10 Minutes to Ballet Beautiful

Here are some basic ballet moves for your Monday afternoon workout.  Feel free to repeat the video twice!

10 Minute Ballerina Beauty, Long Legs, Tight Booty Workout by Tiffany Rothe

(For some reason, the video below can't be embedded, however, I do encourage you to click the link and do the workout for yourself!)

If you prefer to do Tiffany's moves to different music--like me--you might want to play these:





Or, search YouTube for "ballet hip hop music/songs"... 'Seemed like a nice fit!

DIY facials for lackluster skin

Source: Flickr (user ballantynehotel)

Noticing your complexion looking rather dull and devoid of its usual healthy glow?  Stress takes a toll in many different ways, but it often wreaks havoc on our precious epidermal layers.

Here are two easily-made-at-home facials to refresh and revive your skin (whether you suffer from acne, redness, or just need a refresher) via Mathilde Thomas (founder of the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa in New York City) for Fashionista.com.

Acne Facial:
1. Start with a hot, steamy shower and use your regular cleanser to clean the face.  The steam will soften skin and open the pores so that the skin will be more receptive to the active ingredients.

2. Start with warmed green tea bags and swipe them over the entire face, doing several passes and focusing on trouble areas.  This will have a similar effect to an anti-bacterial toner.

3. Then, crush up an aspirin (which is an anti-inflammatory) and mix with an calming essential oil (like eucalyptus or sage) and apply/spot treat on the site of the acne.  Leave on for 15 minutes.  While using an oil with acne may seem counter-intuitive, an essential oil acts much differently from our notion of “oil.”  Because the molecules are so small, they’re able to penetrate much more deeply into the skin and whatever is applied on top of it (in this case the aspirin) is able to be delivered farther down into the skin.

4. Finish with a cold wash cloth over the face to sooth the and calm the skin.

Redness Facial:
This one is deceptively simple, but works like a charm!

1. Chill (over ice) a glass of full fat milk–the “full fat” is key.

2. Then, use two wash cloths and dip them in the milk.  Lying down, drape one on the bottom half of the face and one on the top half (leaving room for your nose).   Let sit on the face for 15 minutes.

10 minutes of core moves

Here are some basic, but intense core Pilates moves for today's workout.  Be prepared to sweat it out!

Healthy body, healthy mind

Rachel Bilson is a whole lot of cuteness and hilarity in one petite woman!  Here is a quote from her recent feature in Women's Health Magazine.

On maintaining a healthy lifestyle:
“I’m not the kind to go to the gym. Yoga is a great way to relax and get your body toned.  You should enjoy food and enjoy life.  Healthiness stems from being happy.”

Source

Happy December to you!  Get out there and enjoy your wintery weekend!