Sneaky Toning

Hello Lovelies!

I'm so very sorry for the delay in this post, but I can assure you that Lipstick & Life will be back on schedule very soon. :)

 {Tumblr ~ I Just Need A Moment}

In the summer it's really easy to slack on usual routines since the time is full of relaxation and good food. :) But that doesn't mean we have to stress about it. These are some of the tricks I've discovered this summer. They're really easy ways to incorporate some exercise into typical summer activities. :)  

Abs In The Pool 

{Soak up the sun}

One really easy thing to do is to engage your abs while swimming. When in a deep end of the pool where you can't touch the bottom, hold your torso straight as you lift your knees towards your chest and curl them in, and then kick your legs out before lowering them once more. It's sort of like doing crunches. Repeat this movement as many times as you can until you start feeling it, then put in a few more, and you've just done a great Ab workout in about 5 minutes. :) 

Walking Your Dog

{Spending time with your dog can have more than one perk}

Dogs are great exercise companions. So, lengthen the time or distance of a daily walk. Just getting out in the sunshine and walking around for a while puts in some good cardio - even when wearing flip flops. :) Most dogs will love it! 

Leg Lifts + TV

{Work those legs}

While you're sitting on the couch watching TV, something really easy to do are leg lifts. Sit up straight, and then lift your knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Hold them in place for about ten seconds. You can alternate between raising the left, right or both legs. Again, repeat these until you feel they're becoming tiring, put in a few more, and then stop. It's pretty quick, and turns chill time into a bit of tone time. :) 

Enjoy the rest of your week! 

Talk to you Friday! 

- H xx

~ 1, 2, 3, 4 ~

Summer Shopping List

Summer is one of those times where I usually accumulate a list of items that are currently in style, or that I've noticed throughout the year as being some that could prove to be staple items. I haven't done very much shopping so far this summer, however, these are some items that I've got my eye out for. :) Maybe I'll be able to pick up some of them before school starts!

Coloured Shorts 

These are really popular this summer. I noticed that Hollister and Abercrombie seem to have quite a large assortment of colours this year, so those stores could be great places to check out. 

Oversized Leather Bag 

I am in love with these...classic and practical. 

Neon Trainers 

My trainers have become really worn out after a couple of years of P.E. classes and sports, so I'm thinking one of my back-to-school items will be a new pair of running shoes. Loving the neon trainers Nike has come out with recently. :) 


Go-To Pumps

Unfortunately, my fave pair are on their last legs, so I'm beginning the search for my next pair of basic go-to's. 


Maxiskirt

These have been everywhere this year, and I think they've got a really nice look to them. (Emma's also a fan)  This spring, I invested in my first Maxidress. Yet, seeing as this trend has not yet faded, I'm hoping to add a maxiskirt to the mix, as well. :) 


Sheers

The 'sheer top + bandeau' combination has gotten huge this summer. I love the girly touch sheers bring to outfits, and, if purchased in a few key colours, they can be taken into the fall when paired with classic skinnies. Hoping to pick up a few of these, too. 


Coloured Skinnies

These easily add an extra touch to any outfit. I find them super cute!


Have a wonderful weekend!

- H xx

~ 1, 2, 3, 4. 5, 6, 7 ~

Hollister and A&F Haul: 7/9

Last week I made my first clothing purchases of the summer from American clothing stores, Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. Though I did pay full price for a couple of the items, the majority were on major sale - ranging from 30-50%+ off!

Hollister Co. Alcazar Navy Printed Triangle Bikini Top & Swim Bottoms

This is probably my new summer staple. I've been eyeing the Hollister swimsuits with the bird logo on them for a few years now, so I'm super excited to have finally decided on one. This set was about half off its original price! Even better.

Hollister Co. Pebbly Beach Shorts in Dark Turquoise

Brightly coloured shorts seem to be everywhere this summer, so I decided to try and pick up a pair. I love the colour of these, and after wearing them once this week, I've found that they're also super comfortable. Might have to snag another colour in this style before summer ends. :)

Hollister Co. Classic Leather Flip Flops in Dark Brown

{Please note, the colour is quite a bit darker in person}

I love the Hollister and A&F leather sandals. They're super comfortable and are versatile enough to be paired with almost any outfit during the spring/summer/fall seasons. These are my new pair for the year, and I'm super excited to break them in.

Abercrombie & Fitch Ruffled Triangle Bikini Top & Swim Bottoms in Blue

I love the colour (can you tell I have a thing for blue yet?) and I think the style is super sweet. The flower detailing and light ruffles really give this swimsuit a girly touch. This set was also about half off its original price! :)

Abercrombie & Fitch Kaela Cami in White

I saw a few of the store employees sporting similar tops to these last two while I was shopping. The style is really versatile and can be worn with shorts and a cute leather belt (my fave) during the summer, and then carried into the fall with some skinny jeans. 

Abercrombie & Fitch Kaela Cami in Navy

This is the navy version with a slightly different lace pattern than the white one above. I love both of these new additions to my closet, and think they'll be great during the warm summer months. They're girly with their sweet lace touches, but also classic. This one was 30% off - whee!

- H xx

June's 5 Things - Halle

Hey Everyone! 

I honestly can't believe that it's July already...this summer's gotten off to a busy, but super fun start. Hopefully time will slow down a bit, though, so we can enjoy the remaining weeks. 

Reflection

{Original image from Tumblr}

This week I'm at music camp, so I've been doing a lot of playing, listening and thinking. Last night while our teachers were playing a recital for us, I got to thinking about life and passion. Although I do have several different areas I am genuinely interested in, I don't know that I have one true passion...or maybe I do, but I haven't realized it yet. Hopefully it's something that'll become more obvious to me with age. This week, I've been thinking about my life so far, and the direction in which it's headed. I don't mean that in some sort of dramatic or brooding way, I've just been reflecting on myself as a person. It's been nice to take some quiet time - with just me, my mind, and my music. :) Okay, enough of my philosophical thoughts... :)

Mophie Portable Charger

{Mophie RED Juicepack Reserve for iPod & iPhone}

With travel comes excessive use of my iPhone for playing music. With excessive use, comes a drained battery. This little "mini-charger" has been a total lifesaver during layovers when I've not only been in need of my phone for its use as an ipod, but also so that I can stay in touch with family and friends from the airport. I have the mini version, which charges the phone about 30-45% of the way, but larger ones are also available which I believe can give your battery full life again. 

Braided Belts

{Cotton On Jean Braided Belt}

One of my go-to styles this summer are flowy tanks and tops tucked into shorts. With those shirts, I feel that belts go great with them in terms of adding a little extra preppy flavour. I have a similar one to the above that's also from Cotton On, but mine is a bit more of a single braid rather than multiple crossovers within a border. It's super versatile and can add an extra touch to pretty much any outfit.

Hush, Hush

{Series by Becca Fitzpatrick}

As one of my all-time favourite reads, I've been re-reading the series on planes and by the pool so far this summer. For more on my love for this book, click here to view my "Summer Reading List" post. 

Logoquiz

{Logoquiz iphone/ipad App}

My new friends at camp introduced me to this game on their phones, and I started loving it, so I downloaded the app for myself. It's basically pictures of parts of different brands' logos, and you have to guess which they belong to. There are multiple levels, and believe it or not, once you start, it becomes addictive. :)

That's it for this week on Lipstick and Life! See you Monday! 

Have a great weekend! 

-H xx

~1, 2, 3, 4, 5~

Travel Outfits

Whether you're on a plane for a few, or multiple hours, comfort is key. Here are some pictures of some ideal travel outfits for any length of flight:

Ashley Tisdale

This outfit is perfect for short-haul flights. The jeggings and t-shirt (or any cute top) make it comfortable, but the sleek jacket and chic suitcase make it perfectly suitable for wearing straight off of the plane and into the city.

Miley Cyrus

For mid-length or redeye flights, this comfortable outfit is comfortable enough for sleeping on the plane, but still reasonable to wear out to lunch paired with some shades and a confident walk.

Selena Gomez

Finally, in the above photo, Selena rocks a cute sweatsuit at LAX. A great sweatsuit and tank top combination are the perfect companions for overnight or long-haul flights. Comfortable and temperature-versatile. Simply take off your jacket when you land. :)

These are my top picks for keeping up your personal style when traveling. Today, I'm getting on a short flight to music camp, so I'm sporting skinny jeans and a tank top - a spinoff of Ashley's look above. 

What's your favourite look for travel? 

Let me know in the comments. 

-H xx

~1, 2, 3 ~

Songs of Summer

{Phuket, Thailand}

This summer is filled with some long airplane rides, car rides, days by the pool, amongst other occasions perfect for filling the silence with some of my fave songs. Here are some of the most frequently played songs from my "Summertime" playlist (Ranging from dance music to very mellow tunes).

1. Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute
(It's probably my all-time favourite song)

2. Fall - Justin Bieber
(My fave off of his new album, Believe)

3. Yellow - Coldplay
(Sweetly soft tune that's super mellow)

4. Miami To Ibiza - Swedish House Mafia ft. Tinie Tempah
(Always gets me dancing)

5. Stereo Hearts - Gym Class Heroes
(Cute song that's great for singing along)

6. Animal - Neon Trees
(Upbeat and funky)

7. Thunder - Boys Like Girls
(Very sweet, soft song with summer themes in lyrics)

8. Lips of an Angel - Hinder
(Very relaxed tempo and lyrics - have loved this song for years)

9. Best Day of My Life - Jesse McCartney
(Very cute with good lyrics)

10. Never Gonna Leave This Bed - Maroon 5
(Both the regular acoustic and recorded versions are great)

Happy Friday Everyone!

-H xx

Airplane Essentials

Hi Everyone!

I've just arrived at my mom's house in the U.S. for more of my summer holiday. I got here about five hours ago, and have unpacked, showered and eaten after spending around 20 hours traveling. I'm not too tired, but am happy to be sleeping in a more comfortable position soon.

For this post, I thought I'd share the essential items I keep with me when flying - particularly on long-haul flights when freshening up every several hours on the plane, as well as immediately upon exiting the aircraft are completely necessary (if you want to keep your sanity). :)


Large Purse 
This should be pretty big, so that it can hold all of the items...

{Lilac Longchamp Tote}

Cozy Hoodie + Socks

Planes can sometimes be very cold...

{Princeton Sweatshirt and Bath & Body Works Shea Socks}

Makeup Bag

To hold all of the "freshen up" products...

{Vera Bradley Cosmetic Case}

Toothbrush + Small Toothpaste

After waking up from a slightly awkward nap, brushing your teeth makes you feel instantly fresher...

{Travel toothbrush + Mini Colgate Total Toothpaste}

Lipbalm + Moisturizing Gloss

Air on planes is dry, so make sure to keep your lips moisturized with lip balm. Then, when stepping off the plane, use the moisturizing gloss to keep up the feeling, but add a bit of glamour to your look...

{Classic Burt's Bees Chapstick + C.O. Bigelow "Lemon Citron" Lip Cream}

Eye Glasses + Spare Contacts

I always wear my glasses on long plane rides, but usually before a shorter connecting flight, or when I arrive at the airport of my destination, I switch to my lenses...

{Polo "Jack" Eyeglasses + Acuvue Oasis Contact Lenses}

Earphones + Portable Phone Charger

To cover the sounds of the plane with your favourite songs (it's a good idea to make a relaxing playlist), and an iphone/ipod charger, since those devices can save you from boredom...

{Incase "Capsule Headphones" + Mophie "Inspi(Red) Juice Pack For iPhone"

Also remember to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. I also think splashing your face with water a couple of times - once on the plane and once upon arrival helps to wake you up, freshen you up, and a makes you feel a bit cleaner, since a fair amount of oil can be produced during a long flight.

I hope this post was helpful! 

I'd also like to wish safe journeys to everyone who's traveling this summer! 

See you Friday! 

-H xx

Summer Fun (Minus the Sun)

Hey Everyone!

This week since Emma is still in China on the immersion trip, she doesn't have access to her computer/our blog. So, I'll be updating the site with the three weekly posts in the next few days. :)

I returned last night from Phuket. It was a great vacation - very restful, set in peacefully beautiful scenery and full of great food. :) Today I spent time with some friends, as tomorrow will be goodbye for the rest of the summer, since I'm leaving for the U.S. on Wednesday to holiday with family and attend some summer courses.

We spent our day as we usually do when we're together - lunch at one of our favourite places, a bit of shopping and then back to my apartment to hang out. It's during these long summery days with friends that sometimes we are looking for some easy ways to have fun while we're enjoying each other's company - outside of the worries of school. I thought in this post, I'd show some pictures of some of how we spent our time at home today, which also include some of our fave things to do together.

Grab a tub of ice cream with enough spoons to go around. :)

{Movenpick Strawberry - One of our favourites!}

Playing Cards! 

It might seem a bit boring/old-fashioned, but we love playing card games. They're simple, dependable forms of consistent entertainment, and when you all play at similar levels, it makes for fun competition. Our favourite games are Big 2 and Cheat. 

{Pile of playing cards after a round of Big 2}

Just Dance

This Wii game became a part of our sleepover traditions last year with Just Dance 2. Last week, we all chipped in to purchase our shared copy of Just Dance 3. It is our all-time favourite game, and we always spend several hours playing it whenever we're all together. :) It's fun, we can sing along, laugh at each other's dancing, and pig out while we play. (The dancing actually works up a bit of a sweat after a while - so you can justify some pigging, since you must be burning calories...Right?)We're eagerly awaiting the release of Just Dance 4! :)

What are some of your favourite things to do during the summer months?
Let me know in the comments below!

-H xx

Pack It Like You Mean It

{Phuket Day 1 - Lounging By The Pool}

It's travel time for Emma and I at the moment. She's currently in Beijing on a language immersion trip, and I'm on a family holiday in Thailand. So, as a result, our posts this week have been slightly travel-themed. Her last update talked about some of the essential items one must bring when traveling, and in this post, I'm going to discuss how to organize one's suitcase effectively. 

I would like to warn you that I am not a perfect packer. I've only recently begun to improve beyond my tendency to over-pack, and I can rarely fold my items neatly. However, I'll show you the method that I've developed and found to be effective in terms of organizing my suitcase. Using this, I always know where my items are, and so I don't have trouble finding anything when dressing or organizing myself upon arriving at my destination. 

{My Opened Suitcase in Our Hotel}

Some essential items used to organize myself in sections from left to right clockwise: Plastic bag of face washes/perfume bottles, plastic bag of sunscreen (#palegirlprobs), hat, plastic bag of shower items, Estee Lauder makeup bag case holding body + face lotion, Vera Bradley hanging organizer for toiletry items, Herbal Essences Mousse (or other essential haircare items in a sealed container), Juicy Couture small box of some accessories & Cow Skin Printed small clothing bag containing underwear + bandeaus. 

Not Shown: Beneath these cases are my clothes folded into 6 piles by section: Dresses, Shorts, Shirts, Tank Tops, PJ Shorts & PJ Shirts. There is also a small pocket inside the suitcase that holds my swimsuits for the trip. The compartment in the lid of the suitcase contains an extra pair of flip flops and my wedge heels to wear with sundresses. 

I use a really similar format for all of my trips, sometimes with clothes folded into smaller, more compressed shapes to allow for more sections. This is useful during the cold months when going on trips where packing of extra jackets/sweaters/pants is essential. Also, for the same reason, the small cases I use to contain my items may increase/decrease. For instance, I might not bring along sunscreen, but I'll have a separate small clothing bag containing socks. But for the most part, these items stay the same, so I always know what to look for when opening up my bag for a quick change. :) 

I hope you're all having a great start to your summer! 

-H xx

Rules of Summer I

{ From Left to Right: The Body Shop Lip Balm; Chubby Sticks in Whopping Watermelon, Super Strawberry, Chunky Cherry; Sunglasses; Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume; MAC Rubenesque paint pot; Forever 21 Statement Necklace; MAC Red Racer Lipstick; MAC Red to Shop Nail Lacquer; MAC Blue Stripe Eyeliner; China Glaze nail polish in Pool Party; Chanel Compact Powder; H&M Kabuki Brush

Inspired by my all time favorite blogger Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere I decided to start my own Rules of Summer. The idea is to create a sort of miniature bucket list that takes place over the course of that summer. Being out of school makes it easy to focus your time and the warm weather brings about the adventurous spirit in all. Here are my first Rules of Summer 2012 to accomplish: 

1. Have an outdoor picnic

2.  Go to a drive in movie

3. Make s'mores

4. Go to a flea market

5. Shop vintage at a thrift store

6. Buy a watch* 

7. Sneak into a hotel pool

8. Lunch with my besties 

9. Eat chocolate dipped ice cream

10. Snap a photo with an Abercrombie & Fitch model 

* Small confession. I have a terrible thing against watches. They are chunky and uncomfortable and give you the worst tan lines. Yet my Tumblr and Instagram seem to be filling up with arm candy whose center piece is usually a delicate (yet large) gold watch. Not for time keeping I'm sure. So I'm thinking maybe its time I took another peek into the watch world. 

May's 5 Things - Halle

Hello Everyone!

The weather is hot, hot, hot now, particularly in the very humid Hong Kong, but I am so excited that it's summertime! Here are the five things I've been loving this month at the beginning of this warm season:

1. Neutrogena "Wetskin" Sunscreen

So, I'm a bit pale. Actually, that is an understatement. I have very fair skin, which burns very easily. So, each summer I'm constantly faced with concerns regarding preventing myself from burning. Before I swim, I usually apply a pretty generous amount of regular rub-on sunscreen. (I like the ones from Neutrogena as well - in a very high SPF, such as 100+) It's not too much of an issue to wait the 10-15 minutes for this to soak in prior to swimming, yet, when I'm found facing a day by the beach or pool when re-application is necessary every hour or so, this new sunscreen makes it so much more convenient. You can spray it onto your skin when it is wet very conveniently, and it does not require an extensive amount of drying time. It also offers the same degree of coverage as other Neutrogena products. Needless to say, I think this sunscreen is going to become an essential item on hot summer days.

2. Rayban "Aviator Large Metal" Sunglasses

I found these at an outlet with my family last summer on sale in the US, and instantly fell in love. I feel like this style is very versatile and flattering, and this colour is my absolute favourite out of the available coloured options in this same style. They complement every outfit selection in terms of colour and adding an extra hint of stylishness, which I absolutely adore. Plus, they protect your eyes from harmful UV Rays. What's not to love?

3. Violet "Le Pliage" Longchamp Bag

I've grown to absolutely adore Longchamp totes in the last couple of years. They come in a variety of colours, are versatile enough to match any outfit, and are large enough to hold all of the essential items - even when you're carrying them to school! I like the larger size of the bag for these reasons, since it can hold all of my books, extra flip flops when I'm wearing heels - everything a girl needs. This colour is actually from last year's Spring Collection. I got it as a Christmas present from my mom. I think the colour is quite summery, and it actually does match with more outfits than I anticipated. Other worthy colours are the beautiful chocolate brown and classic black.

4. Sperry Topsiders In "Brown Deerskin"

I used to wear boat shoes all the time when I was growing up, but stopped for a few years when I was about thirteen. This past summer I spotted this colour in Macy's and totally fell in love again. This school year, they've become my go-to shoe, and I've been loving pairing them with cute shorts and tanks so far this summer. Super comfy and versatile.

5. Bath & Body Works Body Spray - White Citrus

This was my summer scent last year, and I am still finishing up the large bottle I bought all those months ago. It smells so fresh and light, and is perfect for days outside or carrying in your purse just to make yourself feel fresh again in the heat. It's not too overpowering, but just sweet enough for summer. :)

I hope you enjoyed this post! Talk to you Friday!

-H xx

~1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ~

May's 5 Things - Emma

Summer officially started for me last week, along with the coming of June. So I think that many of the things keeping me happy last month had much to do with the coming season!

{ MAC lipstick in Red Racer }

As a little birthday gift to myself I snagged this red lipstick from MAC's new Hey, Sailor! collection. Lately, the collections haven't really been up my alley, but when this nautical themed one came out I wanted practically every item they had. Red lipstick is something that I have been looking for a while and this shade is gorgeous. The packaging is just so sexy as well. I couldn't help but snag it.

{ My view... }

The weather has just been so beautiful lately, making it easy to mosey down to the pool for studying or asking for an outside table at a restaurant.  With gorgeous days, who can't be happy?

{ MyDietDiary }

I want to call this app something along the lines of a life saver for my summer body. In a week I have already lost 4 kg (about 9 lbs)! I was so shocked but so excited. To read all about my obsession in depth check out my last post here!

{ China Glaze nail polish in Pool Party }

I've been wearing this nail polish non-stop since the warm weather has kicked in, rotating between my fingers and toes. It is such a versatile color, and matches with everything (even when I went through a bit of a green stage). It is hot neon pink that comes up almost exactly the same shade as the bottle (thought this photo may not be an accurate description).

{ Sweet 16 Birthday Pressie! }

Okay, so my birthday was on the third and I had such an amazing night. But I'm going to have to say the highlight was this, a present from my parents. Basically 16 years worth of charms, collected from vacations all around the world. From New York to Cambodia, Thailand to Monetary, there is a memory behind each gold piece. The way I'm seeing it... this is the new family heirloom.

xx Em