Top Tips for Being Camera-Ready All the Time

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Krissyar

There are some things you can’t control when it comes to the photographs your in (or who sees them). Your friends post a selfie where they look the best, even if you might have your eyes crossed and food stuck in your teeth; maybe your hair was blowing in the wind, or you were rolling your eyes at their constant use of their selfie stick.

Either way being prepared and knowing what to do to always have a great looking photograph will not only help you keeps your friends, but you won’t have to worry about untagging yourself in all those not-so-flattering Facebook & Instagram post. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be sharing them yourself!

Posture Makes Perfect. Your Mother didn’t tell you to sit up straight for her benefit (Ok maybe kinda) making sure you don’t slouch and you keep your shoulders back gives you a classy look – no slobs here. Be sure to longate your neck, and tilt your chin just a little bit. Make sure the camera is above you and if you are doing a body-shot be sure to turn slightly and put your weight towards your back leg.

Lighting. Do your best to not take photos in direct sunlight or a flash too close to your face. You know how they say “all things will come to light” there’s a reason for that – the bright light will show every single thing about your face – every blemish you try to hide, every wrinkle you try to conceal. Not even the best make-up artist can put enough make-up on to hide these things if you are is direct bright light. Move into a shadow, soft light is more flattering for everyone. 

Make Up in a Pinch (literally). If you didn’t have time to put on make-up, or maybe your selfie-ing it up after a 5k, pinch those cheeks and give yourself some color. The washed out look is so not in (I don’t care what the magazines tell you). If you don’t have time to throw on some lip gloss a quick lick will suffice (though I don’t recommend it often, since licking your lips on the regular can actually cause dry lips). Squint your eyes a few times to make sure they are moist, and brush your eyelashes with your fingertips (checking for any eye-funk while your at it). Though it might not be a you-tube tutorial for a 30 minute make-up session, you’ll be grateful you took time to do these few things.

Smile. This is a 2 in 1 tip. So bear with me – first off I’m not sure why so many people have a problem smiling for a photo. With my Dad being a photographer I was a pro at the smile-rest-smile-rest face. I literally was on rest face all through 1-2 and… and the smile would appear on 3. If you try and smile the entire time you’re gonna end up making some kind of god awful face, maybe even a little Elvis Presley lip curl. Practice with me rest face- rest-face and SMILE. Trust me, I’ve been doing it for years and it works.

The second part that comes along with the the big bright smile is well, making sure it’s bright. Nothing is more unflattering than a big smile of some yellow teeth. Most of you know I am super anal about making sure my teeth are bright and white all the time. Though with the holidays I might of gotten a bit lax on my teeth whitening (the cold and snow, the lack of socialization, and of course the numerous cups of coffee) made my teeth well, not quite as pearly white as before.

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SO I decided to get back with the program – I was getting a bit in a funk so I knew I needed to get back to my routine. Crest 3D White Supreme Flexfit Whitestrips is what I always use to make sure my smile is always the brightest and best it can be. There is something about knowing you have a mouthful of beautiful teeth that makes you want to smile even more – and people notice. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients compliment me on my smile and ask me how I get my teeth so white.

BlackbirdThough it had only been a few months since I last used my whitestrips, it still made a noticeable difference to me, and those around me when I started using them again. For less than an hour a day, for two weeks you can have a whiter, brighter smile that everyone will be asking you about.

 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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Smart & Healthy Energy Boost

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Krissyar

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NeuEnergy for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are like me (and many other ‘new years resolutioners’) you’ve sworn off soda pop, sugar, and promised to work out several times a week. One issue with the first two is the lack of caffeine – you are used to that extra boost, and suddenly it’s gone..along with any motivation to make it to the gym! (at least it is for me!)

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While looking for some alternatives to a soda or sugar lift, I was introduced to NeuEnergy. NeuEnergy is a smarter energy choice, powered by the pterostillbene found in blueberries with a combination of caffeine. This healthy energy-rising combination was clinically tested to give sustained energy boost, mental clarity and focus longer than just caffeine alone. It has half the caffeine as an energy drink, with the same results and it is faster acting and longer lasting than usual caffeine ups and downs. Not to mention it’s zero calories and zero sugar – simple, healthy energy!

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I’m going to start taking NeuEnergy once a day for the next few weeks to see if I notice any changes in my energy level – so keep an eye out I’ll be posting about that soon. If you want to give NeuEnergy a try stop by your local Meijer (they have them stocked in the sports nutrition section at the pharmacy area) or you can order them online at Amazon.com, or GetNeuEnergy.com

While you’re at it, make sure to enter the NeuEnergy Instagram Selfie Contest!

How to Enter: Post a selfie on Instagram (like mine below) with the NeuEnergy Stick Container, mention @GetNeuEnergy and include the #GetNeuEnergy and #Contest hashtags
(winners will be voted by the public)

 

Bi-Weekly winners will have their choice between Prize Packs, which may include NeuEngery products, Bose Headphones and Fit Bits, Grand prize winners will receive a trip Disney World or Cabo San Lucas!! Contest runs from January 19 – March 16th (U.S. & Canada residents only, excluding Quebec)

contest details and rules

Visit Sponsors Site

Posted in Fitness/Health | 1 Comment

Italian Meatball Marinara

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Krissyar

In our house there is never a Italian dish that goes unfinished – of course pasta is the numero uno favorite and I love that there are so many ways to prepare and garnish it. One of my daughter’s favorite dishes is the meatball marinara spaghetti dish that I make. It’s made with Italian sausage and lots of herbs & spices. We serve it with  Bertolli Riserva Marinara sauce which is a perfect pairing over pasta.

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Here’s what you’ll need:

1 lb sweet Italian sausage
1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
3/4 cup breadcrumbs (you can use plain or Italian)
1 egg
olive oil
pasta of your choice
1 jar of Bertolli Riserva Marinara sauce
fresh Parmesan cheese (if desired)

Directions:

Mix sausage, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, and eggs in mixing bowl.

Heat a few tbsp of olive oil in a pan over medium heat

Go back to meat mixture and mix thoroughly, shaping them into  about 1 inch diameter balls

Place meatballs in hot oil and stir/flip continuously to cook throughout and to avoid them being burnt

meatball_Marinara

Cook for approximately 5 to 7 minutes

Remove from oil and pat excess oil off with paper towel.

Add Bertolli Riserva Marinara sauce and enjoy over pasta (top with parm cheese, if desired).

Be sure to visit Bertolli’s website for inspirational Italian dish ideas, as well as a coupon for this delicious marinara sauce (hurry, while supplies last!)

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Be sure to check out Bertolli on Facebook and Tumblr for new recipes, products and deals!

 

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8 Ways to Save on Car Insurance

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Krissyar

I won’t say that I’m an expert in all things insurance – but I’ve spent enough years in the business to be able to give some expert advice. My main objective in my job as an insurance agent is to help people get the right coverages for them (what they need) and try to save them money in the process.

The first thing, before I go into my tips for saving money on car insurance, is to let you know that cheaper isn’t always better – especially when it comes to insuring your assets. I would highly recommend you do your research on a no-name insurance company before buying into what they are selling. Generally speaking the “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is” rule does apply, though many companies can save you hundreds (and sometimes even thousands) on your policies with similar coverages. Just like anything else, make sure you are a smart consumer!

8 WAYS TO SAVE ON CAR INSURANCE

Find a Trusted Agent. I know the stereotypes that are out there about insurance agents – will sell you things you don’t need just to make a buck, pocketing your premiums living it up in the world while your struggling – I get it. But not all agents are like this; most, like me, are in this job to provide you with an education about insurance coverages, we make suggestions on what we think you should do based on our professional opinion, and then we leave it up to you to decide what you want. Most trusted agents will never be high pressure – yes we may have you sign forms stating that you agreed to certain coverages, or that you declined something that we recommended – that is for our protection, as well as yours. If you call or visit an agency for a quote and you don’t vibe with them, or feel that you trust they are being honest, then leave. An agent can be your biggest advocate during a hard time, or claims process.

Watch Your Credit. Besides a good driving record, a good credit rating is the second biggest rating factor in insurance rates. Believe it or not this does go hand in hand – actuary studies show that those with a lower credit score tend to turn in more claims then their counterparts. If you really want to get a good deal on car insurance, work on your credit!

Call Before You Buy a New Car. I cannot even tell you how many people who have been in completely shock, and utter disbelief over a premium on a vehicle they just purchased – you should never ever ever ever purchase a vehicle without first checking what the premium will be with your insurance agent. You may find a ‘cheap’ car that will cost you more in insurance premiums than if you would of purchased the more expensive vehicle. I have seen big SUV’s and trucks have lower premiums than a small sedan. When you call in let your agent know as many details as possible (having the VIN # is best) and what coverages you need. That way you can fit the car payment and insurance premium into your budget.

Go Paperless. I know a lot of people who prefer to have a paper bill each month, and mail it in with a paper check, in their paper envelope with a paper stamp (they are paper right?) anyway, not only does this cost you more, it cost the companies more as well. If you sign up for paperless billing and renewals, you can save quite a bit, usually up to 10% with most carriers.

Auto Payments. I know for some this can be a struggle – but setting up automatic payments can save you not only a billing fee for most companies, but also a set discounted amount as well. When insurance companies know they won’t have to chase you down for your payment before your policy cancels (Which cost the company even more) they will give you a discount for it. I know that having money coming out of your checking account can get scary, so use this tip: Set up a separate savings account for auto withdraw bills. Transfer money to that account to cover those bills, and then you don’t have to think about it. No worries if it’s came out yet when your trying to balance your checkbook, and no worries that it was ‘accidentally spent’.

Pay in Full. Believe it or not you can have a substantial discount for paying your insurance premiums in full. If you can afford it, I suggest that you have this set up. Most companies will send you a billing statement 20 days prior to the due date so you can prepare.

Sign Up for Safe Driver Monitoring. This was a debate in my Facebook feed a few days ago – “WELL THAT’S AN INVASION OF PRIVACY!”, or “I don’t want my insurance company knowing everywhere I go!” – I hate to break it to you, but if you have a smart phone, it knows a lot more about you than you realize. Since insurance companies are regulated by the state insurance departments we are very regulated on what we can and cannot access via these devices. Most do NOT include a GPS – they are literally just monitoring to give discounts – they are not allowed to use the data to increase your rates, though you may lose a discount for not being what they consider a ‘safe driver’. Some companies will give you up to 30%* based on your driving habits. Definitely worth a try – if you don’t like it, then remove it for your next policy period.

Kindly Ask. There’s an old saying that goes, “you get more bees with honey, than vinegar’ and this is true when it comes to dealing with anyone who works in customer service. If you always call ranting and raving and yelling about the rate increase to a rep – who by the way has no control or say over the rates whatsoever – they are not going to go the extra mile to help you. Be kind and ask if there is anything that you are missing because you really are just looking to save money so you can pay for Billy’s baseball glove, or Sally’s dance classes. Be real, be kind – it will take you far. Sometimes there are other companies or newer policies that might give you a better rate than the one you are in – and if you aren’t nice about it, we aren’t going to offer it up. It doesn’t hurt to ask, though we can’t always help you all the time, we will remember you. You will be one of the first we contact when we have a new way for you to save.

 

Posted in Money Matters, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

This is Your Year: Tips to Making Your Resolutions Stick

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Krissyar

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sam’s Club.

You set your sights to make the new year great with a fresh start; you gear up and make your new years resolutions, you buy all the ‘diet’ food, some fresh new work out clothes, you start dejunking your closet (and the rest of the house), you have a to do list planning your entire day, and even have a money jar for the 52 weeks to save challenge.

A week later as you are pigging out on the box of candy you got from your co-worker at Christmas (that you promised you were going to throw away) you look around and see your closet is still a mess, it’s 6 o’clock and you have no idea where your day went let alone actually get anything done on your to-do-list, and you emptied your jar of savings to order a pizza for dinner because you don’t feel like cooking.

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I have been there too, I know where you are coming from. Did you know that only about 8% of people that make resolutions for the new year actually keep them??

There are quite a few reasons that people seem to fail year after year – unrealistic expectations, giving up too easily, etc. So we are going to focus on how you can make your resolutions stick this year. It’s not hard, and anyone can do it. You just need to know what to do.

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Set Realistic Goals. World peace (or domination for some) is not something that is achievable in a year – sometimes maybe not even a lifetime. People tend to set unrealistic goals for themselves, and then get mad when they can’t make it happen. Instead of starting with “I’m going to clean my entire house” or “I’m going to lose 100 pounds” start with small monthly goals that you can achieve and ‘check off’ your list’. Start with “this month I will organize and clean the entire kitchen top to bottom” and “I will lose 7 pounds and cut out desserts most nights”. When you set smaller goals and are able to accomplish them faster, you start to believe in yourself and it helps you achieve your goals.

Put in the Time. If you think that you can continue to sit your butt on the couch and watch 12 seasons on Netflix every weekend – think again. You will have to re-adjust your schedule. You might have to get up earlier, or stay up later. You may have to miss happy hour with your co-workers, or going out to dinner with your girlfriends. To be successful you have to put in the time. Schedule it into your daily routine just like you would a doctor’s appointment, or a meeting at work. You can’t continue doing the same thing,  expecting different results!

Use the Buddy System. Putting in all the effort to clean and organize your pantry that really only you and your kids see (and appreciate) can sometimes be discouraging. Working out and eating healthy alone? ick. Get a work out buddy, an accountability partner and keep each other on track!

Invest Financially. One of the hardest – but most necessary – steps in sticking to your resolutions (and being successful) is investing in YOU. Being sure to buy what you need to be successful is key. One of the most important and costly resolution is working on weight loss/ or getting in shape. That’s why I visit Sam’s Club for all my fitness/weight loss needs. I can get what I need to make my goals at an affordable price – and all at one convenient location.

Since weight loss is on my list of resolutions this year, I’ve decided to hit the ground running and stock up on what I consider essentials for my success.

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Since I have to do a lot of my cardio work outs at home, a new improved treadmill is a necessity. Sam’s Club has a wide array of work out equipment, and you can order the ProForm Pro 2000 Treadmill online and have it delivered right to your home!

If you don’t have a fitness band yet – what are you waiting on? If you’ve never worn a FitBit before, you will be shocked to see just how little you get your body moving throughout the day. The FitBit Charge HR keep track of your activity during the day – and even while you sleep at night (this is really awesome for tracking sleeping patterns and how it relates to how you feel the next day!)

After much research I realized I needed to carb-load before I started my cardio workouts; it makes a huge impact on how you feel during and after your workout. Sam’s Club has great prices, and you can stock up for the month with the EAS Carb Ready-to-Drink shakes.

The other side of weight loss is staying healthy – making sure you take your vitamins, not getting sick and keeping the pain at bay so you can continue your workouts. That’s why I also make sure to stock up on Women’s Centrum Silver vitamins, Omega 3-6-9, EmergenC (I always seem to get sick after I’ve started working out for awhile – it’s my body working against itself) and of course, Advil liqui-gels (trust me, be sure to stock up on the Advil; it will help you get a better nights sleep as well!) all of which you can pick up (or order online) at Sam’s Club or Samsclub.com

If you are looking to stay track with your fitness/weight loss goals, be sure to join us for the #BetterYou Twitter Party taking place on Thursday, January 14 at 9:00 AM PST / 12:00 PM EST. for your chance to win some awesome prizes! 

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sam’s Club.

Posted in Fitness/Health | Leave a comment