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Fitness Friday X

*original post

Welcome back to Fitness Friday! This is my monthly roundup of workouts, sharing my attempts at creating healthier eating habits, and some activewear out now! I did a few more home workouts than usual between some traveling and just busy weeks where I find it easier to make some quick workouts at home fit in my schedule. I think the holidays may make staying in my routine a bit of a challenge, but I also need to start challenging myself to go to sleep earlier. I got some great suggestions on a recent Instagram post, we will see if I can provide an update on how that goes next month. And in case you missed them, here are my fitness updates from September and October.

Workouts
Week of 11/4-11/11
"Jet, Set, and Tone" video on PopSugar Fitness
Hot yoga at VIBE5 Yoga and Fitness
Interval at AIR Aerial Fitness
HIIT Circuit at Ebb & Flow Movement Studio
Aerial yoga at AIR Aerial Fitness
FlyFit pop-up with Flywheel Sports at Legion Brewing

Week of 11/12-11/18
Air at AIR Aerial Fitness
Barre at First Wind Cycling and Fitness
Cardio dance with MisFIT Dance
HIIT Circuit at Ebb & Flow Movement Studio
Barre at AIR Aerial Fitness

Week of 11/19-11/25
Reform at Pure Barre
Ballet Fit Theory at Fit Atelier (my friend Sophie's new class, it's amazing!)
Home for Thanksgiving- gym time at my parent's country club
Yoga Sculpt on Obé Fitness
Define Sculpt on Obé  Fitness

Week of 11/26-today
Interval at Air Aerial Fitness
H3 (interval hot yoga) at VIBE5 Yoga and Fitness
Yoga sculpt on Obé  Fitness
HIIT Circuit at Ebb & Flow Movement Studio
SweatNET ambassador event at Ebb & Flow
Blacklight Chakti yoga with SweatNET Charlotte

I ended up with 21 workouts since my last post! I think that is pretty decent considering I was in Clemson one weekend, Atlanta another weekend, and spent a few days in Greensboro for Thanksgiving in the middle of last week. I also went to a fun SweatNET event with a quick workout and a little ambassador meetup this week. I'm also very excited for another round of blacklight Chakti yoga (that as this post is published) tonight! Those are just a few offerings along with the discounts I get on classes from being a SweatNET member. If you're local and into fitness, you should definitely join, here!

Food
  1. I didn't really try any new recipes or new foods since my last post, but I mentioned in my recent Day in My Life post that I have been meal prepping my lunches for work and trying to find alternatives to sandwiches. I have been consistent for about 3 weeks now with packing a hard boiled egg, an oatmeal almond butter bite (from this recipe), and some fruit. Usually an apple and grapes or strawberries, along with some Skinny Pop popcorn.
  2. I have mentioned in this skincare post (and I think a few of these recent fitness posts) that I have been limiting cheese, after I discovered it has been helping my skin (a lot!). Actually dairy as a whole, but cheese was the main issue for me. I have been pretty consistent with it this month, even at restaurants. Which I thought was going to be more difficult than it has been. For example, at a favorite Mexican spot I switched my favorite quesadilla and chips with queso to tacos without any cheese and chips with salsa. Or, I took the cheese out of a chicken sandwich at another restaurant. But again, I'm only limiting not completely cutting out dairy. So when I was with my family a few weekends ago and pizza was the only option, I still enjoyed the pizza! I also still regularly eat feta cheese with eggs and salads. I don't think I could ever give that up! Although I have seen some vegan cheeses I've been meaning to try, I'll report back if I end up trying any of them.
  3. I have also recently found two snacks that seem decently healthy for packaged snacks. I have been enjoying these quinoa chips that I first actually found at Rite Aid, but I also found at Whole Foods and Publix. And these s'more flavored rice cakes, which I weirdly enough have only seen at Rite Aid so far.
Activewear


Thanks for reading!

Gold Glitter Dress











 Photos by Deeana Kourtney Photography

Glitter dress c/o | Bow earrings c/o | OTK boots | Red lipstick

I've been posting these photos all week for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and now I'm finally sharing them on the blog! Christmas themed shoots are usually my favorites of the entire year, and this one was no different. Give me some sparkles and red bows, and you have a happy blogger! I think this glitter dress would be great for any holiday party, it also opens up in the back for another added detail. These earrings would also be a great touch to a simpler outfit to add a little holiday flair. And if you broke the bank buying gifts over the last few days, the dress and earrings are both under $20!



Thanks for reading!

Cyber Monday Sales


Happy Cyber Monday! I got a majority of my gift shopping done over the weekend, down to some White Elephant game gifts for holiday parties. Along the way I found some great deals on this workout tank and this top for work for myself. But I'm still checking out some of today's sales too, so here they are!!

Clothing and Accessories
Ann Taylor- 50% off and free shipping with code "CYBER2018"
Anthropologie- 30% off everything
Asos- 25% off with code "EPIC25"
Banana Republic- 50% off everything
Boden- 30% off and free shipping
Camilyn Beth- 40% off sale items
Draper James- 25% off with code "GATHERROUND"
Gap- 50% off everything
Old Navy- 40% off everything
Express- 50% off everything and free shipping
Forever 21- 30% off everything
Franceca's- 35% off entire site
H&M- 30% off everything and free shipping
J. Crew- extra 60% off sale styles and 50% off everything else with code "CYBER"
J. Crew Factory- 60% off site-wide with code "ADD2CART"
Lilly Pulitzer- Gifts with purchase
Loft- 50% off with code "CYBER"
Madewell- 25% off
Marley Lilly- up to 70% off and a free gift with $50 purchase
Modcloth- 30% off $100 and 40% off $200
Nasty Gal- 60% off everything
Ralph Lauren- 40% off purchase of $125 or more
Shopbop- extra 30% off sale items with code "WOW18"
Topshop- up to 50% off select lines
Tuckernuck- 20% off everything, 25% off order of $500+, 30% off $1000+
Urban Outfitters$10 off purchase of $50 or more, $25 off purchase of $100 or more, $50 purchase of $150 or more


Department Stores
Bloomingdale's- Take extra 25% off select styles for savings up to 60% off


Lord and Taylor- extra 25% off with code "CYBER"
Macy's- Doorbuster sales and 25-70% off clearance
Neiman Marcus Last Call- extra 40-80% off
Nordstrom-up to 60% off
Nordstrom Rack- extra 30% off clearance
Saks Off Fifth- up to 85% off clearance

Jewelry
Baublebar- 35% off everything with code "CYBER35"
Kendra Scott- 20% off any purchase, 25% off $100+ and 30% off $200+
Loren Hope- 20% off any purchase, 25% off $250+
Moon and Lola- 40% off everything with code "BESTMONDAYEVER"

Shoes and Bags
Gigi New York- up to 35% off site-wide
kate spade- extra 40% off sale styles and 30% off full price with code "MORECHEER"
Sam Edelman- 15% off $60 or more, 20% off $90 or more, 25% off $120 or more
Sole Society- 30% off all shoes and bags
Steve Madden- 40% off and free 2 day shipping with code "CYBER"
Tory Burch- 30% off $250+ with code "THANKS"

Activewear
Alo Yoga- up to 70% off sale and 30% off full price (plus a portion of proceeds benefits their goal to bring yoga to 2 million schoolkids!)
Athleta- 20% off with code "BOOST"
Bandier- 25% off site-wide
Carbon 38- 30% off with code "INDULGE30"
Finish Line- 20% off with code "CYBER20"
K Deer- up to 60% off clearance and extra 25% off with code "CMSALE25"
Onzie Yoga- 40% off with code "CYBER"
Outdoor Voices- extra 20% off with code "CYBERMONDAY"
Nike- 25% off select styles with code "CYBER"

Beauty
Benefit Cosmetics- 25% off everything
IT Cosmetics- 25% off any order over $30
Origins- 25% off everything and 5 piece gift set with $65 purchase
Sephora-free sample bag with $45 order or free trial size bag with $90 order
Stila Cosmetics- up to 85% off
Ulta- Free 22 piece beauty bag with $75 purchase, 40% off holiday collections

Thanks for reading!

Black Friday Sales


Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you're all enjoying some time off and eating all the food! I'm about to go peel some potatoes, but FIRST here are 50+ of the best Black Friday sales! Come back tomorrow, because I plan on adding a few that will not start until then!


Clothing and Accessories
Ann Taylor- 50% off with code "BLACKFRIDAY"
Anthropologie- 30% off everything
Asos- 25% off with code "EPIC25"
Banana Republic- 50% off everything
Boden- 30% off and free shipping
Camilyn Beth- 15% off purchase $100-$250, 20% off $251-$350, 25% off $351-$450, 30% off $451 or more
Draper James- 25% off with code "GATHERROUND"
Gap- 50% off everything
Old Navy- 50% off everything
Express- 50% off everything
Forever 21- Up to 80% off and extra 50% off sale
Franceca's- buy one get one 70% off
H&M- 30% off everything and free shipping
J. Crew- 50% off with code "TGIF"
J. Crew Factory- extra 40-50% off and up to 80% off clearance with "ADD2CART"
J McLaughlin- up to 40% off
Lauren James- up to 30% off
Lilly Pulitzer- Gifts with purchase
Loft- 50% off with code "THANKS"
Lord and Taylor- $25 off $200+ order and extra 40% off sale styles
Madewell- 25% off
Marley Lilly- up to 70% off and a free sherpa pullover
Modcloth- 30% off $100 and 40% off $200
Nasty Gal- 60% off everything
Ralph Lauren- 30% off purchase of $100 or more
Shopbop- up to 20% off full price items and up to 75% off sale items
Topshop- up to 50% off select lines
Tuckernuck- 20% off everything, 25% off order of $500+, 30% off $1000+
Urban Outfitters- Buy one get one 50% off


Department Stores
Bloomingdale's- 15% off $100-$249, 20% off $250-$399, 25% of $400 or more
Macy's- Doorbuster sales
Neiman Marcus Last Call- extra 40% off
Nordstrom-up to 60% off
Nordstrom Rack- extra 30% off clearance
Saks Off Fifth- up to 90% off clearance

Jewelry
Baublebar- 35% off everything
Julie Vos- up to 25% off select styles
Kendra Scott- 20% off any purchase, 25% off $100+ and 30% off $200+
Loren Hope- 20% off any purchase, 25% off $250+
Moon and Lola- 30% off everything with code "TGIBF"

Shoes and Bags
Gigi New York- 30% off all black bags
kate spade- 30% off with code "GIVECHEER" and up to 75% off Surprise Sale
Sam Edelman- extra 30% off with code "SAMSGIVING"
Sole Society- up to 60% off
Steve Madden- 35% off and free 2 day shipping with code "THANKS"
Tory Burch- up to 60% off with code "THANKS"

Activewear
Alo Yoga- up to 70% off sale and 30% off full price (plus a portion of proceeds benefits their goal to bring yoga to 2 million schoolkids!)
Athleta- 20% off with code "BLISS"
Bandier- up to 70% off
Carbon 38- 30% off with code "INDULGE30"
Finish Line- up to 50% off
K Deer- 25% off with code "BF25"
Onzie Yoga- 40% off
Outdoor Voices- up to 40% off select styles
Nike- extra 20% off select styles

Beauty
Benefit Cosmetics- 25% off everything
IT Cosmetics- 20% off sitewide
Origins- 25% off everything and 12 piece gift set with $75 purchase
Sephora-up to 50% off
Sigma Beauty- 30% off everything
Stila- 30% off and free shipping
Ulta- Take $3.50 off your $15 purchase

Thanks for reading!

Teeth Whitening for Coffee Stains + Giveaway


If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you probably know that I can't get through the day without coffee. Over time, that starts to show on my teeth. I've tried some whitening strips at home several times over the last few years, but I never really saw any results. So when Smile Brilliant asked me to test their whitening kit, I had to say yes! As you may have seen from my recent fitness posts, I have been doing a lot of work on my physical health from workouts to eating healthier. I also recently talked about finally having some control over my acne in my twenties. So a whiter smile would definitely add even more to my increased confidence!

I was actually considering asking my dentist about their whitening options just before I was asked to test the Smile Brilliant kit. I was prepared to spend a decent amount of money because as I mentioned earlier, was not seeing results from store bought kits. However this kit is comparable to what would cost $500 or more at a dentist's office, that also works up to 5x faster!

Smile Brilliant sends a kit in the mail to make a mold of your teeth for custom fitted trays. If you had braces like I did, you may not have great memories of having molds made. But don't worry, this process is much easier! Just drop your molds in the prepaid mailing envelope and they will return your custom trays with whitening gels and sensitivity gels. They recommend using the treatment for any range from 45 minutes-3 hours. 

Just apply a thin layer of whitening gel in the trays and you're all set. I usually did the treatment either at night while watching TV, or as I was getting ready for work in the morning. I personally do not have much teeth sensitivity, but I do have a history of gum sensitivity. I had a gum graft on my lower front teeth due to some recession earlier this year, so I did experience some sensitivity there during this process. However the sensitivity gel provided in the kit was very helpful. I also realized that was only an issue when I wore the trays for a longer period of time, closer to the 2 hour mark. I started to consistently wear them for more of a 45 minute to 1 hour range, and no longer felt any sensitivity.

Overall, I am very happy with my end results! As shown below, I notice a BIG difference and am so glad I tried it! The team at Smile Brilliant wants to give YOU a chance to try it too! You will receive a $149 credit, which is the value of the T3 Sensitive System. Giveaway open to US, Canada, UK, and Australia residents! Enter HERE! You can also use code "caralinastyle15" for 15% off!



Thanks for reading!
Professional Teeth Whitening

Staying In a Workout Routine During the Holidays








Photos by Deeana Kourtney Photography

Ellie Activewear set c/o | Nikes

As this post is going live, I will be in a workout class, my last one before Thanksgiving! I'm heading to Greensboro for a little bit, for some family time and lots of food! My work schedule requires me to be back in Charlotte by Friday, but I will be away from my regular studios for a few days over the holiday season. Or as I'm seeing this week, my regular studios only hold classes during the hours I am at work. So to keep up with my workouts, I plan on using some of the apps and videos I mentioned in this post from October.  I know it is common to keep up with workouts during the holidays to cancel out extra holiday food, but I personally just really enjoy having some movement in my day. I also have a pretty crazy few weeks coming up at work, so I am more prepared for the day if I work out before I head to the office. Or, I can look forward to ending a work day with some movement. Or for an added bonus (that may be extra helpful for this time of year), a little movement usually cures hangovers for me! So check out my Insta stories to see if I can keep up, I'll be reporting back during my next Fitness Friday post!

Holiday Style Picks Under $50

Tulle skirt ($30) | Plaid pants ($35) | Ribbon earrings ($30) | Sequin leggings ($40) | Sequin skirt ($18) | Plaid hair tie ($17) | Glitter flats ($45) | Plaid loafers ($40) | Velvet top ($49) | Lace dress ($27) | Embellished sweater ($40) | Plaid hem sweater ($30)

It's finally time for holiday style!! If I can't wear summer clothes anymore, I will gladly wear plaid, sequins, velvet, and all of the shades of red! I like to buy a few very "holiday" pieces each season and I mix them up over the next few seasons for various occasions. So, I try not to spend too much when I may only wear some of these pieces for one or two events. I have been looking around and found these pieces that are all under $50 to consider for your holiday parties this year! Most of them are on sale today, but as we go into Black Friday/Cyber Monday, some of them may be marked down even more soon!




Thanks for reading!

Thanksgiving Dinner Outfit Ideas

Well November has been flying on by, how is Thanksgiving next week?! I'm very excited to spend some time with family, and of course eat all the food! After that trip home, I'm also excited to stay put in Charlotte for a few weeks. I have done quite a bit of traveling throughout the fall, including this upcoming weekend I'm going to Atlanta! It has been so much fun, but it will be very nice to spend a few weekends in my city. Anyway, here are some outfit ideas for Thanksgiving day, if you're like me and also like to dress up to go sit in your dining room! Comfy dresses are the way to go, but I'm also sharing some of my past looks with jeans in them for some more casual looks.










Similar sweater dress | Boots | Similar necklace


Top | Similar coat | Jeans | Similar boots


Dress | Similar booties | Similar scarf


Sweater | Skirt | Boots | Necklace

Thanks for reading!

Fall Ruffle Skirt + A Classic Sweater









Photos by Deeana Kourtney Photography

J. Crew Factory "Flounce" skirt | Ralph Lauren sweater | Steve Madden boots | Coach bag c/o | Baublebar for Target necklace c/o | Prada sunglasses

You may remember a navy ruffle skirt from last year I wore in this post and as part of my Winter Workwear Capsule Wardrobe?  Well, the skirt is back for the outlet version this year, and available in several colors! I have loved wearing this burgundy one, and I may still be a little tempted to buy this houndstooth one or the faux suede. I've paired it with this sweater I've now owned for 9 years! That's right, I bought this sweater in 2009, during a back to school shopping trip for my sophomore year of high school. It is 100% cashmere and has worn quite well! I found it at a Polo Ralph Lauren outlet, so the best part is that I only paid $30 for it! Gotta love a good outlet find, this sweater still sells for $180 retail. Even for that full price, I think cashmere is worth an investment! On the other hand, a piece I thought would last a long time but have not held up very well are these over-the-knee boots. The next pair I buy will have a drawstring or elastic panel along the back. I bought this pair during the Nordstrom sale last year, and the elastic that goes above the knees was unfortunately wearing out by the end of winter. If anyone knows of a pair that comes in a size 5.5 and under $150, please let me know!




Thanks for reading!