Thursday, July 26, 2012

FollowFish: Laws of Modern Man

I have recently been following the Laws of Modern Man on tumblr. Although it seems to be slightly geared more towards men (hence...the name), there are a lot of posts and wisdoms that are true for anybody. Some of them are funny, and some are serious, but everybody needs a bit of inspiration every now and then. I think this just might help.



http://lawsofmodernman.tumblr.com/

Check it out
-B


P.S.  

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

AdventureFish: Take a Hike

This past weekend, my younger sister came to visit me in western Massachusetts and we had a fantastic time! On Saturday, we were feeling adventurous and decided to go on a hike. Thankfully, western Massachusetts has an abundance of hiking trails, mountain ranges and the like. We narrowed our options down to a few spots but ultimately chose to try out Pocumtuck Ridge, which extends from South Sugarloaf mountain in Deerfield to Rocky Mountain in Greenfield. The Ridge is about 15 miles of north-south trails which cross each other at points, making it very easy to navigate!

After spending Friday in New York City (shopping, eating, etc.), it was refreshing to spend Saturday completely immersed in nature. We only saw one other human being the whole time we were on the trail, and it was a man on his bike. There's something about being in the wilderness that puts my mind right at ease. Any troubles I had seemed distant and trivial and even the whole rest of the day I was a much happier person.

The trip took a couple hours, and we hiked about 7.5 miles in all. Great workout...especially the uphill sections that made the downhill sections so much sweeter. So...go do the research, pack some essentials, and get out in nature!

My sister's killer legs on the trail


-B

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

HealthyFish: Unplug

Watch this:
  
It is easy to lose yourself in a world where everybody is constantly connected and on-the-go. I often find myself scrambling for any reason to update my Facebook status, or racking my brain for a witty Twitter post so I can fill my quota of at least one purposeless update per hour. This is obviously a gross over-exaggeration for me, but is unfortunately not for some of my "friends".

Some people are like spam, and I thank Mark Zuckerberg every day for the option to "block" people from my News Feed. No, I don't need to know what toothpaste you recently switched to. No, I don't need to know what you made for dinner tonight. No, I don't need to give my opinion on a new bikini to the girl I only know from my freshman dorm. By the way, it looked horrible.

Beyond social media, our biggest issue is also our constant connection to others via our phones. It is like an addiction. If I had a penny for every time I got a "???" text because I did not respond within ten minutes after I was asked a question....well let's just say I could afford a new car.

This need for immediacy and being connected is like an itch. You just cannot resist scratching it. But here's my challenge: don't scratch it.

Sometimes I have days when I want to chuck my laptop/iPhone/iPad/tablet, and even my TV, out the window. Today was one of those days for me - I felt like I just could not keep up with all of the commotion. Instead, I went for a calmer alternative and "unplugged" - I turned my phone off for an hour and took a much-needed nap. I woke up calmer and less overwhelmed.

Think about this: what's really going to happen if you don't respond to that text within the next three seconds...? Even if you don't "unplug" today, express some self-control and try waiting ten minutes before you look at that text again, you might see it in a different light.

Things you could do instead:
- Read a physical book or newspaper
- Take a nap
- Go on a jog or a bike ride
- Grab coffee with a friend or neighbor
- People-watch at a local park
- Play a board game
- Re-organize your fridge, pantry, closet, desk
- Try yoga or meditate
- Cook a big dinner
- Paint your nails
- Write a letter (snail-mail) to a family member or loved one

And the list goes on...

I think that it is healthy to "unplug" from all of our technology devices every once in a while, if not on a regular basis. Yes, it's challenging, but try it some time.

-B

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

WorkFish

Only a few more hours of work left in the day. Treat yourself to a tea to keep trucking.



-A

Friday, July 13, 2012

BeautyFish: Sensitive Skin Regimen

To stick with the theme...
 
Having sensitive skin can be a real hassle to accommodate when it comes to a daily skincare routine. Things like scented lotions, harsh exfoliants, and products that just have too many chemicals are a big no-no. It has taken a lot of trial-and-error over the years, but I have been happy with these "safe" products - no breakouts, dryness, redness, swelling, rashes, itchiness, hives...ok, you get it.

In the shower:
Face Wash: I have been using Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleaner as a face wash. Just like it says, it is very gentle. Being fragrance-free is very important, and it does a great job of washing off all the daily dirt and grime.
If my face feels extra dirty or if I feel a break-out coming on, I use Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. This stuff is a classic, and my sister and I have used it forever. Although I do not use it every day because my skin will dry out, it is gentle enough that it does not irritate my skin when I do.

Body Wash: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash is very moisturizing and leaves my skin soft and squeaky clean.

Shaving Cream: I have never had any big problems with shaving cream, as long as it is not too fragrant. Skintimate for Dry Skin and for Sensitive Skin (not pictured) are great.


Post-shower:
Face lotion: Simple is a brand that has around the UK for a while but only recently came to the US and it's about time. They are very highly rated and all of their products are made specifically FOR sensitive skin.
 
Body lotion: My skin is naturally very dry, so I LOVE Cetaphil lotion. It does not make my skin greasy, and I put it on my entire body (even my face if I don't have a face lotion) after every shower. I have been using it since my mom was buying lotion for me (ca. 1990). Although not pictured, Cerave is another great brand and very similar to Cetaphil.

Problem spots: every highly allergic, sensitive-skinned girl needs to have Cortizone handy.


Tip: I have found that it is usually not enough if it only says "Dermatologist Recommended". I suggest checking for other key words such as: "fragrance free", "gentle", "for dry skin", and the obvious one - "for sensitive skin". If a product has both phrases, then you know you're good to go.

- B
(side note: I apologize for the pictures, I have horrible lighting in my new bathroom)

Thursday, July 12, 2012

BeautyFish: Products We Love

I must admit that I am a sucker for advertisements. I love trying new products that I see on television or beauty magazines. Bryn and I are CVS's number one customers (we even know some of the employees on a first name basis) because we are there at least once a week seeking out the newest items. My new favorite obsession, although its been around for sometime, is Clear Scalp and Hair shampoo and conditioner. I have a decent amount of hair but it is somewhat damaged from all the blow drying, straightening, and coloring I torture it with. I am very particular with the shampoo I use because I feel like most products dry my hair out even more. While I love me some Fekkai, this is a great alternative and easier on the wallet.  Alas, finally a product that I can see visible differences.

First, my hair is significantly smoother, from the root to the tips. Even when I brush it right out of the shower, it is barely tangled. I love this product not only because it smells great (kind of reminds me of Herbal Essence), but it does not leave my hair feeling heavy or greasy. I have only tried the Damage and Color Repair edition, but I am sure that the other types are just as good. This is a great product, and it doesn't hurt that Heidi Klum is the spokeswoman for it.

Pick some up today and let us know what you think of it.

-A

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

SmartyFish: The Emergency Bag

I am an organization freak, and I love containers. In high school, our friend Amanda and I would take trips to White Plains specifically to visit The Container Store...not the giant mall nextdoor.

A little while ago I realized that there were many specific items that I constantly carry with me - items that I either use on a daily basis or always want to have in case of an emergency. They were always hidden in the abyss of my purse/school bag, rolling around in my car, or even shoved in all of my coat pockets.

At first I used a Ziploc Freezer-size bag just to put them in one place, but that obviously did not last long. I recently found this bag at Design Solutions (in New Canaan) and could not be happier with it! I am keeping this in the glove compartment of car for now, but I can bring it with me when I go into work, throw it in an overnight bag or school bag, or even keep it in my purse because it is not very big...you never know when you'll need it!

Contents:
Advil // tampons // rollerball perfume // KrazyGlue // hand sanitizer // 
safety pins // hair ties, hair clips, bobby pins // WetOnes wipes // 
pack of gum // floss // chapstick // Benadryl (I am allergic to the world)

To explain the Ambu PocketMask - I was an EMT in high school, 
and ever since then I have always carried one of these with me. 
You never know when you might need to do CPR.

Cheers to organization!
-B

HealthyFish: Gluten-Free Snacking

A few years ago, I spoke with my aunt, who is gluten-intolerant, about some of the symptoms I have when I eat specific foods. She felt that I might have the same problem that she does, so I visited my doctor. Sure enough, I have a gluten intolerance!

Now, if you know me, you know that I am allergic to absolutely everything (in elementary school, I had to sit at a separate table to only kids who were allergic to peanuts....socially traumatizing to a little kid!). So it shouldn't come as a shock that I was adding one more thing to the list of foods I can't eat.

The transition has been an on-going struggle for me. It was hard enough to eat foods that were decently healthy in college, let alone avoiding all foods with wheat, rye, and barley. No late night pizza, no beer, no pasta, etc. However, not all gluten-free foods are created equal. A lot of them taste like cardboard. Luckily for you, I have found a few trusted brands that I always keep in my pantry. Below are my favorite staples for when I'm craving a little snack (both found at Whole Foods)...

  
left: Glutino sesame pretzel rings // right: Aleia's oatmeal and golden raisin cookies
Enjoy!
-B

MusicFish

Both Bryn and I are absolute music fans. Our iTunes account combined holds over 10,000 songs. We are constantly searching and downloading new music daily, from country to pop to 90's classics. SoundOwl is currently my fave place to listen and download the newest songs. I must admit that my favorite genre of music is hip hop, and has been since I was young. I recently found this Drake cover  by Jon Bellion (sounds very familiar to Timeflies Tuesday) and I must say that it has constantly been on repeat. While it is not as gangsta as my normal taste prefers, it is very relaxing for a mainstream rap song. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Drake - The Motto (Jon Bellion Cover)

Instagram picture of Drake's album on record from Urban Outfitters

-A

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

A+B

As two unemployed college graduates and long term best friends attempt to find a fitting career path, what a better way to waste time than start a blog to benefit others? Our objective is to provide you with our thoughts regarding fashion, beauty, health, art, travel and all our other daily musings while attempting to stride away from being "just another blog."



-A+B