It has officially been one month on Accutane, and boy is my limits being tested. For those of you who are unaware, the first month on Accutane is probably the most difficult. Your body is getting adjusted to the pills and side effects begin to kick in.  One of the most common side effects that I received so far is chapped lips. Having lip balm has now become a necessity. It is something that you can find in my purse, jean pockets, and even inside of my bra. Thanks to Accutane I have had other side effects as well (there are about 50 that one can receive, no joke) including lack of hunger and one bloody nose that ruined a tranquil yoga class.

As many of you know, I started my yoga practices in the beginning of the spring and have been in love with it ever since. Being a member of CorePower Yoga (I swear this is not a promotion you guys) has allowed for me to try and array of classes from biking, hot power, to sculpt. Here are just a few of my favorite yoga classes and why I think they are oh-so-great.

1. Sculpt: When I work out, I want to be able to feel a sweat. This is a great class that allows me to work on every single part of my body while pushing and challenging myself. From core workouts to cardio, I can feel the immediate effect of sculpt yoga after my practice. Not only do I feel rejuvenated but I also feel stronger. Yes, at times I am cussing under my breadth at the instructor for making me do 100 push-ups (I'm being dramatic here),but at the end of the day I somehow feel even more motivated to come back the next day on my mat again. What makes this class even more entertaining? If you're a music junkie like myself, this is a great way to hear others playlists and jam out to some great tunes. 
2. Hot Power: I'm one of those people who like to be on both extreme ends. When i'm practicing yoga I'm either there for relaxation or to get a sweaty work out in. With Hot Power and Hot Power Fusion I'm simply there to practice my breadth and focus on my balance. This is a great class to decompress after a stressful day and feel as though you have entered into an oasis like spa. You might even get a message during your practice too. 
3. C2 Class: Though I don't take this class as often as I used to, this class is great to learn the fundamentals of yoga. It allowed me to understand and push myself in order to do classes such as Sculpt and even Bootcamp ( I only did the intro class for one day). By understanding and mastering the steps you are truly able to appreciate and utilize the moves that you have learned in this class and apply them in your every day routines. 

I'm one of those weird people that needs a great sassy shirt to help motivate me to work out. If you're one of those people that is the same way when going to whatever exercise class you take (individually or in a group) here are a few exercise looks for yoga that you can try today. Adding a sassy bra, funny t-shirt, or funky pair of leggings can really have a positive effect on your work out. Let me know which one of these looks is your favorite in the comments below!

The recipe for the Lemon Cake from Healthy Living

You're probably wondering how healthy and pound cake can be in the same sentence. I asked myself the same question too as I was preparing the dish. Instead of requiring a pound of each ingredient (which is how the infamous cake got its name from) the recipe requires you to add Greek yogurt into the cake instead of milk. Cool right? Though the cake was a tad more moist with yogurt it did leave the cake with a bitter taste and almost more of a consistency of bread rather than cake.Sugar was replaced with agave and lemon zest was minimal. If I'm going to eat cake, I want it to look like cake dammit- and taste similar to it as well. Having more of a cornbread like structure and taste, the cake wasn't even worthy of snapping pictures of. Sure, it helped minimize my sugar cravings but I think next time I'll stick to popcorn or buying pre-made Weight Watchers bars.

Until next time,

1. Write them down: Whether you write your goals down on a piece of paper, on a word document, or in your notes section of your iphone have a place that you can look back and evaluate your goals every so often. You might have remembered a couple of summers ago I did this as a special blog feature- attempting to complete goals of different sizes. By writing these down you are not only making these plans more concrete- but you are making a promise to yourself that you are going to try and make those dreams happen.
2. Put a time limit on goals: Create a deadline of when you would like to see your goals completed. Create a mix of time frames so that you don't feel rushed to complete every single goal AT THE SAME EXACT TIME. Trust me, it's stressful and takes away the joy of completing a well deserved task. 
3. Have goals of different sizes: It can be intimidating looking at a list with what can be perceived as unobtainable dreams. In order to downsize these larger dreams to make them appear doable, create goals of different sizes that you know that you can complete. 
4. Create communal goals: Having your own personal goals is awesome,but creating goals for a community can be even more rewarding. This can include going to the gym once a week with your friends, creating policy changes with a social justice group, or creating a garden with your local community. Goals shouldn't serve just yourself personally- they should benefit all community members as well. 
5. Know that you can do it: You are your biggest enemy at times. Fight for what you believe is right and what you deserve. It may take longer than you expected, but know that with time things will come. 
6. Be humble when necessary and celebrated when needed: Don't automatically assume that you will get all of your dreams accomplished in a heartbeat. Even if you do--be humble about it and grateful for the opportunities that have been given to you. Celebrate your goals and then move forward with your life towards bigger and better opportunities. 
7. Look up to others: This summer I will be looking up to athletes such as those lucky enough to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio and Paralympic Games. Hearing and seeing each athletes strength, determination, and ferocity reminds me that I too can reach and accomplish my dreams if I put effort and time into it. Anything is truly possible when you believe in yourself and try.

According to the University of Texas, the average size of a woman in the United States is a size 12-14. As a fashion blogger and someone who fits into this 'average size' category, it can sometimes be discouraging to write about fashion. The business is harsh. Where the average size for woman starts is considered a scarce place on the racks at clothing stores, leaving woman like myself out of clothing options. I'm not the only one that has this problem either. Over 50% of woman in the US are over the size of 14. Yet somehow the majority of retail stores only contain size 0-12, leaving woman like myself left with little to choose from and sometimes even downright depressed.



What can make matters worse is that there are very little options for woman like myself who are considered on the 'plus' size range at times to have people in the media to look up to. Think about it- when was the last time you saw on a magazine cover a model that wasn't a size 2? Now don't get me wrong- I am by no means trying to shame woman that are of a smaller size than me. I understand that everyone is born with different body types and sizes. I get that. So if there are just as many woman in the world (or more) who are over a size 2, why aren't they presented in the medias? I can think on my hand of the number of plus size models and actresses that have had love interest, been campaign models. or  even had a shed of light shown on them.

Model Ashley Graham featured in DNCE's latest video "Toothbrush" as Joe Jonas' love interest

I don't technically consider myself a plus size girl and I have one reason why - I am 100% ashamed of the notion of being so. I work out every day, eat a healthy diet, yet still somehow can barely fit into size 12 jeans. You see it is possible to be healthy and be a size 12, 14, or even 20. No, I am not a doctor by any means. But I do know that society does create a stigma of plus size woman being considered lazy and unhealthy, and this isn't always the case. Society has pretty much shamed  plus size woman since the beginning of the 21st century. What was at one time seen as the ideal body type has now become the opposite. I cringe when saying the word 'plus' and turn my head several times in fear that someone might notice me shopping in the plus size section.

Whitney Thompson of America's Next Top Model

Fortunately society is changing about the perspective of plus size woman. Finally in movies the plus size girl is having a plot in story lines. We are no longer just the funny girl or the bets friend. Finally models are showing up in all shapes and sizes on the runways and magazine covers allowing for all to be represented. So yes, maybe I'm still ashamed of being in the awkward middle section of being plus size- and well- the other side of the aisle. But with societies views changing day by day within the media my perspective and acceptance of my body and others is changing day by day. And I hope for others like myself they too will be able to appreciate and understand that this body revolution is an important and necessary step.

Until next time,

Almost every blogger I know has had difficulties writing and creating original content. There's a reasons why the phrase 'writers block' exists, and it happens quiet often for bloggers too. For myself, creating weekly or even daily content for the blog can sometimes be a struggle. Now I'm not trying to complain about having a blog by no means. Instead, I'm writing this post in hopes of helping other writers and creating a reminder as a blogger of what not to do as a blogger.

For many of us woman, periods can be something that we dread every month. Sometimes it creeps around and surprises us out of the blue in our white jeans while other times it comes at the crack of dawn. Almost always though this is one thing in common with these occurrences; the feeling of being unprepared. Of course, being in the 21st century has its perks. So I looked at ways on how to track my period. Yes, I could do it myself on a calendar the good old fashion way that American Girl tried to explain to me in the puberty book, but why not make life a bit easier and less complicated? After all there will be many complications throughout each period cycle as it is, so why not eliminate one less thing to worry about.

About the app

So Sabrina what's so great about this app?

What makes this app unique is how it is tracked. Each month, the app will save the data of information on your previous period. As your time goes on using the app it will use this data to generate more accurate predictions of when your next period is. In addition- so that you don't have any surprises of any sorts- the app can sync your predicted periods to your calendar on your phone and notify you when you're about to have your period so that you don't wear those white pants to your family reunion. Of course the app has some flaws (it doesn't take into account your weight fluctuations) but overall I would say that it's pretty darn good and can predict your cycle for the next 6 months out. So farewell to the -'when did I last get my last period?' questions, and hello to the P tracker app, because I have one less thing to worry about now on my period.


Let me know if you also use this app or if you have other tricks/tips for periods!



Until next time,

So remember when I wrote that I was trying a week of free yoga? Well ladies and gentleman I have decided to become and member at CorePower Yoga. Naturally that means that there has been lots of sweat, awkward moves, and embarrassing moments. It would be wrong of my not to share these oh-so-great moments on the blog. So here are 5 thoughts that everyone, including myself, thinks and does while doing yoga.

#1) Farting

The first time I did this I was absolutely horrified. Sure, I had seen this happen in comedies but I never expected it to happen to me during downward dog. Just remember- almost everyone else has done once in their lifetime before. Even though it might be mortifying at the moment pray that no one actually heard it and pretend (if you can) that it was a joint....or maybe the person next to you :)

#2) Trying to copy everyone's moves without looking like an idiot

You pray that you don't look like an idiot compared to the rest of the group who have been doing yoga since the age of 5. Yes, you'll be staring at the majority of the class trying to comprehend their moves rather than doing the moves themselves. Looks like we'll be staying in child's pose for a bit longer...

#3) Giving the trainer the side glare of death

Everyone has their moments while working out when they want to scream at the top of their lungs and tell the instructor to just shut up. Yes, there have been times were several expletives have come out of my mouth (quietly) during class but usually I just choose the old-so-cold side glare to do the trick. As shown by the woman in the gray sweatshirt, this allows you to convey your message of disapproval of the workout while still looking like a bad ass to the rest of your fellow yogis.

#4) Trying to concentrate for the entire glass when the instructor/fellow yogi is attractive 

One of the hardest tasks is concentrating on the task at hand (in this case awkward sweaty yoga) in a graceful manner without staring at the instructor or yogi too long for them to notice. In addition to concentrating even more on the beloved yoga practice rather than the attractive person next to you, you somehow believe that you have the capability to be the best in the class that day.

#5) Dipping out of class as fast as possible

Even if you don't mind being seen in public looking like a semi-hot mess after yoga, you have to admit one of the best parts of the yoga practice are saying those glorious final words, bowing, and getting the heck out of the room so that you can do it all over again the next day.


Until next time,

It would be a lie if I said I didn't want a body like Beyonce's. From her killer abs to her stunner booty, its hard not be a tad envious of Mrs. Carter. Now, the singer/actress/ director/ mother is adding something new to her repertoire: fashion designer.

Similar to the Jenner sisters, Beyonce's athletic line will be featured at stores like Nordstrom, Zolando, and Topshop next week for exercise enthusiasts. As someone who has started working out more ( remember Core Power yoga?) having outfits that are not only comfortable, but that make you feel awesome can truly have an impact on your workout. I find for me, if I wear workout clothes that I feel comfortable in I receive a stronger confidence both internally and externally while completing my work out. I think that Beyonce's Ivy Park line does just that. Not only does the line have a message, but it embodies a type of confidence that can only be found in something that only Beyonce herself could create. So even though I might not be able to get the EXACT body like Beyonce (we can only dream), I can get a bit of her confidence while working out.



What makes Beyonce's workout line unique compared to previous athletic lines is that its catering to more than one form of exercise. Compared to other athletic lines that only focus on one area of sport, IVY Park has clothes for swimwear, yoga, and day-to-day.  Though the prices form the line have yet to be announced I know that I'll be hitting the shelves to try on some IVY Park outfits.

For more information on the line, please visit http://www.ivypark.com/ and check out some of the pictures below.

Happy shopping ladies!









* All pictures are from IVY PARK

My daily struggle, photo by Inside Amy Schumer

Life has been kinda stressful lately. Scratch that-life has been very stressful lately. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, the search for finding a job post-college has been difficult. With many of my friends on Spring Break this means time to catch up with old friends and worry about becoming an adult (insert crying emoji here). Last week, while practically crying about my life problems post college my friend suggested that we try yoga to get our stress out. With my face becoming more pizza like by the day, and the number of times I was looking at my phone hoping for a new call or email- having a distraction like yoga sounded perfect.

Mind you, I had done yoga in the past. In college we were fortunate to have two free yoga classes each week, and in January I decided to try on Youtube to do yoga at home. I knew the moves and terminology for yoga, I had 'mastered' sculpt yoga, and had three cute yoga pants that I was ready to show off at class. I was ready! Or so I thought I was.

Reminder to all that you will have that moment when you have no idea what you're doing, photo from Pitch Perfect

The first night of our free week at CorePower Yoga started off with (what I assumed would be ) a simple candlelight yoga. To say that I was in a shock after that first class would be an understatement. Even before I sat down onto the mat I was sweating. But how could this even be? According to CorePower Yoga's site  by practicing yoga in warm temperature has many benefits including the prevention of injuries while working out, increasing overall circulation, and enhances immune system function. Poses that I had once considered to be easy in my yoga practice became harder to complete with the rising heat and my sweat dripping everywhere onto my mat.

To my surprise though, every time I went into class (I went all six days folks) I felt very refreshed after. Yes, at times the practice seemed like hell. Yes, at times I felt like a beached whale on my mat feeling more helpless and lazy than I had ever before. And yes, sometimes I questioned my sanity for going back the next day wanting to see if I could further push my limits while working out. Somehow though, each time I went all those doubts about working out- and even more so about my job search- became more optimistic and clear while doing yoga. Having done the week of yoga at CorePower has not only allowed me to become more enlightened about the practice, but also about myself. I am stronger than I believe I am. And, if I can challenge myself physically (and begin to succeed) at yoga- who else knows what am capable of doing?



So here's to another week of trying yoga, seeing what the new possibilities are, and remembering that sometimes it's okay to feel the burn.



The classes that I took were the following:
* CorePower Yoga 2 (C2) 95-98 Degrees ,Added Humidity
* Hot Yoga (HY) 102-104 Degrees, Added Humidity

 

     If you watch an unhealthy amount of TV or are engrossed with People or Us weekly magazine, you know that with a new year comes a new body. You might remember on my previous blog posts that I have struggled with loosing weight. With the help of Weight Watchers (no endorsement here) and changing my intake of meat to solely fish, I was able to loose 50 pounds. Now, almost a year and a half later I'm back to the original weight that I started off at. It honestly came out of the blue. I knew that after I had studied abroad in France I had gained weight. With all the wine and cheese it was bound to happen. With summer and the want to get back into my bikini I became toned and got back to my weight. Then the dreaded senior year came. Priorities shifted and I became more stressed out then I could remember. I still exercised (I actually have started lap swimming in the mornings at 6:30 am!) and was eating pretty healthy (because everyone has a cheat day now and then). Still, I was surprised that somehow this could happen.

@khloekardashian Instagram

  So I looked for some motivation. I looked at social media accounts like Demi Lovato and Khloe Kardashian who publicly aired out on social media there body confidence and journey to being healthy. I looked at their social media success- what did they do that was so different than mine? I did the same work-out as them and even ate the same food.  It was the attitude that made it different and allowed for them to maintain their success. Unlike the first time that I started my weight loss journey, I started this one off with a positive attitude. I didn't get mad at myself like before, I just started doing it. Yes there have been some bumps on the road- but isn't that life? It's one of the curse and blessings that life will give you; the unexpected.

@ddlovato Instagram

   Now, 27 days into the new year I have begun to change my attitude, and along with it so have the pounds. I'm taking every day one step at a time. I've learned that sometimes its okay not to work out till I want to pass out but instead to work on my mind, body, and soul. In my next health post, I'll be talking about what workout plans I've been doing in order to maintain a great mind, body, and soul.

Until then check out my Instagram for motivational post @theprincessfusion!