5 Cool Instagram Accounts

Some people get lost in a pinterest hole, lose hours playing Candy Crush games, stay awake browsing Facebook. But where I really lose time is on Instagram. Doesn't take much to click on the search and then it's an hour later and I've ended up laughing five times and can do my eyebrows in three new ways! Here's 5 pretty cool Instagram pages that help me waste my life in a lovely way.

@spartanrace

Because being strong and active is rad! Inspirational and motivational.

@bestvines

Because LAUGHING.

@Sarcasm_only

Because more laughing.

@acrowithjon

Strength and activity. But in a whole different way. Soft and beautiful - yet powerful and challenging.

@ezrajeffrey

Because photography is cool. And so is local. #yeg

Top 5 Tips For Wavy Hair

I have wavy hair and when I was younger it was so hard to figure out how to style it without it getting frizzy. There was a lot of flat ironing and straightening which did not help my hair at all. I feel I have finally mastered by hair and the most exciting part is it's a lazy girls dream. You sleep on it damp overnight and wake up with amazing waves. 

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1. Don't comb your hair after you get out of the shower, comb it while you are still in there so you don't wreck your curls.

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2. When applying conditioner don't apply it to your roots, apply it mid shaft down.

3. Use a T-Shirt to dry your hair don't use a towel, use a cotton t-shirt instead to prevent frizz.

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4.  Mix your favourite hair oil with your mousse when you scrunch it through your hair. Check out my favourites LaCoupe Mousse and Kérastase. 

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5. If you don't want to sleep on wet hair you can use a diffuser to dry your hair or air dry your hair. For me if I air dry my hair I have to tie it up into a bun so that it doesn't get frizzy. My preference is to sleep on it when it is damp, it's low maintenance and your curls look great when you wake up. #Iwokeuplikethis :)

What products do you love? Do you have any tips or tricks that we should try?

OOTD - White Skirt

The hot trend every summer is the cool appeal of all white outfits. I am a complete mess when it comes to wearing white as I tend to spill things/get pen on myself ruining most white outfits. I picked this skirt because of lacy holes detail while back. It sat in my closet for a long time but I decided to take a chance and pair it with a fun top and wear it to work. I managed not to ruin the skit, which is a bonus but the shirt did suffer some pen marks.

skirt: Marshalls

shirt: Reitmans

shoes: Bamboo Ballroom

purse: Kate Spade

3 Things My Daughter Has Taught Me

It seems like ancient history that my daughter was walking around with nothing but a diaper and speaking some mutilated form of English that babies use - now that she's 18, it's hard to remember her any way but an adult. Let's not put too much weight on the word adult there, since 18 in Alberta really only gives you the right to drink and vote. They are still children for the most part.

There are so many things we can learn from our children if we are paying enough attention. Spending a little more time watching them discover and a little less time trying to raise the perfect child can be eye opening and teach us so much. I'm guilty of doing just those things as a parent, but we can always start doing better with each new day. 

After a little reminiscing and a few reminders from some friends, here's 3 things I've learned from my daughter.

Leave the nonsense behind!  I recall dreading Jr High to start for my daughter because of all the drama that goes along with teenage girls. They can be mean, catty, vindictive, and all around awful little humans. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with how my daughter was able to deal with all of that. When she came home, she didn't talk about or dwell on any of the negative nonsense that happened at school that day. She just dropped it and focussed on whatever made her happy. It was a conscious decision so she could be happy - and something we should all apply in our lives. Work, school, sports, dates - if the negativity can be left behind, even for the evening - DO IT.

Do not hold a grudge! This one is kind of relates to the last one. If you can let the little stuff go, you can also let the big stuff go. Holding grudges can be such a waste of time and energy. I would watch this kid - her friend would pick a fight and swear to never talk to her again. 2 weeks later they are friends again. When I'd ask her why she bothers to be friends again, she'd say "because we all have bad days but we can still be friends and move on". Even when she didn't allow people back in her life, she didn't hang onto any anger or resentment. She just let it go. What an amazing quality to have.

Laugh. OFTEN. Truth be told, I don't know if she got this from me or if I got it from her. But the amount of laughter - unbridled, belly aching, tears flowing, hysterical laughter that's been shared with my daughter is immeasurable. It's not just with me that she laughs. It's with everyone. She finds humor in everything. But she also shares that joy too. Hard to keep a grouchy demeanor or scowly face when someone is breaking down in fits of laughter in front of you. To laugh, find joy, share joy, and happiness is a gift. It's a gift we can give to ourselves and can share with others.  My daughter has shown me that time and again.

OOTD - Babydoll Dress

When I stumbled upon this dress at Army and Navy, I was immediately smitten by the girly silhouette, but still casual enough. A baby doll dress is essential in every girl’s wardrobe. This dress is made out of a very light denim material and it's perfect for summer. I love the flowy silhouette and the baby doll style and can see myself wearing it a lot in the future. I paired it with trainers and a hat for day at the beach.

Dress: Army and Navy

shoes; Adidas via DSW

hat: Sole Society

purse: Rebecca Minkoff

Top 5 TV Shows

The following five shows have been mentioned to me by multiple people as shows I have to watch. So I am passing on the information, because sharing means caring! Check out the shows and let us know if everyone was right.

 

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Claws

 

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Ozark

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Sinner

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Defenders

 

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Weekend Update

 

Which of these shows do you love? Which shows do you think should have made the list?

OOTD - Blush Floral Wrapdress

The weather has been all over the place and I have been so busy at my 9 to5 that I have been opting for one piece outfits that allow me to get ready quicker but are still cute and comfortable. I just love a good wrap dress and you cannot go wrong with a blush tone flower print dress. I love this dress because it's so girly and flowy, giving it a relaxed and comfortable vibe all while being flattering to nearly any body figure. I originally wore this dress to a wedding and since have worn it few times with flats and a straw hat making it more causal.

dress: Ricki's

purse: Simons

sunglasses: Clearly

Ultimate Summer Playlist aka 10 Song Played on Repat All Summer

Do you guys feel that Summer started like last week?  Where did all this time go?? Even though, Summer might be coming to an end faster that I'd like it, doesn't mean you we cant still make the most of it. Music is one the reasons I get 90% of the things done. Here are 10 songs I have had on repeat this summer:

 

1. Mi Gente - J Balvin & Willy Williams

 

2. La Gozadera - Gente De Zona feat. Marc Anthony

 

3.Black Beatles - Rae Sremmurd feat. Gucci Mane

 

4.New Man - Ed Sheeran

 

5. Buscando Huellas - Major Lazer

 

6. Slide - Calvin Harris feat. Frank Ocean & Migos

 

7. Wild Thoughts - DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller

 

8. Feels - Calvin Harris feat. Pharell Williams & Katy Perry

9. Despacito - Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee

10. Top Model - Sha

 

What songs are you guys listening to?

OOTD - Nine to Five

I have a very hard time working in the Summer months. I suffer from major FOMO; anyone else experience this? Since I work in a fairly strict corporate world, its hard to find a balance between wearing pretty dresses and not freezing at work with AC on full blast. I layered one of my super casual dresses with a long vest for a day at the office. How do you dress up your casual items?

dress; H&M

vest: Simons

shoes: Aldo

belt: H&M

Race Ready with RuckPack!

If you follow me on Instagram you that Amy and I just rand our second Spartan couple of weeks ago. I am not the most active person; some would say I am lazy, so I needed all the help I could get.  I got an opportunity to try Ruckpack  Energy and Focus Shots, which I used during training for Spartan and I loved the fact that is made from natural ingredients that are safe and effective. Ruckpack is a nutritional supplement made in the form of an energy drink that was created by American Marines Special Forces that were operating in Afghanistan.  Robert Dyer, who is an active duty marine’s corps officer, developed the energy drink that is a nutritional supplement and is ideal for ideal for training.

In order to get Spartan Race ready I used RuckPack product to help me get there. The active ingredients work synergistically to promote core nutrition, razor sharp focus, instant energy and prolonged stamina. Combat, sports, work, or kids - whatever your daily battle is - RuckPack will help keep you in the fight!

Some of you might read this and be skeptical about the product - sounds great but how true is it?  Most of us have tried different shots prior to no avail but Ruckpack worked well and it lasted for at least 5 hours before I noticed any sign of wearing off. My mind was clearer and more focused and able to power through the race, beating out time from previous year by 24 minutes!

RuckPack is Combat Nutrition. For Every Battle. Today you can try it at 20% off use code BB132 at checkout.

 

Have you tried it?

 

 

 

This post was sponsored by RuckPack and BrandBacker. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for supporting brands that support LetterstoLALAland.

 

 

 

OOTD - Midi Wrap Dress

My comfort is somewhere between black and blush, with few neutrals thrown in between. My sister made a comment that we both dress in "shades" more than color, which is true. This flower print wrap midi dress has been sitting in my closet since last summer. I decided to wear it on Sunday for brunch and it has potential to be one of those sleek, simple dresses that can be as easily dressed up or dressed down for a casual day at the beach with comfy slides. 

dress: Marshalls

shoes: Spring

Add These Books to Your Summer Reading List, ASAP

I don’t know about you, but our little Letters to LALA land team gets so busy during the summer. Here at summers are packed with vacations, concerts, and events. You know days and week when you can barely have time to eat breakfast in the morning, let alone sit down and read. However, for the day you do, you should these three books:

Few people have recommending this book to me, so I picked it up to read during lunch. I liked its so much that I couldn't put it down. Hannah returns home from a business trip to the flat she shares with her boyfriend, Matt, near Liverpool — and he's gone. Erased. Sounds interesting? Right?

Love this book, and highly recommend it. One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger... and if you think you know what the end bring, you might be surprised.

I think I read this book in two days. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you won't put it down until you're done

What books are you reading this summer?