Dre Does Quick Tips for Looking Pulled Together in a Flash

Happy Monday friends! I'm back with more quick tips, except this week they're centered around how to look like you've spent more time getting ready than you really have. Whether your alarm doesn't go off, you hit snooze a few too many times, or plans change and have to be somewhere quickly, these are my tips on how to look pulled together in a pinch. 

1. Practice a makeup routine that's extremely quick and get good at it. This way you can repeat it quickly when you're in a hurry. For me it's foundation, concealer, and blush. I have my go-to products that always work for my skin and a neutral blush that matches everything. 

2. Find a bright lipstick that looks really good on you and get used to wearing it. I have my go-to red lipstick that I always keep in my purse. The key idea in these tips is to bring the focus to areas that you can amp up in a rush. Lips are huge for this because they bring the focus to your lip color which in the world of makeup are much quicker to apply than doing a dramatic smokey eye. So remember, bright lips = instant glam. 

3. Buy a pair of statement stud earrings. Earrings are such an easy and quick way to change your look. My go-to pair are neutral huge flowers so I can wear them with any outfit but they still pack a punch. Pair these with the bright lips and you will surely have brought the focus away from any areas you didn't have time to glam up. 

4. Go in your closet and find an outfit that makes you feel great. It's no secret to us women how amazing a good outfit can make you feel. So always have one on standby in your closet that you know will always fit right and make you look your best. This way no matter how rushed you are, you will have that guaranteed boost of confidence from knowing you already like your outfit. This ones huge and I always make sure to have a few ready incase I haven't done laundry but I recommend at least one! Whether it's a shirt in your favorite color or a dress that hugs your curves just right, you will look more pulled together in something you love.

5. Practice a hairstyle that's quick and easy like a sock bun. Having a go-to hairstyle is key when you're in a rush incase you don't have time to shower and re-do your hair. I personally love a good top knot or sock bun, but whatever works for your hair length and style, practice it! Your hair is key in making you look pulled together (unless you're one of those blessed people who can rock messy hair without looking like a homeless person...in which I say props to you!)

As you can tell, the general theme is to brainstorm and practice ideas beforehand and also use bright colors or statement pieces to bring the focus away from areas you don't have time to do in a rush. Do you have any tips for getting ready in a pinch? Leave a comment below and let me know what helps you!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Breathing Exercise

If you're like me you lead a pretty busy and fast paced life that can lead to crazy amounts of stress. Now sometimes we can sit down and take a look at everything we are doing to reduce the amount of stress we feel but more times than none, stress is unavoidable. For this reason, we need to focus our attention on managing the stress. Which brings me to today's post. Breathing exercises are one of the quickest ways to change our energy, anxiety, and stress level. Taking a few moments to calm ourselves and focus our attention differently can help you manage the stress you are feeling and turn your energy into something more productive. 

This leads me to today's post. I personally struggle with being able to turn my brain off when it's time for bed or focusing on something else. Even if I'm tired, my brain doesn't like to stop going over what needs to get done, what bills need to be paid, etc...so I can easily give myself way more anxiety than is necessary. 

If you find yourself having a similar problem I think you'll love this breathing technique I learned in school. You can either do it sitting in a chair or laying in bed. All you do is place your thumb and ring finger on each of your nostrils. This leaves your middle and index fingers to be placed in between your brows. Now use your ring finger to close one nostril and inhale deeply through only the nostril under your thumb. Before you exhale open the ring finger nostril and close the nostril under your thumb and exhale through the ring finger nostril. Now inhale again without changing anything, and before you exhale close the ring finger nostril and open the thumb nostril. Take about slow and deep 10 breaths this way, alternating which nostrils you leave open and closed. Depending on your lung strength you may need to start with only a few breaths so you don't get light headed, but you can work up to more breaths with time. 

This breathing technique is amazing for us overthinkers because it forces us to concentrate on opening and closing our nostrils (which sounds silly when written...haha) instead of worrying about tasks and problems. I love to do it before bed to relax myself, but if I ever find myself overthinking something during the day I'll take a 5 minute break and focus on my breathing.

Let me know if you try this and what you think about it! I'd like to start incorporating more stress management techniques into my blog so leave me a comment below if you like this idea or have any of your own! 

Have a beautiful and stress-free day,

Dre

Happy New Year!

As we wrap up 2013, I've been reflecting and deciding what I want for 2014. No matter what aspect of life that I'm contemplating it all comes back to two things; love and gratitude. These are things that I want not only for myself but for you.

I hope we take more time to appreciate the small things.

             ...talk less and listen more.

             ...take the time to show our gratitude to everyone, no matter how big or small. 

             ...are more spontaneous.

             ...take more leaps of faith on people, in our careers, but especially, on ourselves. 

             ...spend more time with those who matter and show them how much they do.

             ...worry less and trust that we are right where we need to be.

             ...have the courage to make changes when we need to.

             ...build each other up and support one another, instead of comparing and competing.

But most importantly, I hope we love more. Do everything with love and positivity and good things will come your way. Did you make any resolutions for 2014? Leave a comment below and let me know what you're working on! 

Have a beautiful New Year,

Dre

Dre Does Current Favorites

Here is a look at some of my favorites at the moment:

(Click to enlarge)

1. Snoods: these are the perfect no-fuss way to keep warm while still looking fashionable. Like an infinity scarf but smaller, snoods are circle scarves that stay right around your neck!

2. Cream sweaters: I'm not quite sure what it is but every winter I wear oversized and cozy cream sweaters like it's my job. Maybe I subconsciously wish I was a snow fairy.

3. Nivea lip butters: these are the only things curing and protecting my lips from the Michigan cold. They come in other flavors as well!

4. iPad Mini: I recently bought this on Thanksgiving due to a crazy good deal and while reluctant at first (I almost returned it because I never buy things on a whim), I couldn't be happier with it. While it's main purpose will be to house my makeup portfolio, it has helped in all aspects of my life; school, finances....blogging ;)

5. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes: best blushes I've ever tried. I repeat, best blushes I've ever tried! I bought this nifty little gift set pictured but I have others too and all of them are great. Wonderful pigmentation and they truly last all day. Tarte is an amazing brand.

6. Tea: Due to the cold and my very long work/school days, I've been getting ready for bed almost every night with Sleepytime tea. It's so calming at night :)

7. Sephora Collection Matte Lipsticks: the formula and the colors are to die for. I'm personally loving the deep brick red shades at the moment. They can turn you from boring to glam in 3 minutes. 

What are you loving right now? Leave me a comment and let me know :)

Have a beautiful day,

Dre