So I’m getting ready for my girls getaway to Vegas. I showed you my wardrobe preparation here. Now that my wardrobe is all figured out I need to get my beauty preparation taken care of. I will be in the sun and also in a bikini so the two obvious beauty musts are to be tan and waxed.

None of you need a lesson on bikini waxing I’m sure (and if you do go to an esthetician and you’ll learn real quick!)

But I do want to talk about tanning prep. I used to be the girl who before a sunny vacation would go to the tanning bed and get “a base.” Now years later not only is skin cancer a concern but so is staying young! I use sunscreen by the pool so a “base” is not at all necessary. The tanning beds are the worst!! In order to not blind everyone with my ghostly self  I use self tanner. The problem I had for a long time was finding a one that didn’t streak, didn’t smell and was the right color….it seemed like the impossible mission!! But then I discovered Beautisol which I told you about here.

I have since turned several of my friends on to this seriously amazing stuff. The wonderful ladies at Beautisol were also kind enough to send me their latest facial tanner to try. ‘Need I Glow More?’ is specifically for the face and formulated for your skin type. Since I tend to get shiny I opted for the Normal to Oily Skin formula. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. RUN don’t walk to get this stuff!! It’s so good you can even skip foundation in the warmer months if you wanted to!! You can get it on their website and they also air on HSN today at 3pm and 8pm so be sure to check them out and stock up (I just ordered 3 bottles!…obsessed much?)

The next beauty must is a mani/pedi. I used to be someone who always did it myself but after being spoiled by my bf treating me to getting my nails done all the time I am sort of hooked. (And yes, even from Iraq he does this. I know, I’m a lucky girl )

It’s Vegas so I decided to play with my normal French Mani and do something different. I decided I needed a little glitter in my life!

While a mani isn’t a necessity if you are spending most of the time by the pool, a pedi definitely is! My toes are a bright matte pink ‘You’re a Pisa Work’ by OPI. Do not go with sloppy toes ladies! It’s a crime!

Another thing I usually do myself is once a week facials. I have bottle upon bottle of masks, exfoliants and toners. Since going to that Ifabbo event I told you about here the Dermalogica facial gift certificate I got in the goody bag has been burning a hole in my pocket. This seemed like the perfect time to put it to use so who better to go with than my partner in crime Mel. We got the Microzone Treatments which are a 20 minute facial service (only $30!) designed to give you whatever you are needing in that moment. Mel got extraction while I opted for a deep exfoliation. I went home with samples of everything they used and made my next appointment!

Now I have never done this before but inspired by the magazine spreads with celebs baring it all, I figured I would show you my post facial skin sans makeup. Yes this is me, no makeup (except a little left over eyeliner). I feel naked. LOL

Now I’m waxed, tan, nails are done, skin is glowing, I am ready for a few days by the pool  Mohito’s in hand!

Ever since I got these cargos I’ve been living in them. They fit like a glove in the most comfortable way. It’s fun playing with what to pair them with. Here I kept a neutral palette with this light as a breeze linen jacket (which incidentally wrinkles so quickly!) when going to sushi with friends.

Notice the bag? That’s the same one I showed you I dyed here.

Jacket – Gift, T-shirt and shoes – Forever21, Cargos – Guess by Marciano, Bag – Hammitt Los Angeles, Necklace – Mandarin Manhattan Beach, Ring – H&M London, Silver bracelets – JLynn Jewelry, Jelly bracelets – Leilands Hermosa Beach}

Go to The Wear to go Girls Facebook page to see who won last weeks Look of the Week and submit your look for a chance to be featured!

Photos by Patti Anglin

Ok I know I promised a follow up to yesterdays post but the honest truth is I had internet issues last night. Rather than give you a sloppy thrown together post, I opted to continue with Fitness Tip Friday and to do the beauty prep post next week.

So lets talk motivation shall we?

One of the major reasons I have a job is because when someone has an appointment with me they know they will be forced to show up and workout. I hear time and time again “If I didn’t have this appointment I would never have worked out today!”

So what about everyone else who can’t afford a trainer? Or someone like me who IS a trainer? (believe it I am NOT blessed with skinny genes and despite being a bikini model AND a personal trainer, working out is NOT my favorite thing to do!) SO…how do we stay motivated? I put together a few little tricks I use that may help.

1.) Put together a heart pumping mix.

These days most everyone owns an Ipod. If you don’t you can get one very cheap on ebay. Music is a fantastic motivator and the right play list can really put you in the mood to move. Right now I am thoroughly enjoying JLo’s “On the Floor.” Especially on leg day.

2.) Post pictures.

One trick I use is when the Victoria Swimsuit catalog comes, I pull pics out and post them in random places…on the fridge, by my desk, and I actually have one inside the basket of my bike so when I’m out riding I pedal a little faster! Old photos of yourself in your best shape work too!

3.) Choose the right time to workout.

Some people are more energetic in the morning, some at night. Some have a tight work schedule and don’t have the luxury of choosing when they workout. Personally I prefer to workout in the morning to get it over with. By the end of the day I am exhausted and far more unmotivated. I certainly suck it up when I have to but I try to build a morning workout into my schedule whenever possible. You have to know yourself. If the weekdays are tight, workout on the weekends.

4.)Enlist a partner.

When something is social, it feels like less work. Make plans with a friend to run, walk, bike, hike or any heart pumping activity. This gives you accountability (you made plans) but also is much more fun.

5.) Do a non workout.

If you hate working out, you aren’t going to do it. Plain and simple. But there are other ways to burn calories: Join a sports team, go site seeing (park your car and walk), swim, ride your bike to do local errands, take the stairs, try Wii Fit etc. Get creative, think outside the box and most importantly BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!

Happy weekend!

PS. Today’s the last day to get in on this weeks look of the week. Go to The Wear to go Girls Facebook page and submit! We wanna see what you wore! (and of course where you went!)

It’s not often I get a girls getaway. Last year I traveled quite a bit due to my long distance relationship but this year since the bf is in Iraq (not exactly an ideal travel destination) I decided a girl’s getaway is just what the Dr. ordered! It had to be somewhere close since I don’t have a lot of time so…next week I am off to Vegas!! Now for the real fun! Wardrobe, beauty prep and travel planning!!

I decided to chronicle the planning to share the fun! Or maybe bore you to tears…hmm. I guess we’ll see!

Part 1:

WARDROBE!!

The first part of planning what to pack is figuring out the weather, activities and length of trip. First I went to weather.com and saw that Vegas is suppose to be 83 degrees. (um…pool time!!!)

We are going to be there for 3 days and 2 nights so I know I can pack pretty light. The activities are going to consist of lounging by the pool (drinking Mohito’s) going to dinner (drinking Mohito’s) and hitting the happening nightspot (probably having some more Mohito’s!) *note to self: pack Tylenol for hangover*

a.) Pool side:

The necessities are bikinis, cover up, hat, beach bag and cute sandals that slip on (no straps please!) I am a bit of a diva when it comes to wearing the same bikini everyday so I will probably pack 3

Why yes, I am aware my clothes are a wrinkled mess but I am packing them anyway!

What’s in my beach bag: SPF (duh) Magazines, a book and my ipod will also come along. Always better to have and not use than wish I had. A protein bar to keep my blood sugar steady, Purell is also key (those bathrooms are GROSS) and a wallet with my necessary items (ID, cash and CC)

b.) Dinners/bar hoping:

I decided to keep it simple with some fun dresses. After spending the day at the pool I want my night outfits to be effortless. Let’s be realistic, after drinking by the pool all day who wants to fuss with their outfit? Getting ready is hard enough! I chose fun accessories to keep things current and colorful for spring

Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2: the beauty prep!

PS. What are you wearing?? We wanna know!! Don’t forget to post your looks on The Wear to go Girls Facebook page. Tell us where you went for a chance to be our featured look of the week!!!

I was feeling in need of some inspiration and these pics seemed to do the trick

PS. We want to know what you wore!! Don’t forget to post your outfit of the day on The Wear to go Girls Facebook page! Tell us where you went and you may be chosen for the look of the week!! (plus you’ll seriously make us happy!)