How to Make Braids Pop

Hi friends!

Today's post is a little different, in that from now on I'm going to do a weekly skincare feature from my sister, @tristin_the_esthetician! Each week at the end of my blog post I will add some words from Tris, where she gives you guys different facts about skin. Knowledge is power, and let me just say I went through her notebook and read everything that she's going to explain to us and I am PUMPED. I am someone who researches skincare fairly often and a lot of this I didn't even know.

So, let's jump into it! I've noticed a lot of girls I know have a hard time with braids. They can hurt your brain and be hard to master. On top of that, once we learn how to braid successfully, we turn and look in the mirror to find that the braid looks nothing like the inspo picture.

WTF?!?!

All of this practice, for a wimpy braid? Okay. Calm down, let mama help you.

Im going to give you some steps on how to make that braid POP just like the braids on those bitches on Pinterest. Granted, in order to follow this post you need to learn the basics on how to braid. As I've said before, watch Youtube and practice, practice, practice! I used Tris as a short haired example for you guys. This is for everyone! (Except for those of you with a pixie cut. Obviously.)

STEP 1: Add some volumizing powder

This is a game changer, especially if you have thin or fine hair. It's also super helpful if your hair is clean and soft. You're going to be pulling apart your braid, and if it is too slippery or thin it won't stay put where you pull it. This stuff gives it the grip it needs to stay in place. It's a powder that turns to liquid once it hits the tip of your fingers. Spray it onto your braid, but just know that it does give it a very gritty, dirty feeling so I don't recommend spraying it all over your head if you want your hair to feel soft. I've added a link here

STEP 2: Pull the braid apart

I like to start from the bottom of the braid and work my way up to the crown. Pinch the outside of the braid and pull apart- the messier the better, in my opinion. Play with it! If some pieces get pulled out, tuck them back in. I like to pull apart the crown as well. Don't be afraid to go up and down the braid a few times.

STEP 3: Pull tight

Once I'm done pulling the braid apart and have it looking the way I want it to look, I grab the tail at the end and tighten it like I would tighten a ponytail on the top of my head. This will keep it in place.

DONE! So easy! With this style I just pinned it low on the nape of her neck and finished with some hair spray.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! This is a super easy step that make a HUGE difference in how your braids look. I also did this to a large classic French braid on myself. It takes the braid from "Hi, I'm 12." to messy-bohemian.

SKINCARE FEATURE OF THE WEEK

@TRISTIN_THE_ESTHETICIAN

YOU LITERALLY CANNOT SHRINK YOUR PORES! 

I’m so sorry. I’m sure that’s the worst thing you’ve heard all day; but it’s the hard truth. That’s why you’re here right? YOU WANT ANSWERS. YOU WANT INFO.

Well you’re going to get it, simmer down friends. 

Alright, so unfortunately pore size is actually genetic. So you can thank your parents for what you have going on. Your pores control the oil in your skin. I know most of us wish that they were non existent BUT thank your lucky stars that they’re not completely shut because you’d be so insanely dry you would be cracking. One of the perks of being oily is that you are going to age so much more gracefully than someone who has a dry skin type, so whenever you’re mad at your face for looking dewy as hell; think about that! Self love.

So, while we can’t actually shrink the size of our pores, we can make them appear smaller. MAGIC. Here are some tips I live by:

-exfoliate your skin 1-2 times a week (don’t over do it, you’ll dry your skin out)

-chemical peels are so great hallelujah 

-primers with SPF

-never ever ever ever sleep with your make up on. I will find you; And I will lecture you. 

-cleanse your face daily 

-do not touch/pick at your face. You’re just bringing bacteria into your pores 

-SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN 

ok let’s get really scientific. 

Free radicals are unstable reactive molecules that damage our skin cells. UV rays & pollution are stressors to these free radicals. They break down collagen and elastin amongst other things. When your skin lacks collagen and elastin it becomes less tight WHICH MAKES YOUR PORES APPEAR LARGER!! So by wearing sunscreen you are protecting your skin from damage AND making your pores appear smaller. Is your mind blown right now? No? Just me? Ok moving on. 

-use a retinoid cream to boost cell turnover

-clay masks are great if you’re oily

-glycolic acid is a key ingredient gets rid of dead skin cells and helps your skin absorb oil

-lactic acid is also a great ingredient, it’s just a little bit weaker than the glycolic acid

-water based products > oil based 

That’s a ton of information, let it sink in. I really hope that helps you guys! Thank for you reading and letting my inner skin nerd come out to play. Keep checking into Tan’s blog, I might be here awhile ;)

Motherhood: Expectation Vs. Reality

Lately I have been feeling the need to tap into all of my creative outlets. I don't know what planet is in retrograde but I can't seem to shake the need to read, write, draw, sing, braid, color, create. This post is currently (hopefully) going to fulfill the incessant feeling inside of me telling me to write. What better to write about than the most insanely life changing experience that has happened to me to date?

1. Timing

I always knew that I wanted to be a mother. It's one of those things that I could just sense from a young age, I could feel it in my bones that it was already a part of my identity, and until I became a mother I just felt like I was waiting around for something that was... missing. I thought that I didn't want any kids until I was at least 30 years old, had done all of the things on my bucket list and was completely, 100% ready.
 Little did I know that timing would be the first thing that surprised me about motherhood.
When I first met Blake I was just about to turn 21, and getting pregnant was easily the worst thing that I could imagine happening to me at the time. Alas, time is something that ceases to amaze me. By the time the wedding came, we had both grown up so much- I feel like we grew into different people. We started "trying" right away, and by February we found out I was pregnant. I wanted so badly (at the time) to be pregnant right away.
I constantly look back and thank God that it didn't happen any earlier than it did, or any later as a matter of fact. Even just a few months before getting pregnant we still had so much growth and learning to do as a couple. Any later, and I feel like I would have chickened out, gotten into trouble, or been too set in my ways. God has a way of knowing when we are ready: what we need and when we need it. I needed my Dean right when God gave him to me.

2. My life isn't over.

I know that sounds dramatic, but part of what scared me the most about motherhood was the idea that once I had a child, my own life would come to a stop. According to so many women that I talked to, I  supposedly would no longer care about hair, makeup, travel, fashion, home decor. I would say goodbye to my sex life, my body, buying things for myself, and all of my super far-fetched dreams.  I know that all sounds extreme but we as women truly do grow up believing (for the most part) that when we have a child we sacrifice everything else. And the worst part is, we glorify it. We are praised for saying things like "well, that doesn't happen any more" or "everything changes." I am not ashamed to say that I still care just as much about my appearance, my wardrobe, my hobbies, spending time with my friends, and my outrageous goals as I did before Dean was born. If anything, I care about them more! I want him to see a mother who is fulfilled, loves herself, and is her own person. If he sees his mother going after what she wants most and living her best life, what's to stop him from living his life the same way and hopefully finding a wife who takes care of herself and is just as motivated? If we stop our lives for our kids they are going to think the world revolves around them, and that it setting them up for failure because it certainly does not. Self love and individuality is so, so healthy.

3. How fast it goes by.

I know this shouldn't have been a surprise because on a regular basis everyone and their mother says "They grow up so fast!" But, it's true. They do grow up. SO. FAST.
It is still such a trip to me how I can close my eyes and picture Dean's littol newborn hands and feet and tiny littol body in my arms as I'm sitting in the rocking chair crying postpartum happy tears all over him. It felt so permanent in the moment. The entire newborn stage felt so incredibly permanent. Even pregnancy felt so permanent. I had a baby and he would be my baby forever. I gave birth to a baby and I would have a baby for a long time, or so I thought. I genuinely feel like I blinked and I have a 9 month old. This concept gives me a panic attack when I think about it because I know some day he will be my big giant 18 year old baby but it also is a comforting thought.
If everything goes by fast, so do the hard times. The nights that he was waking up every 2 hours went by fast, looking back. The days that he was crying from teething went by fast. Even the days where I was recovering postpartum went by in the blink of an eye. I wish I would have known that the hard times didn't have to feel permanent either.

4. Less anxiety.

For the most part, my anxiety has lessened tremendously since baby boy got here. I just... I feel like he is so great and amazing and such a blessing that all of the minute shit doesn't matter any more. I used to worry about the most insignificant little crap that genuinely doesn't phase me now. Don't get me wrong, I have my days and I have my triggers but for the most part I don't sweat the small stuff like I used to. I have bigger problems, bigger things to worry about. I don't have the time or energy to worry about insignificant details or opinions like I used to. It's beautiful, really.

There are so many details that were surprising to me, but I'll save that for another post. Baby products, pregnancy shockers, postpartum surprises, anything like that I can go into if you guys would like! I feel like there is so much that happens during the ride that's motherhood that isn't discussed and I am an OPEN BOOK.

As always, thank you for reading.
Like, from the bottom of my heart. If you have ever complimented my blog or instagram or hair posts or whatever, thank you. It genuinely makes my heart happy that someone even takes the time out of their day to click on this link and read these words. I'm awkward and bad at showing it but it genuinely makes my day.

lovelovelove,
Tanner

30 Days and 10 Pounds Down

Okay, everyone.
I'm having a hard time starting this because this is 100% out of my comfort zone, but at the same time I'm so happy and proud of my progress that I feel like I owe it to myself to show you all and hopefully help some people struggling the way that I was struggling.

At the end of this post I added an interview with @renewed.roslyn, who I buy all of my Arbonne products from and who encouraged me to go on this journey. Her page is so inspiring, and I know she is happy to answer any questions that you guys have for her. Also, as a disclaimer: I do not sell Arbonne. Not because I don't believe in it- I 100% do, I just think it is best for me while writing a blog and working with different brands/companies/etc. to stay an unbiased third party. I'm just here to try everything and tell you guys what I think. I promise you this: I will never be dishonest with you guys for personal gain. I thrive off of being honest, genuine, raw and real. I believe showing others our weaknesses is a fulfilling thing to do. So, that being said I know this is a long post but it is worth the read if you have ever struggled with weight loss, anxiety, or just needing a lifestyle change.

I am almost 9 months postpartum, and I am 10 lbs less than I was when I found out I was pregnant. When I found out I was pregnant I had been working out but I hadn't been eating the way I should on a regular basis. Throughout my pregnancy I gained 35 lbs, which is the max of the recommended weight gain. Within 2 weeks I had lost 30 of the 35 lbs, and by the end of the first month I was back to my pre pregnancy weight. Despite the weight loss, I felt like I wasn't at home in my body, and as time went on I actually felt worse rather than better.
"Shouldn't I be more toned than this?"
"Why can I still play with my stomach skin?"
"It's been 3 months, why do I look 3 months pregnant?"
I wish I had given myself more grace and realized that it takes a long time for your body to return to the way it was before, and that it wasn't totally my fault that I wasn't "bouncing back" like I wanted.

I've always been a pretty active person, and I genuinely love learning about nutrition and healthy eating. I've read so many books, listened to so many podcasts, and have been "successful" with several different types of eating/fitness lifestyles. The problem that I always found was this: my bad habits always won. I would always fall off the wagon eventually, and when I did I would go crazy and eat everything that I had been craving. I also work a lot, pretty late at night and fast food was a staple, even though I knew how bad it was for me. When I would get home I would have at least one glass of wine or a beer before bed.

This is why I was "skinny fat." Now, looking at my "before" pictures I am aware that I was not overweight. Also, in these before pictures I had already been working out for about 2 months already, so you can only imagine the squishiness before I started working out LOL. Let me tell you, I was not comfortable in my own skin. I was not consistently healthy, I was always lethargic, had brain fog constantly and had a lot of mood swings. Enter my friend, Roslyn Aguiar.

I met Roslyn years ago through my sister and she became my client, and eventually a good friend. A few months ago I saw that she was advertising that she was selling Arbonne. As happy as I was for her, honestly I very much had a "don't want to hear it" attitude about it. Sorry, Ros! When she came in for her hair appointment a month or two later, YOU GUYS. I did a double take. Not only was she glowing and looking happier than I had seen her in a while, but I saw it in her face immediately that she had lost weight. I instantly had to hear everything and by the time she left her appointment I had ordered my first bag of protein.

This is how it all began. Not only did I start supplementing 2 meals a day with the Arbonne protein, but she told me that she had signed up at Blueprint, a new boxing studio in downtown Tulare. They had just opened two weeks prior, and she had great things to say about it so I went and signed up for it within the next few days. I will never forget how much of a funk I had been in the week that I signed up with Blueprint. My anxiety and mood swings were so bad that I was desperate to find anything to make me calm and content. I still remember driving home after my first class with the music blaring, calling Blake and telling him that this was the best I had felt in the longest time. I felt so relieved. I've been hooked ever since. I think the reason I have followed through and continue to crave my workouts is because of the mental therapy it gives me. It's not about getting skinny any more- that's why I would always quit. When I didn't see results I would give up. I keep going to class every week and keep seeing results because my anxiety is the best it's ever been and I need to punch the shit out of something every morning LOL.

So, for 2 months I was happily going to my boxing classes, toning up, feeling better, but I still wasn't losing weight. I enjoyed the shakes but I wasn't being consistent. Roslyn kept offering the 30 Days to Healthy Living as a suggestion, and I finally took her up on it. I cannot express how grateful I am. It took a lot of mental preparation, self control, and discipline but I am now 130 lbs, the lightest I've been in 5 years. I have been perpetually stuck between 137-145 for 5 years.

For 30 days I supplemented 2 meals a day with Arbonne protein shakes- see my "What I Eat in a Day" post here for details. I ate no dairy, no gluten, no vinegar other than ACV, no coffee, and no alcohol other than red wine. I can count on one hand the amount of times that I broke these rules. The purpose of these rules is to keep your body in an alkaline state, which we function best in. Pretty much every day I had a pre/probiotic supplement, fiber, detox tea, and fizzy sticks (Arbonne's coffee supplement).

The past 30 days have been so hard but so easy at the same time. Hard, because they required resisting bad habits that I've had most of my life, and easy because I felt so amazing in comparison to when I started that I didn't want to ruin it on a temporary craving or impulse. I know I will never go back to the way I was before. Will I eat dairy again? Sure. Will I eat gluten again? Of course. Will I drink coffee? ABSOLUTELY. Will these things be part of my daily routine again? Absolutely not. You guys, I am finally becoming the version of myself that I've always wanted to be. I have the energy to keep up with my son. I have the energy to work out, go to work, come home, cook dinner, relax, clean, and happily start all over again the next day. I am happy to do these things. That is the difference.

I'm not saying this will work for everyone, but it worked for me! I'm positive that I will never go back, I love my new lifestyle. It sounds cheesy, but I don't care LOL. Instead of calling this a "Before and After" I will call it a progress update, because I'm not done. I would still like to loose a bit more weight and get even stronger!  

Roslyn's Before & After

Interview

 Q: What about Arbonne surprised you initially?

A: The fact that I felt the change in my body within literally 4-5 days, I wasn't expecting that! Also, day 2-3 I was actually nauseous because my body was detoxing itself and I've never experienced that before! It wasn't what I was expecting. I honestly have done multiple things like this before but this program was much simpler because I had someone telling me what to do/ what to eat! I'm the type of person that has to have step by step instructions or I will most likely fail unfortunately LOL!

Q: If you had to choose one aspect of your new lifestyle that made the biggest difference, what would it be?

A: Ok... that's like super hard because 90% of my life is different now LOL so I'll give you like 2! Reading about everything I buy food- wise! Like labels and ingredients, it's amazing the stuff I thought was decent but is actually super toxic. Also when I cheat for a day or so I can jump back on to being healthy super easily now like I actually miss my shakes and eating right!

Q: What advice would you give to your "old" self or to anyone who is stuck in a rut?

A: Honestly my big thing I ALWAYS say is pray about it, and if that's not for you... this is going to sound super cheesy and obvious but surround yourself with positive people and people that want to see you succeed. I've learned we are the sum of the top 5 people we hang out with. Which means if you're around nay sayers you're most likely not going to be confident in what you're doing and likely to give up. I, personally, pretty much shut myself off from the world for 2 months because I knew I wasn't going to be able to handle the going out with everyone. They would have said "Oh, it's just one drink" or "OMG, it's just one piece of bread." Which, for me, it was always more like 3 drinks and 10 pieces of bread. That's why when you do our 30 day challenge we have a private Facebook group that is filled with others doing it with you! People are so uplifting and positive on the page, I feel like it really helped me through it and I wasn't doing it alone which is huge!

Q: What product from Arbonne would you recommend for people to try first? Where should they start?

A: ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS recommend the digestion plus! I take two a day religiously! It is a pre/probiotic with live digestion enzymes! Gut health is SO important, this heals the gut pretty quickly and also helps with heartburn! We call it our "muffin- top eraser."
Side note: If my stomach every hurts or I just feel off, I take one and I feel so much better in minutes most of the time!
But I also always recommend biting the bullet and doing the full 30 day detox because that's where you're going to get the best results! This program isn't for people that just want to loose weight! It has dropped people's A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol. It's just overall a complete makeover that our insides need!

Thank you for reading, you guys!
Any questions you have for either of us we would be happy to answer!

lovelovelove,
Tanner