spring Fling Makeup!

Spring Time is Finally here! I don't get me wrong I love fall looks, but getting to add light bright colors to your look is so much fun. I always love stating with a new makeup look that is light and fresh but still shows off my eyes.

PS how cute is this sweater a cute Mom at work made for me! Love it.

1. NAKED 3 pallet

this pallet is perfect for spring its rose gold and really gives you a nice pop of color 

2. Foundation 

Im using of course Loreal true match 

3. Light Powder

Hello Flawless by Benefit

4. Bronzer

Hoola by Benefit

5. Highlighter 

MAC skin finish Whisper of Guilt

6. Blush 

MAC Peachykeen

7. Skin Primer

for a flawless face use Benefit Pore Fessional 

8. favorite mascara 

9. Eye Primer 

Urban Decay in SIN

10. Lips 

MAC Girl About Town 

This stuff is AMAZING! It totally instantly makes pores appear smaller and makes your skin look close to flawless

Prime your eyes with SIN by Urban Decay. It will add a sparkle to the look and hold the color very well all day. 

Pack on the color DUST on the eye lid blending up into the crease.

With a smaller pencil brush take the color NOONER and add it to your crease and blend up. Also blend this onto your lower lash line. 

In the outer V of your eye add DARKSIDE and blend into the crease. 

Using an angle brush using the color DARKSIDE line the lower and upper lash line. 

Curl lashes and add mascara.

For your lips im using MAC Girl About Town 

BOOM POP COLOR!

Love this lipstick 

Contour with bronzer and highlight your cheek bones and brush on a light blush or Peachykeen from MAC im using here.


Im loving this look and hope you give it a try!

Have a great day out in the sun!

Summer is coming and im so excited

The Sunshine Rule

Every Sunday my amazing Grandpa Prolo sends us a little text with a lesson or a quote of inspiration. I loved this mornings text and I wanted to share it with everyone.

"Have the courage to make the RIGHT decisions"

"Be the best you know YOU SHOULD BE"

"Don't do anything in the dark that you would not want to see in the light"

This really made me think. And it reminded me of some advice I heard a few years ago. As I was struggling with an eating disorder a person I really admire told me to always act like I was constantly being watched. And that person is the Lord.

He is always watching us and is rooting us on. He is there when we are sick, sad or happy. The Lord is our biggest fan and wants us to succeed. To succeed we have to be the best we can be everyday!

We can improve little everyday and it always adds up. I love learning about the atonement  because its what we are here on earth to do. Learn and Improve.

Im grateful for my amazing family that inspires me everyday.

I hope you are having an amazing Sunday! Lets have the courage to be better than we are right now.

Food Friday: Cookies and Cream Bark

Two ingredients! Guilt free and Clean!

Packed with protein and good fats

This is so quick and easy and just a great treat if you need a sweet but don't want to go for the sugary food.

All you need is...

1. Quest Bar Cookies and Cream Bar

2. 1/4 cup of coconut oil

Directions
1. Cut or tear the Quest bar apart into tiny pieces
2. melt your 1/4 cup of coconut oil over the stove
3. In a non stick pan poor the oil over the cookies and cream pieces
4. freeze for 1 hour!

Get out chop up ..
And BOOM your done!

I'm really satisfied with really one bit so the rest I can save for later!

They are chewy sweet and melt in your mouth! They really hit the spot after a long day of chasing nuggets around.
Easy. Yummy. Quilt Free!

EM Cosmetics Make Up Look

Let play with makeup!

Today i'm going to spotlight EM Cosmetics by my favorite youtube guru Michelle Phan. I've been using and sampling a lot of her stuff and overall i'm very IMPRESSED. 

Today i'm going to use her Life Palette Career Life. 

Lets get started! 

Prep Your Skin! 

We need to prepare a clear canvas! 

make sure your washing and taking care of your face so its flawless

Lotion & Prime 

*My favorite Primer is SMASH BOX it holds the makeup and creates a smooth finish ... looks greats in photos as well. 

Foundation & Powder 
*Light foundation for a daytime look ill be using LOreal True Match in W2, (Drugstore)
*Powder is a MUST HAVE! Benefit HELLO FLAWLESS in champagne

Bronze & Highlight
* Another Must Have is Benefit HOOLA. Blend under cheek bones up the hair line and on the sides of your nose
* For this look im using Benefit WATT'S UP! its a natural highlighter that is not too shimmery but it lightens up the face. Apply to check bones, nose bridge and under your brow bone.

Eyes

*Prime the eye: MUST HAVE Urban Decay eye Primer in Original

* In this look we are using the lower right hand palette. Natural Talent 

1. cover the eye lid with a light brown Take a Break

2. On the entire crease of the eye blend the burnt red/ brown  Nude Rose and blend blend blend and build till desire. drag this color under the eye as well.

3. Take the deep brown On the Grind and apply it to your outer corner and again BLEND

4. Optional... if you would like to take it to the next level add the deep brown with sparkles 32nd Floor and blend that as well into the crease and under the eye.

5. To brighten up the look i took MACs pressed pigment Blonde Streak and placed it right on the center of the eye.

6. Using a pencil black or dark brown eye liner blend to outline your beautiful eyes

7. Curl and apply your favorite mascara!

Brows!
PLEASE DONT FORGET THESE!! They frame your eyes and make the biggest difference in your look!

 I use Anastasia's Brow Set...

Blush 
* lightly add a neutral blush color polished

LIPS

Finish off with a natural deep pink gloss Dressed Up
Highlight the cupid bow

AND WALLAH!! This look is great for everyday, errands on the town or just keep adding the dark color and wear it at night on your date!

Thanks for baring with me and my first makeup post!

Ill be sharing a lot more looks!

Check out my Make Up Must Haves Page for all my MUST HAVES and where you can purchase them

xoxo

Tone It Up Tuesday

I have been getting a lot of questions on what my "wedding diet" is... well I hate to burst your bubble because its not a diet its my new LIFE STYLE!.

I have been following the Tone It up plan for almost 3 years now. Words can not describe how AMAZING this program is. It not only teaches me how to eat LEAN CLEAN & GREEN it teaches me everyday to love myself and to treat my body with respect.

Katrina and Karina are amazing and make you WANT to take better care of yourself. With challenges every month and a day to day plan of what to do exercise and nutrition wise you never are in a rut.

How to get started!

Visit the Tone It Up site and sign up for weekly newletter.
Every Sunday they post your weekly work out schedule and let me just tell you that these become a staple in your life

They always post motivational things and recipes to keep you on your goal path.

Their work outs are free and easy to follow, you will fill the burn the next day and its AMAZING

Wanna kick it up a notch?

Invest in the TIU nutrition plan! TIU Nutrition Plan. It is an easy guide to help you on your way to your dream body

Here is an example of my day on the TIU Plan

Booty Call
Meal 1: Chocolate protein pancake
Meal 2: Apple
Meal 3. Pineapple chicken
Work out
Meal 4: Quest Bar ( we will talk about these later ;)
Meal 5: Lean green dinner with Greek yogurt if needed

But Wait there is more! 

They also have the BEST protein products I have ever had! Click Perfect Fit to see all the amazing products.

I cant go a day without my Multivitamin and my CHOCOLATE Perfect Fit. To be honest the bars arent my fave but they have so much more to help you stay on your plan.

START TODAY 

April is the perfect time to start the BEACH BABE challenge is starting and im SO excited this will be my 3rd beach babe challenge and its my favorite and I always see amazing results

I will be posting my progress to reaching my goals through this program
*lean for the wedding
*200 miles before the wedding
*honeymoon bod ;)
I will be keeping you up to date with everything fitness and health wise!
xoxo
follow @lex_tiu for everyday TONE IT UP posts



2012 (on right) about 140bls

 

March 2014 about 120