My New Favorite Outfit: Natural Beauty

Monday, August 19, 2013

Natural Beauty


I've always admired natural beauty; girls who always look like they rolled out of bed looking perfect. They make it look effortless. For me, it's a process.  When I wake up in the morning, my hair looks like I stuck my finger in a light socket for one. That being said, I think there are some really basic things that can make your natural beauty shine a little bit easier.

First, I think getting enough sleep is super important. The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep each night. If I don't get at least 8 I am no fun to be around. For real. My son has a set bedtime, why shouldn't I? Last week I stayed up late watching Project Runway (I couldn't help myself). I paid for it the next day.

I also think it's important to make sure you're eating right. The health teacher has this poster in the hallway and I think of it often. Our portion sizes can be way out of whack. I thought I'd share some tips to making sure you're monitoring your portion size. First, never eat out of the package directly, trust me; the bottom of that chip bag will come sooner than you think. Second, when going out to eat plan to eat only half of your meal, or box up half of it to take home before even starting to eat. Third, use a smaller plate. We have a tendency to fill up our plates. I always use a small plate at breakfast and lunch and use a normal dinner plate at dinner.  Lastly, and I can be super guilty of this one, ask yourself if you're hungry or just bored.  If you're just bored drink some water or have a piece of gum, I find this works. I know I don't feel like I'm any closer to being a natural beauty after I've eaten a greasy meal or snacked all afternoon.

Next I think it's important it be active; this definitely helps bring your natural beauty out. Experts recommend 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Before Grant I went to the gym at least five days a week, now Grant and I go on a lot of walks. I always feel great after doing this. I wish I went to the gym again, but at this stage in my life I don't feel good about not getting Grant from daycare until 6:00 because I've been at the gym. I think it's important to do what you can, and some is better than nothing.

I also think that knowing and dressing for your shape helps to show off your natural beauty.  I take the time to plan my outfits ahead of time, so that I can look my best. If I wait until the morning I end up wearing basic pants, a cardigan, and some shirt.  I don't feel great in this, therefore my natural beauty isn't able to show through as easily.  It's amazing how putting on clothes you feel good wearing can change your whole attitude!

Lastly, I think it's important to pamper yourself a bit. After Grant's bedtime I enjoy taking bubble baths. I also enjoy giving myself manicures and pedicures. I used to go get this done, but started doing it on my own a number of years ago to save money.  I was recently given the opportunity to try Seventh Generation Skin Serum for being a part of the Lucky Community as part of their #AllNaturalStyleSecrets contest. The serum is specifically formulated to "provide all-day moisture to help relieve and protect against chapping, cracking and roughness due to dryness." I decided to give this a try on my feet to finish off my pedicure. My feet are definitely the roughest part of my body, so if it worked there, it would work anywhere. I applied a small amount to each foot and was very happy with the results. It was the perfect end to my pedicure and I definitely plan to use it again. 

I'd love for you ladies to take a second to vote for me here. You can also take a look at the others posts about Seventh Generation Skin Serum here too.  







Blazer: Kohl's similar
Top: Loft $20 similar c/o Chippmunk
Skirt: Target $16  similar
Belt: Kohl's $1.5  similar
Necklace: Stella and Dot Jolie
Bracelets: Stella and Dot JulepGilded Arrow, and Chimera similar
Shoes: Fergalicious $30 similar

                                                   

*I received a free sample of this product from Lucky and Seventh Generation for use in connection with this blog.

36 comments:

  1. I totally agree with you. I know that getting enough sleep and drinking enough water are really big factors for me, so I try to do better with them. I really like the color combo in your outfit today, and I like the belt!

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  2. These are definitely tips I follow! Eating right, getting enough sleep, working out, wearing sunscreen, and drinking water are all things I try to do every day. I love your necklace with this outfit! The color of your skirt is so pretty!

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  3. Getting enough sleep! My definite must!! Gorgeous look btw I am loving that pop of green in your outfit :) so pretty!

    XO Meghan

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  4. Great tips Ginny! I am loving the fun colors in this outfit!

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  5. Fantastic color combo! You look stunning!!
    oXo
    Jenn
    www.thebrandiedpair.blogspot.com

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  6. You have the most fabulous jackets Ginny! I think those are great tips! I know that, as a mom, I never get enough rest(: Thanks! Susan

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  7. I can totally relate, when my son was born a lot of my routines changed. Luckily a lot of new ones were created. The hardest is definitely the set bedtimes, I just seem to stay up later and later.
    Love your outfit by the way!

    Pia
    Pjmscloset.blogspot.ca

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  8. Loving the color combo!


    P.S. I'm giving away 5 sponsor spots this week on my blog and I'd love for you to come and enter!

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  9. So true - I definitely require 8-10 hours of sleep a night. It's amazing how much worse I feel when I only get 7 hours. I really need to do better at making myself go to sleep at a reasonable time. It's so easy to stay up reading, or watching TV.

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  10. I love this outfit! That skirt is a gorgeous color! I'm headed to go vote for you now :)

    If you get a chance, please vote for me in the Wallis contest. xo http://bit.ly/15vLhMj

    www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com
    www.daisyraeboutique.com

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  11. I HAVE to get 8 hours of sleep or I end up being sick! I love this outfit on you Ginny!

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  12. I'm with you...I need to get 9 hours of sleep a night! Otherwise I'm totally exhausted. I don't know how people function on 5 or 6 hours.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    JCrew Giveaway!

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  13. 1) This outfit is gorgeous, I love all the colors! 2) These are all great tips. I rarely do all of them in one day, but I do try to do at least one thing per day that makes me feel good about myself.

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  14. love the outfit! the colors are so pretty together!
    & i love your advice! even though it's common sense things, we rarely do any of these! haha I know, at least, i don't :X but yes to being active and dressing for your shape-- and of course, the most important, sleeping!!
    xx Corinne
    cateyesandthighhighs.blogspot.com

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  15. I loved reading this post because I can totally relate. Feeling good about yourself starts with your health, how you eat & sleep and what you wear or how you pamper yourself. I have never been a gym type of girl but I still keep active and now that I am a Mom even more so. I take Vivian on her stroller and walk, too.

    I must say I love this Outfit. Is it what you wore to your first day back to work? That Blazer is Great and the Skirt looks like from Ann Taylor, Banana Republic or The Limited, definitely more expensive. The first picture is lovely too, great shot.

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  16. Love this color combination. It's so perfect for the upcoming Fall. Have a wonderful week!

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  17. You look beautiful, Ginny! And I agree that all of these ways are such perfect ways to bring out our natural beauty! I should actually take this to heart and start working out a little bit more. Ugh.

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  18. Definitely gorgeous! The color combination is so vibrant, and that green necklace is adorable!
    We are linking to this post on our healthy desserts post because what you wrote was inspiring indeed :)

    <3 PinKixx

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  19. You look amazing!! I'm obsessed with everything about this outfit!!! The colors are gorgeous together! So classy! Perfect teacher outfit! Okay I totally eat when I'm bored , so I try to stay busy or do something when I feel like I want to eat even though I'm not hungry. I feel so good after working out or going for a walk and my hair looks like I got electrocuted in the morning too! Hello Mufassa! Haha! :)

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  20. I totally need that blazer~perfect!

    Marie @
    Lemondrop ViNtAge

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  21. I totally agree with the sleep point! I'd rather get tons of sleep than go out for a drink any day of the week. I feel so much better and am so much healthier!

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  22. Great color combo you have going on here
    Sleep....I want some
    Brett

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  23. I love the colors in this outfit!

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  24. I've always wanted to be a natural beauty...but so far it hasn't happened yet haha. I find that drinking a lot of water and green tea do help me look and feel more energized, and that getting in a few workouts a week helps too! As for sleep...I'm only getting about 6 hours per night right now, and that's probably harming me. Loved reading your tips though! And, I LOVE this outfit on you! So pretty.

    ~Jacy

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  25. Love that shade of skirt with that jacket. So pretty.

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  26. i'm falling quite short of 8 hours of sleep these days :) i seriously love every one of your outfits. i love all those colors together!

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  27. Such a perfect, classic look.
    I completely agree with your list. I'm the kind of girl who needs her 8 hours, but for the past couple weeks I've been surviving with 7. It's been killing me!

    Lauren
    Fizz and Frosting

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  28. What a fabulous look~ I love all the pretty colors~ Your necklace completes the look perfectly =D

    http://sensiblestylista.blogspot.com/
    Twitter: sensiblestylist

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  29. Wonderful outfit and great tips! Absolutely agree with everything you said here and, just like you, if I don't get enough sleep, I am best avoided. :D
    x

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  30. I love being a natural beauty, I've been working on it for life and continue more... Love your outfit, you look fantastic!

    http://www.attraction2fashion.com

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  31. Sleep is SO IMPORTANT. I am still catching up from the last month. I have felt awful and the more I catch up the better. When I get a full 8 hours I feel like the best version of me.

    Also, I LOVE this skirt with your striped blazer! It is so perfect!

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  32. Love this, these are all great tips. And I love this outfit. The striped blazer is just perfect and I love it with the color of that skirt. You look beautiful and classy!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  33. Love these tips. I know that I definitely do better when I sleep enough. It wasn't until I got to graduate school that I started to really put sleep as a priority in my life (at a time when I hardly had any free time), and I think it was a complete life changer! I often am on campus 12-14 hours a day, and when I get enough sleep, I am able to plow through class and work with no problem. It's amazing how much better you feel when you get enough sleep, right?! I'm also working on eating better and working out more. I feel better when I am active, and while I hate cooking, I know it's important for me to do instead of relying on grab-and-go meals or snacking all day.

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  34. You look great - you always look put-together but not over-done!

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  35. I love your comment about fitness... A little is better than nothing! That's my mantra now that school has started! :)

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