Spring-Time-Ready Looks + JORD Giveaway

in ,

Is anyone else, but me, over winter yet? I'm trying to envision the leaves turning green again, the flowers blooming & the warmth of the sun. I. CAN'T. WAIT! 

With that said, I want to share with you all how I'm transitioning my wardrobe from winter to spring! I love being cozy and bundled up, but sometimes too much layers kill my vibe - I feel like a roly-poly sometimes with my thick, puffy coat on - ya feel me? So, I wanted to add more color to my wardrobe again by breaking out my lighter-weight scarves, jeans (and a colored one too), and booties! AND, what I consider would end up being my favorite spring time accessory, my new JORD Watch! 

Y'ALL - I have never had a unique watch like this one. This particular one is made from Zebrawood (read more about it here), which gives it a very one-of-a-kind look and it complements the emerald-green face extremely well (more about the watch here).

As most of you know, I am a medical student which means that I'm always wearing a watch (okay like 90% of the time). So I'm really excited to be able to add a timeless piece to my watch collection! 

 

Okay - back to these spring-time-ready looks. I love how the light-weight scarves can still add some "warmth-factor" since the temperatures are not as high as I'm hoping they'd be right now. Meanwhile, the colors add that pop of spring-time touch! As for tops, I tend to go with ones that are three-fourths sleeves or long-sleeve tops that I can also fold up. That way, I can have the option of rolling my sleeves up if it gets warmer or keep them down if it's chilly. Also, I love wearing colored jeans as another way of adding a pop of color for this transition time. Another fun way to transition the blush pink jeans I'm wearing is to pair it with a light gray sweater and a bootie, for another transition-to-spring look!
(Even just breaking out my trusty boyfriend jean is a great way to change it up & welcome the spring time). 
Lastly, booties are ESSENTIAL for transitioning from winter to spring. Sometimes it's not quite cold enough to wear those knee-high leather boots, so booties are the perfect alternative & will still keep your toesies warm ;) 


Now, for the exciting part - I've partnered with JORD to do a G I V E A W A Y. Yes you read that right! One lucky winner will win a $100 Gift Card to www.woodwatches.com! To those who don't win - fret not because you still get a $25off discount code once the contest ends - so really, it's a win-win! All you have to do is enter by clicking the link >>H E R E <<
(Giveaway ends March 5th @ 11:59PM CST!)

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy these looks that will hopefully prepare you to welcome the spring time :) Add some fun colors by throwing on a colorful scarf, colored jeans, booties, and don't forget your timepiece!

To shop JORD Watches:
Women's watch - https://www.woodwatches.com/shop/women/#lifeinthemedlane
Men's watch - https://www.woodwatches.com/shop/men/#lifeinthemedlane
My watch - https://www.woodwatches.com/series/reece/zebrawood-and-emerald/#lifeinthemedlane

Xo, Dorothy

 

*Disclosure: Thank you to JORD for sponsoring this post!

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Workout With Me Wednesdays

in ,

Okay ya'll, if you're getting on the "New Year, New Me" train just recently - IT'S NEVER TOO LATE! Today, I'm going to be posting a Back & Biceps work out. If you've read my previous post (click here), I talk about how exercising & eating healthy is a lifestyle. I don't go on diets (I really don't think they work), and I try to balance my schedule to be able to work out or get moving in some way. When it comes to working out, I try to focus on one to two muscle groups PLUS a little bit of cardio. Not gonna lie to ya'll, cardio is not my fave. If I do cardio, I try to do 30secs sprint + 30sec rest for about 15 mins on the treadmill, walk on an incline, OR jump roping, but that usually doesn't last as long TBH.

As with any workouts, it's important to switch things up so your muscles don't get used to the same exact thing, week after week. My typical schedule is as follows:

  • Mondays: Leg day (quad focused) 
  • Tuesdays: Chest + Tris
  • Wednesdays: Back + Bis
  • Thursday: Leg day (hamstring + glute focused)
  • Friday: Shoulders
  • Saturday + Sunday: Rest day or catching up if I missed a day during the week. 
     

Now, I said this is my typical schedule. I don't ALWAYS do the same order. In fact, I've been switching it up lately depending on my energy levels and just so my muscles don't get used to the same routine. Also, I want to mention that most of the workouts I do are more-so weight-lifting exercises. Keep in mind that most require free-weights, dumbbells and and some machines! Don't be intimidate to use those and if you do, make sure that you are using proper form (Safety First! If something does not feel right DONT DO IT - you can always switch things up; just my disclaimer). 

So today I want to share with you guys what I did for Back + Bi Day. FYI: I go to the good 'ol YouTube for lots of Fit-spirations such as: Whitney Simmons, Taylor Chamberlain, Christina Capron, and the like. So go check them out!) 

Warm-Up:
1. So cardio is tough for me cus I find it boring (cardi-no). BUT for that day, I decided to speed walk on the tread mill, with an incline. Do a speed + level that is comfortable yet challenging for you.
2. Stretch the arms and back (I like to do some light stretching, and leave the deeper stretches for after the work out.

Actual Workout:
- Bent-over rows with under hand grip
- Bent-over rows with over hand grip
DO 4 sets of 10. (These are super-sets and what that means is you do 10 reps of the first one, then 10 reps of the second one and that equals ONE SET. Now do it for 3 more times).
(PS: you can do these with dumbbells as opposed to a barbell.)

-Lat Pull Down Variation: do a lighter weight than you normally do and you will pull on one side first, then the other, and then both (as you would normally). That equals ONE rep. 
DO 3 sets of 8. (PS: I couldn't find a picture on the google but check out Whitney Simmon's YouTube vid here) 

-Seated Cable Rows: Use the narrow-grip attachment and once you pull, squeeze at the end (think like you're about to snap the pencil in half that's in between your back muscles haha!)
DO 4 sets of 10

-Alternating Bicep Curls with one arm that's stationary: For this exercise, you want to start out with one arm at your side (holding the dumbbell) out at an angle and bent elbows. The other arm will be doing the bicep curls (same angle in which you are hold the stationary arm), while the other is stationary. 
DO 3 sets of 8 reps (each arm)
(PS: the video shows the girl doing it at the same time: for this exercise you would one one arm at a time while the other is holding the dumbbell out)

-Hammer Curls: hold the dumbbells as you would normally and you will do a curl on both arms at the same time. 
DO 4 sets of 10 reps

Don't Forget: Take 1-2 minute break IN BETWEEN SETS! 

Cool Down: 
-Stretch: here I take more time doing deeper stretches for my arms, side body, and even legs. 
-Sometimes I get back on the treadmill for 5 more minutes and walk at an incline. 

There you have it! I hope this helps you & your work out routine ;) Whenever I take some time off, I try to do some yoga or just rest my body. It's always good to allow your body to rest + recover so don't forget that! Also, I have linked a visual for the exercises as well as the links to the YouTube Channels of the people I like to get fit-spirations from! 

What do you like to do for your workouts?


 

Shop Similar Style Workout Clothes: 

xo, Dorothy 

Slow-Down Sundays: Night-Time Skin Care Routine

in ,

Ahhh, Sundays. The day when we can all slow down before Monday comes and, well, slaps us in the face. So today, I'd like to share with you all my new goodies that will be a part of my night-time skin care routine! (And most of them will also be a part of my day-time routine too). All of these were purchased from The Detox Market . 

Previously, I was using Ursa Major's Fantastic Face Wash, and while I loved it I wanted to be able to purchase all my skincare and make-up needs from one place. So I decided to try out Indie Lee's Brightening Face Wash. I can't give a review just yet (should I do one in the near future?), but I know that I've been loving the Squalene Facial Oil, also by Indie Lee. 

Next up, I purchased the Odacite Black Cumin Cajeput + Peach Cypress Duo as a booster for the Indie Lee Squalene Facial Oil. I've used these two products from Odacite before & I love it! It helps keeps breakouts away. You can either add 1-2 drops to your favorite moisturizer OR use 3-4 drops as an intensive treatment. 

The last product is NOT a part of my night-time skin care routine, but it is a part of my make-up routine haha! It is my trusty Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation. I'll do a separate post on my current make-up routine later on! 

Lastly, here is what I do step-by-step:

  • Double-cleansing: I use this method to cleanse my face and to make sure that all traces of make up are gone. The first time around serves to take off make up, and the second time serves to get a deeper cleanse. That is why it's really important to me to find and use a face wash that won't dry me out.
  • Treatment: after the double-cleanse method, I use which ever treatment product I feel like my skin is needing. I use Kypris Moonlight Catalyst 2-3 times/week (this is used night time only). And on other nights, I use Kypris Clearing Serum (which I ran out of - So now I will be switching to the Odacite Products). I think it will make the process easier too because I will be able to just mix it in with the third step, which is moisturizer.
  • Moisturizer: I actually use an oil to moisturize. This may or may not surprise you because a lot of people think that using an oil product for an already oily or semi-oily skin will make it worse. That is actually NOT the case! I consider my skin as combination-oily (especially during the summer months), and I have found my skin to become more #balanced after switching to an oil as moisturizer. What you do have to be careful with is what TYPE of oil you use. If you have a skin type like mine, use lighter oils. This Indie Lee Squalene Oil is the perfect weight oil for my skin so I am lovin' it! 
  • Spot Treatment: If I have a TERRIBLE pimple (and trust me I get them), I spot-treat with Tea Tree Oil. I just use a q-tip and dab it on those spots.  

There you have it! I love having a night-time skin care routine because it helps me slow down and allow myself a form of self-care.

What is your night-time skin care routine? I'd love to know! 

xo, Dorothy

Shop my favorite skin care products at the link below ;)