The Perfect Playlists for All Your Cardio Needs

No matter how many fitness models I follow on Instagram I will never be motivated to go the gym. And I’m okay with that. (No, I’m not).

However, despite my extreme laziness towards the gym I do have a talent towards downloading “gym-appropriate” music. The one good thing about getting into EDM before everyone else did is having a huge (and I mean actually massive….it’s crashed my hard drive twice…..) music library of great songs that are perfect for all types of workouts.

I have outlined playlists for three cardio workouts in this post. I am focusing on these three workouts because when I do choose to go to the gym (LOL) they are the workouts that I usually like (force myself) to do. I thought about making a lifting playlist, but then I laughed at myself because I’ve probably lifted weights twice in my life.

Ughhhhh, typical girl.

Playlist #1 – Spin

Wasted (Ummet Ozcan Remix) – Tiesto
We Run The Night (Congorock Remix) – Havana Brown
Sleeping With A Friend (The Chainsmokers Remix) – Neon Trees
Play Hard (Maurizio Gubellini Remix) – David Guetta
I Need Your Alienz (Kastra Bootleg)
All By Myself – Dubvision
Intoxicated – Martin Solveig and GTA
Killin It (Chuckie Remix) – Krewella
Keep Up (Tony Arzadon Remix) – Hyper Crush
Runaway (Kaskade Remix) – Galantis
Bad – David Guetta and Showtek
Bitch Better Have My Money (R3hab Remix) – Rihanna

I refer to this as my “White Girls Go Gaga” playlist. Even though it isn’t necessarily geared towards women, every time I hear these songs I can’t help but picture a very intoxicated girl at the club throwing her hands in the air and yelling “OHMIGOD THIS IS MY SONG!!!!!” While simultaneously spilling her vodka cranberry on everyone around her. The drunkest ones always have to drink the cocktails that stain the worst……

This playlist is perfect for spinning, classes or individually. The fun lyrics and easy to follow melodies make for a very fun workout that also helps keep you distracted from the burning sensation in your legs. It’s a win win.

Playlist #2 – HIIT

Ping Pong (Hardwell Remix) – Armin van Buuren
Slapjack – Henry Fong and Reece Low
Crackin – Bassjackers
All You Joyenergizer – Sander van Doorn vs Kaskade
Zing – Bassjackers
Next Level Summer (Hardwell Mashup)
Guest List – Alvaro and Jetfire
Like That – Bassjackers
Make the Crowd Go – Alvaro
Dragonfly – Dash Berlin and Carta La Niña
Last Chance (Clockwork Remix) – Kaskade and Project 46
Secrets – Tiesto and KSHMR
Freaks (W&W Bigroom Edit) – Timmy Trumpet
DERP – Bassjackera and MAKJ
Come On – Gregori Klosman and Wahlstedt
Blame (R3hab Remix) – Calvin Harris
Back to Earth – Futuristic Polar Bears

This is my “Vegas Rat” playlist. Every time I hear these songs I imagine a crazy light show, confetti falling from the ceiling, and douchey bros fist pumping on top of tables. And I get a little concerned that those images comfort me instead of haunt my nightmares…..

This playlist is perfect for HIIT. The aggressive drops are perfect for intense sprinting and the melodic buildups and calming breaks are perfect for the jogging portion of this type of workout. The constantly changing BPMs of these songs is sure to help you keep the pace of a high intensity workout and keep you entertained about what is coming next. Plus, nothing can beat sprinting to a drop.

Playlist #3 – Jogging

Best Be Believing (Shadow Child Remix) – AlunaGeorge
Don’t (Don Diablo Remix) – Ed Sheeran
No Diggity – Favulous
Make Me Feel Better (Don Diablo Remix) – Alex Adair
My Love (Low Steppa Remix) – Route 94
Raindrops – SNBRN
21 Questions – SNBRN
Prelude – Michael Caltan
Okay – Shiba San
Kick Your Ass – Shiba San
Pushing On (Tchami Remix) – Oliver $ and Jimi Jules
Shades of Grey – Oliver Heldens and Shaun Frank
The Party – Joe Stone

I refer to this as my “House Head” playlist. It is the typical house sound that you expect, with a constant melody and bassline and subdued vocals, if there are any at all.

This playlist is perfect for keeping your focus while jogging. Since there are no breaks or intense drops you will never miss a step or want to go faster or slower than your pace allows.

I hope this post helped you get some ideas of songs to listen to during your next workout! Now if anyone could actually tell me how to motivate myself to go to the gym I would love you forever…..

I Used Men’s After Shave as a Primer…What?

Yes, you read the title of this blog post right. Shocking, I know.

However, I’ve been on the hunt for a new primer lately. For those of you without oily skin (I’m very jealous of you, but grass is always greener on the other side I suppose) primers are probably just an unnecessary extra expense for you. Something that comes in pretty packaging with a cutesy name like “Porefessional” or “Baby Face”.

I’ve tried pretty much every primer on the market, from drugstore to high-end, and none have ever really stood out to me. They’ve all worked, but they haven’t changed my life. And I expect any product that I spend money on to change my life at least a little bit. Because if it doesn’t why am I spending the money in the first place?

After digging through YouTube for a little bit I came across two videos featuring primer picking advice, one from Nikkie Tutorials and one from Jessica Harlow, that raved about the new it primer for people with oily skin…Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm. After a bit of research I knew I had to try it out. What do I have to lose?

Price

I picked this bad boy up for $5.99 with my Safeway card (half the price of even the cheapest primer you can buy at the drugstore so praise Jesus for that one. And we all know I like cheap things cause cheap things mean more vodka sodas and cheese fries)

Smell

Very “manly”. Musky and a little bit spicy. Which I like because it’s the closest contact I’ve had with a man in forever (lol, someone love me). The smell went away once applied to my face though. At least it did to me, I don’t know if I still smelled manly to other people and I really don’t care.

Consistency

Very thin and watery (ish). Much nicer and cleaner feeling than other primers I have used. It didn’t leave my face feeling like I was wearing a mask when I applied it, which is a problem I run into with a lot of other primers since they are loaded with parabens and chemicals. It felt very clean and natural, which I think is due to all the chamomile and Vitamin E in it. It felt tacky yet soft when applied to my skin, which was great for my foundation to adhere to.

My foundation glided nicely over this “primer”. Although not as smooth as Porefessional (the primer I was previously using), since that is meant to literally blur out your face through it’s thick consistency. I could feel my foundation sticking to the “primer” as soon as I applied it, which is comforting to me considering my oily skin problem. My blush and contour powder applied nicely as well.

Lunch Time

I made it a point not to oil blot all day, which was a struggle for me since oil blotting sheets are basically my heart and soul. I noticed a little bit of oxidizing between my eyebrows, but this always happens so it wasn’t a big deal. I was a little oily around my nose and on my chin, but again this is nothing I couldn’t handle. And my forehead wasn’t oily!!!!!!! This never happens. Like ever.

After Work

MY FACE LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE IT DID AT LUNCH!!!!!! No new oil and not that much of my foundation had oxidized or greased (sorry, I couldn’t think of a nicer adjective) off of my face. Usually most of my foundation is gone when 5PM rolls around and I’m just stuck looking like the homeless person who is seeking shelter in the cubicle at the back of the office. But not with this stuff!!!

Final Thoughts

Definitely buy this product if you have oily skin. I think it would even work for dry skin, since the actual purpose of this product is to smooth the skin after shaving and it’s full of calming ingredients like chamomile and Vitamin E. You cannot beat the price tag and it will last you forever since the bottle is pretty big.

The only con I have about this is the design of the bottle. I wish that it had a pump or came in a squeeze tube for easier application. And I wish it wasn’t made of glass. Lord know I drop things FAR too often.

I am going to go ahead and give this product a 9.5/10. It’s not getting a perfect score because of the bottle and because nothing deserves a 10 unless it gets rid of my oil forever (I’m waiting scientists…..)

Final Thoughts

Definitely buy this product if you have oily skin. I think it would even work for dry skin, since the actual purpose of this product is to smooth the skin after shaving. You cannot beat the price tag and it will last you forever since the bottle is pretty big. The only con I have about this is the make of the bottle. I wish that it had a pump or came in a squeeze tube. And I wish it wasn’t made of glass. Lord know I drop things FAR to often.

I am going to go ahead and give this product a 9.5/10. It’s not getting a perfect score because of the bottle and because nothing deserves a 10 unless it gets rid of my oil forever (I’m waiting scientists…..)

RBF Awareness

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the phrases “I thought you hated me when we first met” or “Why don’t you smile more often?” And I cannot tell you how many times I want to respond to these comments with an even ruder comment (yes, even though you’re trying to “help” I find these comments very insulting) or just slap the “helpful human” in the face (takes all my willpower to hold it back, I’m telling you).

Welcome to the world of a 20-something suffering from the phenomenon that we call Resting Bitch Face, or RBF for short. Not only do I suffer from RBF (confused how everyone doesn’t…) but I am also introverted and awkward. Basically the kiss of death.

If someone tells a regular person (and by regular I mean extroverted, since our society is so accustomed to only accepting this as the standard personality trait) with RBF that they “looked rude at first” or “should smile more” they can laugh it off. Make a joke about it. Show the other person that they’re not as mean as their face looks through witty banter, small talk, and genuine conversational skills. Maybe a friendship will bloom, maybe commonalities will be found. Either way, the other person will completely change their judgement about the extroverted “RBF sufferer” and develop a positive image of them in their minds.

That’s not exactly the case with me.

Because I am an introvert I get my energy from being alone, not mingling in a crowded room of people. I live inside my own head, so to speak. I would much rather observe people interacting than actually take place in this interaction. Due to my awkwardness I am hypercritical of myself in social situations. I am always worried about if I am saying the right things, acting in the right ways, and looking appropriate for the current situation.

This is why it is so irritating and frustrating when someone comments on the status of my face in a social setting. Do you not understand that I have been constantly thinking about how my face looks every second I have been standing in this room? Do you not understand that by uttering that seemingly “helpful” comment you just made it that much worse?

Probably not. Because, like I said earlier, most people are conditioned to believe that “normal” personality traits are bubbly, energetic, talkative, outgoing, and extroverted. Because I don’t fit into that mold it confuses people. And they have to comment about why it confuses them in the first place.

I get that people are trying to help when they say things like that. That they’re just conditioned to think about it that way. It’s just annoying that I have to make constant jokes about the state of my face before someone beats me to the punch, because I know they are (usually) going to say something if I don’t.

I know I’m not the only one out there that feels this way. So, next time you see someone who looks a little angry don’t ask them why they’re sad, don’t tell them to smile more, and don’t tell them they’re rude. Let them open up to you. If they have something to talk about, they will.

And since I don’t like too much serious, I will leave you with a picture of the RBF in its natural habitat.

Namaste.

My Lipgloss is Poppin’

According to Twitter, it’s National Lipstick Day. Praise da puckers.

I’ve been wearing lipstick since I was 6. And no, I wasn’t a baby prostitute, don’t worry. I’ve been a ballerina since the womb and had to wear it for my dance recitals and competitions. My first lipstick was a cherry red color from Wet N Wild and I’ve been in love ever since.

Since I’ve been wearing lipstick for a while I’ve had time to accumulate a long list of favorites. Also, because I’m a “bargain hunter” (the nice way to say cheap/saving money for cheese fries) I have developed a pretty detailed list of cheap dupes for my favorite expensive lipsticks.

Without further adieu, here is a list of some of my favorite lipsticks, along with their more affordable counterparts. They’re pretty much all MAC and NYX because I find them to have the best products. If there are any other brands I should try let me know 🙂

Kat Von D – Berlin ($20)

NYX – Ibiza ($6)

MAC – Blankety ($16)

Wet N Wild – Fergie Daily ($3)

MAC – Creme D’Nude ($16)

NYX – Mirage ($6)

MAC – Cyber ($16)

NYX – Transylvania ($6)

MAC – Lady Danger ($16)

NYX – Morocco ($6)

MAC – Velvet Teddy ($16)

Wet n Wild – Bare it All ($2)

Honestly, drugstore brands are really stepping up their games, especially in the lipstick category. Their staying power, finishes, and pigments are quickly approaching the quality of their more expensive counterparts (which is great for me cause less money spent on lipstick equals more money spent on cheese fries).

Look Good for Work & Have Enough Money Left Over For A Weekend Full of Vodka Sodas

About a month ago I became an actual member of society and secured myself a big girl job, a 9-5 working out of a beautiful cubicle.

Well. It could be beautiful if I decided to decorate it. But we all know how crafty I am.

Hint, the answer is not crafty at all.

The Monday thru Friday grind has definitely been an adjustment for me. The weekend no longer starts on Wednesdays and I have to try my hardest to quench my thirst on Thursdays.

Despite all that, I’m liking the rigid schedule of the corporate world and having to look forward for the weekend (we always want what we don’t have).

It’s giving my chaotic life the structure that it oh-so desperately needs and I think that I’ve found a pretty good work-life balance so far.

What I haven’t really found yet is the ability to save.

For some reason, I am convinced that I am an expert at saving, yet I am always left with too much month at the end of my money (aren’t we all? No? Just say we all are so I feel better).

The problem for me is that one of the main things that I love about the business casual job is the business casual attire, yet all of the pieces I tend to like are too expensive and all of the pieces that are affordable are poorly made.

I’m not trying to be the girl with the see through pencil skirt and uncomfortable heels waddling down the hallway at the office, thank you very much.

Thankfully, with some determination, lots of shopping, and the help of Momma Fern (God bless that woman) I was able to piece together a list of the top four pieces (I was going to do ten, but ain’t nobody got time to read all of that. And then I was going to do five, but I got lazy) that I believe are essential for every young, professional businesswoman to have in their closet as well as affordable places to buy their items.

Enjooooyyyyyyyy.

1) Pencil Skirts

Probably my favorite piece of business attire. You can pair them with pretty much any top and they look sophisticated in pretty much every color (unless you buy a crazy patterned neon one, but I hope none of you are dumb enough to think that’s appropriate).

You can even re-purpose them and take them from day to night. I’ve worn my favorite black pencil skirt to Vegas on more than one occasion and it’s still killing it.

My favorite affordable places to buy pencil skirts are Forever 21 and H&M. I’ve found that H&M’s skirts are usually a little better quality. They are made with a thicker material and easier to tuck shirts into (the bunching of the shirt isn’t seen through the skirt, if that makes sense). Forever 21’s skirts are usually softer and more compatible for day to night wear, since they are easier to move around in.

Faux Leather Paneled Skirt – $11.99

Pencil Skirt – $24.99

2) Blazers

The staple of any businesswoman’s wardrobe. If you don’t have at least a couple of blazers in your closet by the time you enter the corporate world, I don’t know what you’ve been doing with you life.

Blazers are the key ingredient to making an otherwise casual outfit office appropriate or taking a business outfit to the next level. Let’s be honest, you’re taken a lot more seriously when you’re wearing a blazer.

Contrary to popular belief, blazers don’t have to be black and boring. I love blazers that have decorative designs on them, such as fun buttons, cuffs, patterns and textures. I also like moving away from the basic black blazer and wearing other colors such as tan, navy, and gray….even yellow or blue can be appropriate if your office is a little more casual and you tone down the rest of your outfit.

My favorite place to buy affordable blazers is Forever 21 (if you know where to look this store is bae). Oddly enough, they are pretty good quality. The only unfortunate part is that you can’t wash them and they aren’t expensive enough to justify dry cleaning (at least for me anyway). I usually just wear them until they start to smell bad (my dirty secret is out….but thank you, Febreeze!) or the lining inside rips (I’ve bought 6 blazers from there so far and only one of them has ripped, so props to you Forever).

Tailored Woven Blazer – $24.80

Abstract Print Draped Blazer – $27.80

3) Flats

Because, let’s be honest, ya girl is not about to wear heels unless completely necessary. And even then it’s not enjoyable.

The permanent nerve damage in my feet (thanks recruitment!) doesn’t really allow me to wear heels so I only save them for special occasions, aka Vegas.

That being said, there are actually some pretty cute and affordable flats on the market. Yes, even ones that look decent on my chubby Fred Flinstone feet.

My favorite place to buy affordable flats is DSW. The have a lot of past seasons’ designs (which really aren’t that outdated because, let’s be honest, how innovative can you really get with flat designs) and this season’s designs at much lower prices than department stores. I also like that you don’t have to have a salesperson pull you different sizes every time you want to try on a new shoe, since I usually don’t like human interaction (LOL). It’s the INTJ in me…

Steve Madden Ibiza Flat – $39.95

Aldo Grumale Flat – $39.95

4) Statement Necklaces

Because although business clothes are cute, they can also be monotonous with the same professional color palate each and every day. I like to spice up my outfits with chunky gold and silver statement necklaces.

My favorite place for cheap necklaces is Forever 21 (are we sensing a pattern here?) and Nordstrom (from BP, usually). Both places are goldmines for statement necklaces that are appropriate for the office and a night out on the town.

And Forever 21 has oddly been improving their quality as of late. Last week, I was on a business trip in Houston and stopped into Forever to buy some necklaces. They were all made of really thick metal, had firm clasps, and didn’t feel flimsy at all. The only way that I could see them breaking in the future is if I literally ripped them off my neck (don’t tempt me after a night out though…)

Faux Gem Statement Necklace – $8.90

BP Statement Necklace – $24

Obviously, there are much more essentials you have to have in your wardrobe such as blouses, dress pants, a nice pair of heels, a nice bag, etc. etc. However, I don’t care enough about those pieces to write about them so why waste my time and yours.

Follow this guide of essentials (if you want to call it that) and you’ll have a stylish, business casual closet in no time…with enough money left in the bank to not have to eat ramen for the last week of the month (thankfully, I haven’t gotten to this point yet, but I’m almost there…..)

I’m like hey, wassup, hello.

Sooooo…..hi. I’m not very good at writing introductions. I find them to be awkward. In fact, I find most things to be awkward. But if you know me you already knew that. And if you don’t know me I am hiiiiighly concerned how you found this unknown blog in the first place. Cyberstalker. But also, teach me your skills. I’m curious.

The purpose of this blog is….I actually have no clue. Whatever comes to my mind, mostly. Probably a bunch of girly stuff that I actually care about way more than I let on. Posts about all the vacations I dream of taking as I solemnly sit at my cubicle tapping through Snapchat and daydreaming about these exotic locales my friends visit (I don’t do this often boss, I swear). Maybe some “advice” that I am nowhere near qualified to give, I just think I am because I read Thought Catalog sometimes when I’m bored. Some listicles (I’m lazy, they’re my favorite, and you love them too) about goals, aspirations, and meaningless, cheesy positive thoughts for when I’m feeling deep. Who really knows.

So stay tuned, it’s gonna be fun. Or maybe it won’t. I don’t really know.