We Like Pretty: Workout Clothes

It's a scientific fact that if you wear cute workout clothes you will in turn hit the gym harder and more often. Scientific FACT. They did a big study on it at..Harvard...yeah....Harvard. Okay, maaaaaybe it's not so scientific, but I certainly feel that way.

 

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XOXO, Mason

We Like Pretty: Skin (Part One)

I’m known to shop the bargain bin, to rock a dollar shirt, and flock to red tag sales. But one thing I don’t skimp on is skin care. It’s an investment, yes. But it’s your body’s biggest organ after all! One that is going to be around for the the next 70-80 years (fingers crossed), which is more than you can say about any article of clothing.

For me, skin care is a three step process: origination, maintenance, and presentation. Using big words makes me feel like a grown up, grin and bear it. I’ll break each of these down over the next three days to reduce the desire for dormancy. Improving your skincare regimen in even one area can help you see drastic improvements!

Now, let’s roll up our sleeves. If you don’t have sleeves, congrats. You probably live in a place that continually hits above 70. Quit bragging.

Origination

Being an amateur health nut, I believe great skin care starts from the inside. Fueling your body well, with lots of water, fruits and veggies (high in antioxidants), and plenty of sleep are all important steps to getting the skin of your dreams.

Nutrition 101: My Second Bible

“‘Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to aging, are the manifestations of your body’s internal needs, including its nutritional needs,’ says Dr. Georgiana Donadio, founder of the National Institute of Whole Health.”

Although I love eating healthy, I hate the concept of “diets.” We are all unique human beings, in chemical and genetic composition. How can there be a one-size-fits all diet plan? When it comes to nutrition, everyone should consult a professional. And by professional, I do not mean a self-help book! It should be a physician or nutritionist you trust, with years of experience, who can recognize your dietary needs and help you find an eating regimen that makes you feel healthy, happy, and NOT deprived. Dessert should be in all our lives! Chocolate especially.

Supplements are another great way to ensure your body gets all the vitamins & minerals it needs to be healthy and give you gorgeous skin. Below are some of the skincare supplements in my medicine cabinet, but consuming them naturally, via yummy foods is always best. Remember, you should always consult a doctor before taking any medication.

Vitamin A - Although Vitamin A is often recommended for ocular health, its dermatology benefits are also incredible. Its’ retinoic acid helps maintain healthy skin by maturing epidermal cells, essentially repairing your complexion. Lack of Vitamin A can lead to dry, flakey skin. You can consume Vitamin A naturally by munching on carrots, collard greens, kale, sweet potatoes, and spinach.

Vitamin C – Vitamin C is your scrappy best friend, with boxing gloves in hand, and always ready to battle for your good health. Not only is it a natural antihistamine and immunity booster, but Vitamin C is an antioxidant that slows down free radical damage. Free radicals are those pesky, unstable molecules that do their best to damage our collagen levels and leave us with dry skin, wrinkles, and fine lines. So nice of them, right? Consume Vitamin C naturally by drinking orange juice, eating red and green bell peppers, guava, kale, parsley, turnips, and broccoli.

Vitamin E - Possibly the most famous Vitamin associated with epidermal skincare. Vitamin E is one of the most powerful antioxidants that, like Vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals and prevent cellular damage from occurring. Vitamin E also helps reduce the harmful effects of sun exposure on the skin and coupled with Vitamin A, is said to be effective at preventing certain skin cancers. Consume it naturally by eating almonds, spinach, peaches, prunes, tomatoes, asparagus, and my favorite magical veggie…. AVOCADOS.

Your most important tool in the fight for great skin is knowledge! Educate yourself on foods, vitamins, and minerals that can help you see the improvements you want. See a dermatologist and learn about your unique skin type; are your sensitive, acne-prone, do you have combination skin, etc? Are your needs severe enough to require prescription medication? A dermatologist can help.

And never forget to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Water will always be your skin’s best friend. Well, that and sleep.

As with everything in life, cut yourself some slack. Don’t expect perfection. We’re human and everyone struggles with flaws once in awhile. I promise, we can be imperfect together.

Now go love your skin. That’s an order.

XOXO, Lyds

We Like Pretty: Lingerie

What I wouldn't give to have a drawer full of these pretties. Lacey, soft, and delicate. Pretty and feminine. You'd never have to worry about getting caught in a pair of holey grannie panties. Oh, the shame.

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XOXO, Mason

We Like Pretty: Phone Cases

Another example as to why I'm a 5 year old. I want this. I need this. A pink whale phone case! Come on--it's adoooorable. Get it here. 

XOXO, Mason

Esther

 

Is it just me or does it seem like we're missing out on all of the cool stores here in the states?  I'm always finding the most amazing tops and dresses online from stores oversees than I do here at my local Nordstrom. Like Australian brand company, Esther. Uhhh, I die. All of their stuff is stupid fantastic.

What are some of your favorite stores that we are desperately missing out on?

XOXO, Mason

We Like Pretty: Robes

Okay, I know this is really weird but I like everything in my bathroom to match. The towels, shower curtain, bathmat, beauty products and even my robe. If they are going to be out--they have to be in the same color scheme. If not--right into a drawer they go. It's weird, I know. Thankfully, I stumbled across Plum Pretty Sugar and my matching woes were put to bed. 

Aren't they pretty? Light, airy and so feminine. I feel fancy as shit when I get ready in the morning now. They don't just have robes though--they also have dresses, skirts and cute pajamas! Swoon.

XOXO, Mason

We Like Pretty: Hair Products

 Pretty hair products that actually work? Can I get an amen? Halleluiah? 

 I'll just put it out there-- Kevin Murphy is the ish. His shampoos, conditioners and styling products all smell amazing, look fantastic and work hard.  My favorite is the Easy Rider Anti Frizz Creme. It's perfect for taming flyaways, especially my bangs that always seem to march to the beat of their own drum. But seriously, all of his stuff is on point. 

 Alterna is another one of my favorite brands. Their Caviar Repair Instant Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner does wonders for my super coarse hair that has been abused by heat and bleach. But the pièce de résistance is definitely their Caviar Repair RX Micro-Bead Fill & Fix Treatment Masque. It's packed with a ton of protein that really helps repair damaged hair like mine. The protein is kept in small little beads that "pop" under warm water and coat your hair. Seriously amazeballs. 

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XOXO, Mason

We Like Pretty: Bedding

Over a lifetime, the average person will spend 227,468 hours tucked up in bed and sound asleep. Mine is probably twice that. I would have majored in sleeping in college if it was offered. So, if a good chunk of our lives in spent in bed, why not make it a little piece of heaven?  I want to feel like I'm sleeping on a god damn marshmallow. I don't think that's too much to ask. 

Now, my main piece is a mixture of frat boy douche and mountain man. I mean that in the best way possible. You know, he digs shooting shit while rocking the spiked hair and a polo shirt.  If he had his way, we'd probably have red flannel Paul Bunyan sheets, Bambi mounted about the bed and the blood of our enemies slathered on the walls. So, I'm compromising. Kinda. No pink. No floral. Instead...white...with "manly" accents. 

Like this zinc dresser from Restoration Hardware. Very industrial and "manly", right?

I hope so, because I'm gonna need a little ruffle on my bedding.  Seriously, I need it. I'm convinced it's gonna make me a nicer and much sweeter person. Wait for it.   

XOXO, Mason

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It's officially 5 o'clock.

Lae to the trend: Bubble Necklaces

J.Crew has some pretty cool jewelry. They also have some pretty EXPENSIVE jewelry. Some of their pieces will run you about $150 bucks for something that is trendy and will go out of style fairly quickly.  Hence why I never bought one. Till now. 

At $13.99 I could afford to jump on the bubble necklace trend. Late or not. Check it, here.

XOXO, Mason

We Like Pretty: Necklaces

Soft and delicate...everything I'm not. But they don't make "abrasive"jewelry, so I'm making do. And how can you not be in love with everything that Gorjana & Griffin turn out? I want all three of these. Now, please. If you order today, you can get 20% off with code: EARLYBIRD20
XOXO, Mason

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These are a few of my favorite things: Perfume

Smelling like a baby prostitute is a specialty of mine. If that's your goal too--here are a few of my favorite scents. 

Issey Miyake l'eau d'issey is excellent for summer. It's light and floral and makes you want to run through fields of flowers. If you're into that kind of thing. 

D&G 3 L'IMPERATRICE is the newest addition in my scent arsenal. I get so many compliments on it.  People are always grabbing my shoulders, shaking me and asking, "WHAT ARE YOU WEARING!?" I just want to douse myself in it and call it a day.

Marc Jacobs is my main man. If you love Gardenias half as much as I do, you'll want to go out and grab 12 bottles. It's that good. 

I've been wearing Michael since college. It's a little heavy, but still freaking amazing. People used to tell me that they'd smell it years later and think of me. That might not be a good thing--but whatever. If you want to baby prostitute it up--jump on board the Michael Kors train. Woo woo. 

I love to wear Jo Malone's Orange Blossom and  Nectarine Blossom/Honey together and alone. I'm obsessed with them. The matching lotions and candles are equally bomb. I want my whole house to smell like oranges and nectarines. I wish they made a Jo Malone car air freshener. They should jump on that.

And last but not least is Chloe. I originally picked it up because I'm a sucker for the packaging. It could have smelled like poop for all I cared. Thankfully, it did not. It's a blend of Pink Peony, Freesia, Lychee, Magnolia Flower, and pure awesomeness. 

XOXO,

Mason

Three Things for Thursday

Thursdays are always a tease for me. If Thursdays were a man at a bar, they'd be extremely attractive, flirt with you all night long, lean in for a kiss, then break it to you that they're married. But the upside is Friday is tomorrow. And you KNOW Friday puts out on the first date.

Here are three things that are getting me through this Thursday.

The original was great and all. But she hits some grand slam shit with this cover.

 

Other songs to help pull you through:

J. Cole ft. Amber Coffman - She Knows
Jay-Z - F*ckwithmeyouknowigotit
Baauer - Dum Dum
Kanye West - Blood on the Leaves
Sbtrkt ft. Little Dragon - Wildfire 
Maroon 5 - Love Somebody (Viceroy Remix): 

Free download by liking their page on Facebook

My Diesel "Franchise" Bracelet Watch. 

I am obsessed with men's watches. I get more compliments on this watch than I do anything else. Probably because they're trying to lull me into a sense of false safety before they rob me of it. My conclusion? Size matters.

It's above 70 degrees in Seattle which makes everything better - especially my marathon training. It also means I can sit in my parent's gorgeous backyard, eat fresh pea pods from the garden, and write this post.

                                         

Suck it Thursday. I didn't want to go home with you anyway.

--Lyds

Red, White and Wasted.

Lies. I was pretty sober all day. But I like to pretend. Hope your 4th was fantastical! 

XOXO, Mason

I'm five.

In some ways, I am very much a "grown-up". I pay my bills. I've got a job. I've got responsibilities, yo!  But bubbling right below the surface..is a small child. She's about 5 or so. She has temper tantrums when she doesn't get her own way, has an affinity for all things pink and has a mean sweet tooth. Hence the gumball machine in my living room. Don't judge. 

XOXO, Mason

Want. Need. Must Have: Kate Spade Gym Bag

I need a gym bag. Wait, let me rephrase. I WANT a gym bag. Now, if I wasn't such a hoity toity, stuck up b*tch, I'd use some bag I already owned. Or a plastic grocery bag. But no. I want a gym bag. A cute one. I want THIS gym bag. Technically, it's a "weekend bag" but my ass never travels. 

Look at it. It's practically begging to have my sweaty gym clothes up inside it. Such a tease. But since I'm on this "I gotta save money so I'm not living out of my car when I'm 50" kick--$280 is a bit steep. This is where having a sugar daddy would come in handy. (Cough. Cough. Hint. Hint.)

XOXO, Mason

I'm A Baller on a Budget

When it came to beauty products, I used to be of the mindset that if it was expensive--it must be the best.  I didn't bat at an eye at foundation that cost $60 or face wash that cost $35. But thankfully, I've seen the light. There are just as fantastic of products out there that will do the trick and not cost an arm and a leg. Take the Boots No 7 line at Target. It's cute. It smells good. And my skin has never looked better. Holla. I'm gonna become a penny pincher if it kills me.  

XOXO, 
Mason

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My City's Filthy

My city's filthy. My city can kick your city's ass. Sparkly blue water? Check. Magestic mountain view. Double check. Lush greenery? Check and Check. Its' days like today that make me happy to be a Seattleite.

 

XOXO, Mason