Meet Kayla...

I'd like you all to meet Kayla today! She was brave enough to send in her selfie and tell us about her favorite products and style tips. I love to feature real women because I think we can learn a lot from each other and be encouraged by each other!

I met Kayla for the first time in 1998 (which she probably doesn't even remember) when I was 14 and she was 5 or 6. She was in one of the dance classes I was helping with. We got reacquainted a couple years ago when I went back to the studio to assistant teach and she was in my advanced ballet class. I'm excited to feature Kayla because she is such a motivated young adult, and I've had the pleasure to watch her grown into a great young lady!

Kayla

Age 20

Born and raised in the great state of Pennsylvania!

Full time student and certified personal trainer!

Studies psychology and communications.

Ambassador for Fit Approach. Fit Approach is an organization that encourages women to get active and kick butt in the fitness field! Yet, they acknowledge that women can still be feminine in doing so. The organization is best known for their pink shoelaces they sell. Their belief is that "kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes."

About this Selfie: “When I took this picture I had just bought this awesome new lipstick at Sephora. It's the Sephora Rouge Shine lipstick. I'm not a huge fan of lipstick, but this color was perfect at making my lips pop a little bit, but it wasn't super obvious that I was wearing lipstick.”

FITNESS ROUTINE: Kayla works out 6 days a week. Her workouts always include some strength training followed by about 45 minutes to an hour of cardio, usually in the form of a spin class or running.

FAVORITE PRODUCTS: “My every day facial cleanser is by Philosophy. It's the purity one-step facial cleanser. I love it because it has a nice, light fragrance, it's very gentle, and it leaves my face feeling really clean and refreshed. Another everyday product for me is the Lancome 24 Hour Foundation. I love it because a little goes a long way, it doesn't look like you're wearing make-up, and it gives a nice even coverage. One of my must-have hair products is the Simply Smooth Xtend Keratin Reparative Magic Potion. I get a keratin treatment on my hair about twice a year, and this helps the keratin stay in my hair longer to seal up split ends!”

ABOUT HER STYLE: “My favorite style is clean-cut...kind of preppy. I'm a lover of basics paired with funky jewelry. I also love workout clothes because they're comfy and cute.”

PASSIONS: Fitness, healthy cooking, and blogging. “Fitness started out to me as something to keep off the "Freshman 15" but unexpectedly became a huge part of my life. Fitness provides me with the opportunity to challenge myself, push myself and see progress. It relieves stress and builds confidence. Cooking in itself is enjoyable to me, but since I'm so interested in health and fitness, I have a passion for finding healthier ways to still enjoy those foods I always loved. Blogging is my way to share both my healthy cooking ideas and fitness routines.”

SHORT TERM GOALS: Getting a job using her personal trainer certification and graduating from college in two years.

LONG TERM GOALS: Starting a career, buying a new car, and getting her own place.

“My mom keeps me motivated to succeed in life. She has always worked very hard towards what she wants and to be able to give me what I want. She's smart and always tries so hard to "do it all" from work to home life. While that's physically impossible and she knows that, she comes incredibly close.”

Kayla and her mom in 2011.

Learn more about Kayla on her blog - Blondes Have More Run!

Learn about how Kayla supported and encouraged her best friend, Elyse, through her battle with cancer.

Would you like your selfie featured on A Cute Angle and have the chance to share your style and beauty tips? E-mail BloggerAsh703@gmail.com or head on over to Facebook!

Congratulations to Ashley from Mrs. Mama! She won the Fall Essentials Giveaway!

When the Hubby's Away (Five on Friday Link Up)

Happy Friday everyone! Nick left on Thursday for a four wheeling trip with his cousins in the U.P. (Upper Peninsula to non-Michiganders) which means it's just me and Scout this weekend! When the hubby's away...


//one// Take out! No cooking for me this weekend!


//two// Yard sale! I'm having the last yard sale of the season this Saturday. I hope I get rid of a bunch of stuff!


//three// Lifetime Movie Network.


//four// Knitting while watching Life Time Movie Network.


//five// Reading and relaxing. No obligations!

Don't forget to check back on Monday for the winner of the September giveaway! Happy weekend!

Dry Shampoo Who?

Dry shampoo can be a quick fix for when you strapped for time.  Over washing your hair can cause it to dry out and the color to fade. To preserve your color and maintain moisturized, sleek hair, it is best to wash your hair only two to three times per week.  The ingredients in dry shampoo soak up oil and dirt on the scalp. When your hair appears greasy, it’s usually just the roots that need to be refreshed. Applying a dry shampoo effectively soaks up any oil and dirt, leaving your hair looking refreshed and clean. Additionally, if you need to freshen up your locks on the go (after the gym, after work before a night out, etc.), dry shampoo serves as a fantastic option. Many busy women swear by dry shampoos.

Not this busy woman. Dry shampoos can cost anywhere from about $3 (Suave) to upwards of $30 (Tigi and Bed Head). I have found that the more expensive versions work the best. I usually wash my hair four times a week and the rest of the time I go for something like a dry shampoo. I found a more budget friendly alternative in ... BABY POWDER!

My boss and I were discussing beauty and hair products months ago. I told her about dry shampoo and she mentioned about how back when she was a teenager in the 80s and 90s that she used to use baby powder. That's when it hit me that they are basically the same idea. Both soak up/dry out oil. Commercial dry shampoos work great but most of them are just talc or baby powder combined with a fragrance. You can use baby powder for the same effect. With a little more research I found that recognizable brands not only make the aerosol, but also dry shampoo powders that are the same consistency as baby powder.

I have both a large container of baby powder and a travel size. It saves money to buy bigger and refill the smaller. Having the travel size is good for application so you don't over do it.

On days I do not wash my hair:
1. I lightly sprinkle the baby powder onto my roots

or

2. Rub it into my palms and then onto my roots 
3. I brush my hair root to tip until I can't see the powder anymore (you can also use a blow dryer if your brush or comb is not dispersing the powder they way you would like it to).

It's a simple as that! The smell is an extra perk! I love the fresh, clean scent of baby powder (the fragrance free version works the same)! Switching to baby powder has left me asking, "Dry Shampoo Who?"

Don't forget to enter the September giveaway!

Emmy Fashion 2013

I'm a sucker for awards season and of course the best part is the fashion! Last night the primetime Emmys aired and the celebs were out on the red carpet in full force. Today you'll find my picks for best and worst dressed. Enjoy!

Don't forget to enter to win in my fall essentials giveaway!

Worst Dressed

//5// Mayim Bialik

//4// Julianne Hough

//3// Amanda Peet

//2// Lena Dunham

//1// Connie Britton WORST DRESSED! in Naeem Khan

Green velvet - yuck! She has been so on point and stylish everytime that this dress is total fail in comparison. Sorry!

Best Dressed

//5// Brooke Burke Charvet

//4// Julia Louis Dryfus

//3// Zoey Deschanel

//4// Anna Gunn

//5// Tina Fey BEST DRESSED! in Narciso Rodriguez

Tina Fey looked hot, and those words usually don't end up in a sentence together. The color is great, it fits her like a glove, and doesn't show off too much skin. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Kudos Ms. Fey!

Did you watch the Emmys this year? Which looks did you like?

Literary Junkies Link Party

This link up went live last Tuesday, but I was in the middle of Fall Fun Week! I could not miss this link up (it's my favorite) so I'm making the deadline of Monday at 11pm CST! Better late then never. Enjoy!

There is still time to enter to win a fall essentials package. Check it out!

1. What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.

I have been on my library's wait list of this for at least 4 months. It finally became available to me this week! Can't wait to sink my teeth into it.

From Goodreads:

Sage Singer befriends an old man who's particularly beloved in her community. Josef Weber is everyone's favorite retired teacher and Little League coach. They strike up a friendship at the bakery where Sage works. One day he asks Sage for a favor: to kill him. Shocked, Sage refuses…and then he confesses his darkest secret - he deserves to die, because he was a Nazi SS guard. Complicating the matter? Sage's grandmother is a Holocaust survivor.

What do you do when evil lives next door? Can someone who's committed a truly heinous act ever atone for it with subsequent good behavior? Should you offer forgiveness to someone if you aren't the party who was wronged? And most of all - if Sage even considers his request - is it murder, or justice

 2. Autumn is coming! What’s your go-to drink when curling up with a book at night?

Chocolate milk!

 3. Printed books vs. e-books: What are the pros and cons of each?

I haven't gotten into e-books. I've never read a book in this format. There's just something about a book in my hand and building my library. I'm sure a Kindle or  Nook would be better for traveling though.

 4. Buying books vs. library books: Which do you prefer and why?

I like to buy books. This is why...

I hope to continue to build this for a long, long time. Although I love to buy books I usually go to the library (to be budget friendly). I like purchasing used books from Amazon. They are a steal!

Fall Fun Week: Fall Crafts

Fall wouldn't be complete with some awesome DIY projects! I've searched other blogs and Pinterest to bring you some of my favorites! Click the description below the picture for the entire scoop and the instructions.

Don't forget to enter to win a Fall essentials package!

Apple Stamped Banner

So many fall crafts are Halloween or leaf themed. This one is a great alternative and so easy you can involve your kids!

Mason Jar Lid Pumpkin
Bloggers love their mason jars. Here's a new, excited way to use them!

Subway Art Pumpkin
I love this alternative to carving a pumpkin. It's so sleek and modern you can even display this inside your house.

Ombre Leaf Wreath

I love this wreath because it takes a traditional fall item (leaves) and makes it fresh and unique by using an untraditional fall color. Have I mentioned my favorite color is purple?

Cooking Cutter Pumpkins

I should win the award for worst pumpkin carver on the planet. Mine always look like they were done by a 5 year old. Using cookie cutters makes carving easy and you're able to do all sorts of fun shapes!

Fall Wreath
This is a great traditional fall project. Who doesn't love the added detail of your initial?!

 

Book Pumpkin
This is my favorite! If you are a book lover and avid reader this is a great way to incorporate your interest into the season.

What projects are you working on this fall?

Fall Fun Week: Fall Fashion Essentials

Fall is fun for many reasons - pumpkins, Thanksgiving, the changing leaves, amazing new scents at Bath and Body Works, but nothing is better than fall fashion!

Don't forget to enter to win a fall essentials package!

Fall Tops

1. comfy pull overs // 2. long sleeve tees // 3. puffer vests // 4. sweaters

Fall Bottoms

1. jeans,jean, jeans! // 2. patterned tights

Fall Shoes

1. dress boots // 2. comfy boots // 3. moccasins 

Fall Accessories

1. Jewel Tone Collection Stackable Rings // 2. Jewel Tone Collection Gift Set (earrings and necklace) // 3. Faceted Geometric Statement Necklace //

4. convertible mittens // 5. scarves // 6. Essie – Mink Muffs // 7. Antiqued Leaf Chandelier Earrings // 8. Autumn Colors Drop Necklace

Fall Skin Care

1. Avon Care Silicon Glove Hand Cream // 2. Aquaphor

My Fall Favorite

Fall means jacket weather!
I purchased this Lost "Pax" jacket at a store called Shi by Journeys in my local mall a the very beginning of last spring. I wanted something that would be function yet stylish for our May trip to Europe. To be budget friendly, I usually choose a jacket that can be worn in Fall and Spring.
There are so many things I love about this jacket. First- the asymmetrical zip. It looks so cute if you where it zipped all the way or half way. I think the metal zipper gives it a little bit of and edge. It also has a nice cream color which is crisp for Fall yet soft for Spring!

Here I am wearing the jacket in Nuremberg, Germany.

What are some of your fall must haves?



Fall Fun Week: Giveaway and Recipe

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today's Fall recipe comes from my very best friend, Sara Jane. Sara Jane and I met when we were 12 (17 years ago!) and we were insperable before I moved to Michigan. She is the sweestest, most selfless human being you will ever meet, and I am honored she lets me call her my best friend! Sara Jane's Apple Crisp is the best I have ever tasted and always gets requested for fall gatherings.

Ingredients:

3 medium sized apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 c. flour

3/4 cup sugar

 1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Cinnamon

1 egg, beaten

1/3 cup butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix apples and brown sugar in greased baking dish, set aside. Mix flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Add egg and spread over apples. Pour melted butter on top. Bake for 45 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Fall Fun Week: "Apple Picking"

Has anyone heard of "Apple Picking" yet? I heard about this on the news last week. Both the Today show and ABC News has covered this new kind of theft. "Apple Picking" is the theft of Apple devices such as iPhones, iPods, and iPads and the illegal acts associated with the theft, which have included assault and murder. Here's the kicker - Apple Picking is the theft of smart devices while you are using them. Thieves are now stealing smart phones while people are talking on them! It makes for an easy theft because they can catch the owner completely off guard. Stealing the devices while they are active means they are not currently password protected, making it easy for these robbers to gain access to your personal information or completely wipe it clean to sell it second hand for a profit. A second-hand iPhone can yield $400!

Most incidents involve a quick grab and a clean get-away. Here's a common example: A thief approaches a device user sitting by the door of a subway car, snatches the device and exits just before the doors close. A lot of these thefts also involve violence. The Wall Street Journal ran a story of a  victim who chased a thief who had grabbed his date's iPad. The perpetrator got away and left him lying on the subway platform with a broken jaw. There was also a story about a 17-year-old boy in Toronto who was attacked with a machete when he refused to hand over his device. In New York, a chef named Hwang Yang was walking home from a subway stop when he was shot and killed for his iPhone. In a letter to major U.S. wireless carriers, a coalition of police chiefs from 70 metropolitan areas described Apple Picking as an epidemic and requested the companies take action.

Wireless providers in the U.S. are now creating databases so that when a device is reported stolen it can be identified and refused service. However, devices sold outside of the U.S. still cannot be tracked. In June Apple announced that they will equip its new iPhones with a "kill switch" that will render the devices useless if stolen. The switch will enable a user to deactivate a stolen cell phone via a website. It will prevent a thief from erasing the owner's data from the phone, even if the SIM card is removed. Once a user throws the kill switch, which Apple is calling an "activation lock," only the person who has the registered username and password will be able to unlock it or turn off a homing feature that allows the owner to find it via GPS.

Here are some helpful hints I came across to help deal with Apple Picking:

1. Make sure that you’ve set up an iCloud account. If you have iTunes, you probably already have one. All Apple device owners can set one up. To check whether you already have one, go to iCloud.com. iCloud stores all your information – it will be there even if your devices are stolen. You can also access your information on all your devices.
2. Turn on the “Find my iPhone” feature on your phone. If your phone is stolen or lost, you can track the location on the iCloud website. You can also use this feature to put a message and a phone number onto your phone if it was lost, so that the finder can contact you. (This is called “Lost Mode.”)
3. Through the “Lost Mode” you can also “lock” your phone once it’s lost or stolen. You do this by adding a passcode (or locking code) if there wasn’t one already on your device.
4. If you know your phone/iPad was stolen, alert police to the general location of the device. Police departments are becoming accustomed to dealing with this.
5. Put a passcode onto your phone as soon as you get it. If you don’t, the thief can wipe your phone clean immediately (by plugging into their computer and restoring factory settings). The passcode won’t stop more sophisticated criminals, but it will prevent many of them from being able to re-sell (making it more likely that you’ll get the phone back).
6. Register your serial number somewhere as soon as you get the device. If it’s stolen you can report it to the carrier, and the carrier will block that device from getting back on the network.
7. If you have data on the device that you’re worried about, you can go to iCloud and do a “remote clean” where you wipe all the data off the device.

Fall Fun Week!

Welcome to Fall Fun Week at A Cute Angle! We are all anticipating cooler weather, the changing leaves, fall scents and flavors, and apple and pumpkin season! Our weather is just staring to change here in Western Michigan. Last week we still had days in the 80s and 90s! However, we saw a major cool down over the weekend and next week looks to have temperatures in the 60s. Fall is coming!

A Cute Angle is celebrating the change in season with

Grab your PSLs and join me every day (!) for a fall inspired post and my very first giveaway.

Our first day of Fall Fun Week features an easy recipe made with staple fall flavors.

What better way to celebrate fall than with delicious muffins that combine the wonderful texture of apples with the warm taste of pumpkin. A simple streusel topping gives them a little something extra!

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar (or zero calorie sugar substitute)
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups peeled, cored, and chopped Granny Smith apples
           For topping:
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar (or zero calorie sugar substitute)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 teaspoons butter

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease muffin pan or use paper liners.

2. In a large bowl shift together the 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 cups of sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. In a separate bowl mix together oil, pumpkin puree, and eggs.

3. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture, stirring only to moisten. Fold in apple. Spoon into prepared muffin cups.

4. In a small bowl mix together 2 tablespoon of flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, and the 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cut butter into mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle topping evenly over muffin batter.

5. Bake in a preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean.

6. Enjoy the flavors of fall!

 

Share your favorite fall recipes here or on Facebook! 

Meet The Real Guy

I put out a call on my personal Facebook page for selfies to feature on the Selfie Esteem page. My friend Doug was the first to respond. As you've guessed, Doug is not a female and this is a lifestyle blog for women. What started out as a joke sparked an idea. Why not have a guy who I know is a genuine and honest person tell us about himself and give the male perspective (and it didn't hurt that the shirt he's wearing in his picture is my favorite color)! So, meet Doug...

Age: 29

Currently lives in Pennsylvania

Works in IT

Has a Bachelors of Music in Music Education and Masters of Science in Instructional Technology

What do you look for in a woman?

 I'm looking for a regular woman that likes to "doll-up" every once in a while but doesn't worry too much about what she looks like. I believe that all people are beautiful (I'm not much to look at myself), but it is important to have a "healthy" figure. This doesn't mean that she has to be skin and bones. She should have or be currently trying to get a college degree. Hopefully she has a full time job, but her wealth is not important. I have a dry sense of humor and hopefully she'll laugh at my corny jokes. I am open to the possibility of kids but they are not a requirement. The idea of my own offspring running around still scares me. I'm not much of a cook so unless you want she wants to eat really simple meals (or eat out and be broke) it might be a good idea that she can cook. Yes I know - typical bachelor.

Doug on his ideal date:

This is a question that can't be answered unless I know more about the person I'd be going out with. Generally it should contain an activity that she enjoys with dinner, lunch, or dessert. The date is all about trying to make her feel like the special person that she is.

What are your thoughts or feelings on girls picking the bad boys?

Everyone has different preferences. Sometimes people don't know what they want so they try something new because what they used to do is no longer working for them. Sometimes people like to keep the stereotypical gender roles. Sometimes people have a rough life and they don't know what they want so they take what they can get. A guy that appears "bad" could be the sweetest person on the earth in the inside. The same could also be true about the "good" guy actually being bad. Go for whatever makes you happy and hopefully that will continue to make you happy for a long time.

What is one thing that girls do that we think guys like, but they really don't?

Personally, it drives me crazy when a girl thinks that a house always has to be clean and always has to be tidy and always needs to look perfect. The way I see it, if everything is perfect, there is something that is being covered up. In my opinion, a house is supposed to look like people live in it. This does not mean that it needs to look dirty and trashy. There is a happy-medium that is in-between the two extremes.

What is a deal breaker for you and most guys in a relationship?

I can't answer this question for most guys. A deal breaker for me is that a relationship is supposed to be a team. I'm not the best cook but that doesn't mean that I hate being in the kitchen. What I am good at is helping to get the meal ready. I am also good at cleaning up things. If both partners in a relationship work together, using our strengths, then things get done quicker and they are more enjoyable. Teamwork is a must!

Have a question for The Real Guy? E-mail BloggerAsh703@gmail.com.

Friday Favorites Link Up!

Friday Favorites

Link Up

Happy Friday! Today I am linking up with Jennie from A Diary of Real Housewife to share some of my favorite things! This Friday I will be sharing some of my favorite guilty pleasures. We all have them, right?!  Enjoy...

Favorite

Guilty Pleasure Store

 

It’s Ulta! This store has pretty much any beauty product you can think of and carry almost any brand you can think of! Not only do they have standard make up and skin care lines, but they have hair accessories, hair removal systems, all your needed tools, and more! They carry their own ULTA line, CoverGirl, Smashbox, Urban Decay, NARS, CHI, Bead Head, Ralph Lauren, Prada, and Coach fragrances, Oscar Blandi, Benefit - and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Ulta stores also have an in house salon that provides hair coloring and cutting, waxing and nail services, and skin treatments! Needless to say I can get lost in this store and spend lots of money. If I need a pick-me-up I’ll stop by Ulta, browse, and treat myself to a little something.

 

Favorite

Guilty Pleasure

TV Show

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team (airs on CMT, reruns on Logo). Why do I love this show? It’s not only because of my dance and cheer background. I honestly love watching the audition process. I love watching the DCC machine widdle the field from hundreds of hopefuls to a squad of about 35. I think Kelli Finglass (the head of the DCC) is a kick ass lady – she’s honest and up front and I like that. She doesn’t mess around. Late for or miss a practice? You’re cut. Gaining a little too much weight or can’t shed the required amount? You’re cut. Provocative pictures of you on the internet? You’re cut. Can’t remember the routines? You’re cut. You don’t look good in the DCC uniform. CUT! I do admit, yes, I ogle some of those training camp candidates… I mean, dang, I wish I had the motivation to look like those girls. I get really excited as the season winds down and the girls get to do makeovers, uniform fittings, the team photo, and perform at their first game!

My favorite reality TV star has come out of the DCC organization – Melissa Rycroft. Remember her? After ending her time as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, she appeared and “won” Jason Mesnick’s season of The Bachelor only to be dumped on After the Final Rose for Jason’s runner up, Molly Malaney (Jason and Molly are now married and have a baby – in case you were wondering). Melissa went on to do two seasons of Dancing with the Stars and ended up winning the all-star season. She also had a short lived show on CMT with her husband and daughter called Melissa and Tye and has done some work for Good Morning America.

Favorite

Guilty Pleasure

Saturday Activity

 Whenever Nick is gone on a Saturday I grab my pillow, blanket, and snack, pick a spot on the couch, cuddle up with the dog, and turn on the Lifetime Movie Network. These movies can be kind of corny, yet the pull me in every time!!! They are really easy to veg out to. My college roommate and I would watch Lifetime movies every Saturday in the dorm while we ate our chicken sandwiches and French fries that we got from Gemmel (our student center). Oh, the memories!

What are some of your favorite guilty pleasures?

Share them here or on Facebook!