Staying Active Through Two Big Holidays

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Michelob ULTRA. The opinions and text are all mine.

Everyone knows that when November rolls around, your workout regimen starts to slack... It gets cold, dark, and confusing. There are many feasts to look forward to... How many Friendsgivings did you have before actual Thanksgiving (or even after)? And then Christmas is right around the corner! A lot of people start making New Year's resolutions to START working out. DON'T be one of them!

It's great to have a workout resolution, but I want to share a few tips on how you can change your mindset to stay motivated all year round.

Exercise in the Mornings

I know everyone hates this. But I'm not asking you to make this a normal practice - just do it around the holidays! When you get those few extra days off from work, you probably can wake up a little later, travel, or begin prepping for the holidays. Why not take an extra 30 minutes to an hour to get to the gym, run outside, or bike? It will get your workout out of the way, and you'll have the rest of the day to do whatever you need! It's definitely a mental challenge, and I've had thoughts like,  "I'll do it in the afternoon or evening when I can find time." But doing it first thing in the morning will get rid of the dread of HAVING to fit a workout into your schedule.

Participate in Classes or Runs

Around this time is probably a great time to sign up for a free week of classes at local studios, or a trial of StudioHop or ClassPass! It will force you to get moving at a time when you want to slack the most. I know that Michelob ULTRA also has several runs a month throughout November and December, such as the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Half Marathons, and other sponsored races. Or if marathons aren't your thing (they definitely aren't mine), there are many 5Ks around and on Thanksgiving Day! I honestly didn't participate this year, but I ran around the neighborhood with my dog!

Be Anti-Resolution

Sometimes a "New Year, New Me" resolution does more harm than good. I've never liked that mindset. When I first got more serious about fitness, it was out of the blue, almost mid-April. I wanted to start a plan, and I did. It doesn't matter WHEN you start, as long as you start and then stick to it! So even though you have a new year's resolution to get fit, why not start now and see how far you can get? Consistency is key, not fad diets or workouts. A little bit every day is better than doing nothing until the right time comes along. Join Michelob ULTRA and me in being Anti-Resolution. You don't wait until January to get fit when you can Live ULTRA today.

Permanent Makeup: Tashi Brow Studio Review

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Tashi Brow Studio. The opinions and text are all mine.

In early June, I got my eyebrows tattooed... And I am in LOVE. But first, a little bit about this "permanent" makeup - it's actually not permanent but has to be labeled as such in the industry. It actually lasts 2 years depending on skin type, age, and environmental factors. 

Microblading vs Ombre Powder-Fill

I originally went in to Tashi Brow Studio for a microblading consultation. Seung is a very talented permanent makeup artist who attends conventions and classes to stay up-to-date with industry standards, so I trusted her completely. She told me that the ombre powder-fill technique would be better for my skin type and needs since I did not need the individual hair strokes that microblading creates. An ombre powder-fill simulates makeup rather than hair strokes. I always used Anastasia brow dip, and that's exactly the look it achieves. Of course, you can always combine the two techniques to get hair strokes + a filled in brow look if that's what you need!

After finding my undertone, taking photos to analyze my face shape, and determining my skin type, she booked me for 3 months later (yes, she's booked that long in advance)! 

Fast forward to June, and I was back in the office with Seung! From my very first meeting with Seung during the consultation, I felt confident that she would give me the look I wanted. She spent about 15 minutes measuring my face and eyebrows to draw on the perfect shape for me. I honestly did not give any input - she said she liked my natural shape and would follow along that outline. And then I was under the needle!

Before (with hair grown out) and after

The tattooing process took under 1.5 hours. The entire time, it felt like a razor that was rubbing against the grain (but not even THAT painful)! Compared to a body tattoo, it's probably a zero on a pain scale of 1 to 10, ha! We opted to not use numbing cream until she had to change the angle of the needle since numbing cream can impede the healing process.

In the end, I had perfectly shaped brows... seriously, they are exactly how I would normally fill them in (except cleaner), and I didn't even give Seung any of my opinions! I highly, highly recommend her to anyone. She has an amazing eye for what suits your face!

Here are some photos of my healing process (ointment, scabs, and all):

Initial session: From week 1 to final healed brows (lighter and thinner than I usually like)

1st Touchup: Retouch original color + add thicker shape

In the end, I had 3 touch-ups for the following reasons:

1) On my initial session, Seung stayed inside my hair lines for a natural shape. She also didn't tattoo as deep because she wanted to see how my skin would do with the needle and ink. It healed well, but the result was thinner and lighter than I wanted since I normally fill in my eyebrows for a thicker look. So for the first touch-up, she went bigger, darker, and deeper.
2) The second touch-up was to touch up the bigger shape. Since the first touch-up made the original ink darker, she had to even it out more on the outer edges.
3) The last touch-up was to seal the deal for all my sessions. I'm supposed to go back in a year to see how the color is doing! Eeek!

Makeup vs permanent makeup (Tashi wins):

How I #ChooseTheTable with Dietz & Watson

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dietz & Watson. The opinions and text are all mine.

I'm so proud to be partnering with Dietz & Watson to share how I make time for the people I love over something as simple as sharing a meal. D&W's quality meats and cheeses are perfect for bringing family and friends around the table, which is what I did this past weekend by creating a charcuterie board with my sister, brother-in-law, and fiancé!

My sister and her husband had gotten some beautiful charcuterie boards and knives for their baby shower the week before, and it was the perfect occasion for the first use! It was a group effort setting everything up, and the best part was eating all of it! And everything was sooo good.

After our afternoon snacking, we went back inside with happy bellies to chat, watch football, and play with their dog. It was the perfect evening! How do you #ChooseTheTable with your friends and loved ones? Share your own images on Instagram and be sure to use the hashtag and tag @DietzAndWatson!

Also, until December 1, you can enter for a chance to win a private chef's dinner with local Dallas celebrity chef Stephan Pyles!