Friday, November 9, 2012

13 Ways To Instantly Feel and Look Pretty


Adrian and I don’t believe that feeling fancy is everything…the most important cosmetic or fashion item you can have is a beautiful heart and good character. Everything else is just background noise when it comes to these two important things.

That being said though, we’re still girls and girls like pretty things and to feel pretty. So here are some ways you can get that pretty feeling and look, right away!


Smile.
The prettiest thing any girl, or anyone for that matter, can do is smile. So smile a lot. And the bonus part about smiling a lot is that with all the smiling, you can’t help but feel happy, even if you didn’t start out the day that way.

Drink More Water.
I know I’ve said this before (to read previous post on drinking more water, click HERE), but I don’t think it can be said enough! Drinking enough water has so many health and beauty benefits it’s ridiculous….you’ll loose a little weight because you don’t feel as hungry all the time, makes your skin crazy smooth and soft, not even kidding, your lips don’t get as chapped as easily and the major plus is you just feel AMAZING!!! It was hard for me to start drinking enough water at first because I’m a coffee and tea addict and thought plain old water was a little boring but now it’s the number one thing I want to drink. I made it into a little game to see how many bottles of water I could drink…try it!

Have Good Posture.
Stand up straight. You can make a pretty girl look and feel not so pretty INSTANTLY by terrible posture! So stand up straight, keep your chin up, shoulders back and back aligned. It doesn’t have to feel stiff and ramrod straight and it will probably feel a little weird at first if you’re a sloucher, but stick with it and you’ll be glad you did! You can actually look about 5lbs less if you stand up properly, which is a great incentive! And when you sit down, make sure you carry your posture over….no curved spines and hunched shoulders!

Figure Out Your Style.
Personally, one of my least favorite feelings in the world is wearing clothes whose style I don’t like. Basically, not feeling comfortable. And when you don’t feel comfortable in your clothes you don’t feel confident in other areas and you just feel rotten. I HATE that feeling. I think it’s easier if you just figure out what your style is…some girls are naturally inclined towards a little rock’n’roll style, others like a classic style, and some have an awesomely "out there" rodeo gal style. Forget what people tell you you’re supposed to like and what you’re supposed to wear; wear what makes YOU comfortable and happy. I’ve always liked fashion, like from the time I was a little girl. And I always wore what I wanted, even when I was cowboying and some people told me I didn’t look like a cowboy. My response? Because I AM a cowboy-girl whatever the heck I decide to wear is EXACTLY what a cowboy-girl should wear!!  I like to wear anything black, skinny jeans, ankle boots, long t-shirts and blazers and leather jackets. And I need to have pockets. Once I figured that out I spent a lot less on clothes I felt like I SHOULD wear and I just feel like me. And you can’t beat that, girlfriend. So if you like to wear tutus and striped socks and cowboy boots…DO IT and don’t apologize! If you like to wear your cowboy hat and long sleeved shirt every day….DO IT and don’t apologize! Have the courage to be you, you are one of a kind and your clothes reflect that.

“Dress Shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.” Coco Chanel


Eat Some Nuts.
I keep a little baggie of nuts and raisins in my purse and they’re the perfect snack/small meal because they have everything you need….protein, good carbs, good for you fats….mmm! I eat a handful every two hours and I have energy to get everything done I need to! Traveling with Adrian and going to shows means you don’t always get meals when meal time rolls around and when you’re talking to a lot of people you NEED your energy!! If you’re a college Buckaroo Barbie you could also probably use a little baggie of nuts…to keep you going during long and boring educational lectures! ;)

Wear White Eye Shadow.
This is an awesome little trick. If you want your eyes to look bigger and brighter (and seriously, who doesn’t?!), then just put a little white eye shadow in the inside corner of your eye. It works instantly. You’re welcome.


Improve Your Heart and Mind.
I don’t care how pretty you are, it doesn’t matter if you don’t something you believe in and character…then your looks are just a load of crock. Sorry, but it’s true. A pretty face with no zest for knowledge or adventure and a cause to believe in is just a mask. Study the life and writings of great men and women and apply what you’ve read to YOUR life. Find someone who you look up to and admire, a mentor, and copy the heck out of them! Believe in something and be loyal to that belief. We all have the potential to be successful and have joy in our lives, but we do have to cultivate the characteristics that will allow us to get there first.



Walk Properly
You can instantly look and feel 100 times better if you walk properly. What am I talking about? Well, how you carry yourself and how you feel about yourself is carried out through your walk. Hold your head up, look where you want to go, and then go there. Wear shoes that you can actually WALK in. Nothing is more embarrassing than a girl who is wearing heels or shoes that she just can’t walk in, she’s wobbling all over the place and you’re just hoping that she doesn’t actually fall over. Your gait is important as well. Practice walking and pretend that there is a tight rope that you’re going to walk. Place one foot directly in front of the other. You don’t need to throw your hips around, if you walk like this it naturally gives you a very pretty, feminine, fluid gait. Try it!

Be On Time
My dad always says if you’re not 15 minutes early then you’re late. I like to be about 5 minutes early and Adrian likes to be right on time. If you’re always running late you feel flustered and off balance. If you have an appointment to meet someone, be there on time. They’ll appreciate it and you will feel better about yourself.

Give Yourself A Lip Scrub
A woman’s lips are SEXY, CRAZY, AWESOME. At least in my opinion. And if they’re flaky and dry and chapped, they are not reaching their sexy, crazy, awesome potential. A very easy, free tip is to give your lips a light scrub with your toothbrush or washcloth in the morning and you instantly have smooth, soft lips! Muah!

Wear A Bra That Fits
OK, this sounds silly but it’s actually a big deal! How the ta-tas look can really affect how feel and look overall! If you’ve got big Ta-Ta’s, having a proper fitting bra can help improve your posture, how your clothes fit and reduce back and shoulder pain. If you’ve got little Ta-Ta’s, then having a bra that’s not too big for you will make you feel like a different woman. If you haven’t already, go to a professional and have a bra fitting done, you’ll be glad you did! Victoria’s Secret offers fittings for free but just make sure when they measure you you’re not wearing something padded!

Pose. A Lot.
I used to break out in a cold sweat when it came time to have my picture taken. And since my mum’s a photographer, it happened a lot. So a few sticks of deodorant late and a whole lot of not liking the way I looked in pictures, I started practicing in the mirror. I felt really stupid at first, but it paid off because when you know what the face you like “feels” like, you can just pull it out when it comes time to having your picture taken! All models do this, and they obviously know what they’re doing,!

Keep Good Company.
Last and definitely not least, the company you keep affects the beauty of your heart and mind. Have friends that inspire and uplift you and constantly challenge you to be the very best YOU that you can be. The state of your heart affects everything else and someone is dragging the beautiful you down into ugliness, move on and find some better company that appreciates your beautiful self.



xo xo Liz

Photos via tumblr and Adrian Brannan

7 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. This was a fun read, and a good reminder! I am addicted to lip gloss. I actually can't even fall asleep without my lips being caked. My nutritionist told me my cells looked like raisins, and they should look like grapes. Bring on the WATER! Almonds are fantastic, 13. Awesome tip on the white eye shadow! I've actually been working on my posture, no rounding shoulders for this girl! I've always felt I walked funny. When I was younger I tried not to sway my hips, resulting in a more boyish stride. I rarely use my hips. Now I just feel awkward. Bras are the bane of my existence! OH how I wish I didn't have to wear one, ever. And I'm currently reading a little Rudyard Kipling :)

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  3. Amanda, I LOVE IT when I get a comment from you! You're so honest and you're always working hard and having fun...YOU ROCK! I hate to admit it, I have not read that much Kipling...cringe! What are you reading right now?!

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  4. Oh dear, 2 of those comments? Better delete one! Its this Marvelously old gold and white hardback. But just The Works of. Lots of great ditties, verses, ballads and stories. Our university library has a huge variety of Old haggard and worn books. It's Fantastic! I found one published in 1901 bound with a string. I think I squealed a bit ;)

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  5. Sometimes when I"m posting from my phone it does the same thing! Wow, that is such an awesome find, I bet you squealed!! I would have! :)

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  6. Hello, just wanted to say thanks so much for your awesome posts! I live on a ranch pretty far from town, I ride horses and work cows, I go to a lot of livestock auctions.... And I love clothes, makeup and fashion! To be totally, dorkily honest, Kate Middleton is my fashion inspiration. I would say that about 70% of my wardrobe is westernish... Wranglers, button ups, wool vests and wild rags, which I love... But then the remaining stuff is reasonably girly, which I think I totally love!
    Your post yesterday really inspired me to wear what I really wanted to, to a place I usually wouldn't, and I thank you! I felt gorgeous! Now if I could just get the guts to wear a fascinator!!!! I have been following all your blogs, and your sisters also (glad she is backto posting, and congrats to her and her fiancée) I've listened to her music for a few years now, and she's an inspiration as well.
    So really, I just wanted to to thank you for your brilliant inspirational words, you're just awesome, an what you've been saying really resonates with me!
    I have a blog in wordpress (countrycowgirlwithawadesaddle) that maybe you'll inspire me to post to more often! Thanks again!

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    1. Dear H-town, I was reviewing old posts and just saw this! I am SO sorry that I didn't respond earlier! I adore Kate Middleton and I love that another cowgirl uses her as inspiration as well! Thank you for the lovely comment, for reading Buckaroo Barbie and again I'm so sorry I missed this comment. xo xo Elizabeth

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