Archives for February 2021

5 MINUTE MAKEUP ROUTINE FOR BUSY WOMEN

Who else is just treading water….trying to juggle all the things? Even though the pandemic has slowed things down in some ways, it has also made life more complicated. Most of us are busier than ever trying to navigate it all.

Even at home, I still want to look and feel my best. Excited to share my 5 minute makeup routine for busy women! This simple routine is the perfect way to feel great even if you are staying in all day. It also works for daytime errands too!

Click on the widgets below to shop all my favorite items for glowy skin!

I keep my daily routine minimal. I use makeup to even out my skin tone, cover blemishes and make me feel and look refreshed all day long. I also have eyelash extensions, which make my eyes look brighter without daily mascara or shadow.

I have noticed my skin taking on more texture I’ve aged. Mine shows up most around my eyes and lips, where my skin is the thinnest. That’s why I prefer creamy formulas instead of foundations. Honestly, I prefer creams over powder-based makeup in general because it doesn’t settle into the little fine lines on my face.

I start with clean and moisturized skin and apply a bit of Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation in medium. It’s super lightweight but still offers enough coverage. I have very fair skin so I like mixing it with a bronzer on my hand first and then blending it onto my face with The BK Beauty Makeup Blender.

My favorite bronzer is Sisley’s Phyto-touche Bronzer Gel. It’s a bit pricey but worth it! A dab will do ya – don’t use too much, maybe a pea-sized amount. I mix some face oil into the bronzer during the winter, when my skin is dry. The Beautycounter brightening facial oil has vitamin C and makes my skin look plump. I dab a bit of bronzer on the back of my hand, drop in a bit of oil and apply it to my face with my beauty blender. For summer I switch to the Kiehls Daily Revival Anti-Aging Oil. It leaves my skin feeling dewy, but is light enough that it doesn’t clog my pores.

Next up – concealer! Believe it or not, I am actually recommending a drug store brand! My favorite is the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer – I love the spongey tip applicator and the neutralizer color matches my skin perfectly. It’s super affordable and effective – never cakey! Dab the creamy product under your eyes and over blemishes and use the BK Beauty blender to smooth it all in. It’s very natural looking!

I cover up blemishes with Becca Concealer. Apply a small amount on sunspots, blemishes, red spots and boom – they disappear! Again, I love the creamy formula because doesn’t highlight all the texture on my face.

Now let’s talk about eyebrows! My favorite eyebrow brush is the Anastasia Brow Wiz in the color blonde. It really defines my brows with a very natural color. I swipe on just a bit of brow gel to hold my brows in place all day long without any flaking.

The Beauty Counter Cream Blusher in Carmel is the perfect neutral warm color for winter. I apply this with my fingertips, dabbing it across the cheekbones for a really natural look. To add a little highlight, I swipe a tiny bit of the Stila Hue Highlighter Bronzer on with my BK Beauty brush.

I switch to a pink hue on my cheeks for the summertime. My all-time favorite color is Orgasm by Nars. It’s very natural looking with just a hint of shimmer.

Can’t forget to mention this makeup mirror – it’s one of my favorite new things! (Oprah agrees, it made her favorite things list in 2019.) It’s the Riki Loves Riki skinny mirror. (Thanks for the recommendation @lisajbeauty.)

Reasons why this mirror is amazing:

thin size and comes with an adjustable stand that fits easily on bathroom counter
built-in and natural LED light with 5 stages of brightness
3x magnifying mirror built-in
Built-in FaceTime and selfie clip
comes in a small travel size too!

Ok the final touch to my daily routine is a bit of lipgloss! I prefer gloss over lipstick because my skin and lips are super dry. Citybeauty makes a fantastic lip plumper line. It comes in 15 colors, is long-lasting, and isn’t sticky!

I often apply the clear on top of my other glosses for the plumping effect. There are also shimmer and opaque colors too. The ingredients in this gloss plump and hydrate lips and smooth out my fine lines too.

Click here and use code DONNA at checkout for 25% off this gloss! I swear it’s my non-surgical lip plumper!

Ok ya’ll…..I promise this routine takes less than 5 minutes – and then you are ready to go for the day! I hope this gives you some ideas on how to switch up your makeup routine! Want more ideas on how to look your best everyday? One of my favorite makeup bloggers of all time is Lisa J….she has the best tips! I love watching her Youtube videos. One of my favorites is her tutorial on maturing skin! Watch it here. I also recommend my latest blog post on my beauty secrets to help you look 10 years younger.

Thank you so much for reading and for all your support. Sending much love from downtown Austin, TX.

My Favorite Green Juice You Will Love

I have a confession…I don’t like vegetables. I drink a green juice or smoothie to get the vitamins and minerals that I need to stay healthy. That is why I am sharing the recipe for my favorite green juice you will love.

Not only is it an excellent way to get in a bunch of green goodness, but there are a whole host of benefits that come along with green juice.

One key thing to remember: keep the sugar content in your green juice very low. I know what you are thinking, doesn’t it taste funky without some sweetness? The more you drink green juices the more you get used to the taste, just like anything else. I love adding a low sugar fruit to naturally sweeten a juice like an apple, lemon, lime, and any berry.

HEALH TIP: add some pineapple to aid digestion. Some greens make me feel bloated and gassy.

Pineapple contains a natural enzyme called bromelain that stops the tummy woes from green veggies. It does have a higher sugar content than many other fruits, so I use it sparingly.

WHICH JUICE IS BEST?

Green juices can be high in sugar. I like to stick to water-filled green veggies such as spinach, kale, celery, cucumber, and broccoli. To sweeten any juice, I like to add in an apple, pear, or frozen banana or a few chunks of pineapple.

Green juice on an empty stomach is a great way to absorb all the nutrients and get your daily fiber intake.

I typically use my Vitamix blender – if you don’t have one y’all – omg this blender has been life-changing! It’s worth every penny. Blends so smoothly – almost the consistency you would get at a smoothie or juice store.

BENEFITS OF GREEN JUICE

Here are some of the amazing benefits of drinking green juice every day:

IMPROVES YOUR DIGESTION
Over 70% of our immune healthy comes from our gut, and green juice is packed with enzymes that are great for digestion. Drink up!

STRENGTHENS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Green veggies are packed with an essential nutrient called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is great for boosting energy, improving overall health, and fighting illness. It can also boost red blood cell production and assist cells in carrying oxygen around the body.

HEALTH TIP: I often take a chlorophyll supplement when I am heading on any ski trip. It oxygenates my blood and keeps me from feeling the effects of the altitude. This is the one I love:

IMPROVES YOUR SKIN
Green juice boosts hydration and is packed with antioxidants that help flush out toxins from the body. I can really notice a difference in my skin when I have green juice every day.

FIGHTS INFLAMMATION
Inflammation is the root cause of many preventable diseases. Green juices help fight inflammation by fighting the free radicals attacking the body. I have noticed that I am sick less often and have more energy when I started drinking one every day.

To make my favorite green juice recipe, just combine the ingredients below into a Vitamix. Y’all this blender is life-changing! I highly recommend getting one…I use it to make all kinds of things like soups too. Looking for more Vitamix recipes click here.

Important tip: Do not add citrus peels to the juicer or blender. Remove the skins and add the whole lemon or lime in or just squeeze the juice into the blender.

MY GREEN JUICE RECIPE

2 cups organic spinach
1 cup organic kale
1 whole organic cucumber
1 thumb size of organic ginger, peeled
the juice of one lemon
1/2 organic apple
a tiny bit of pineapple

Want to change this up and make it into a green smoothie? Simply add a bit of banana. I like to freeze mine – it makes the consistency very creamy. Bananas are very high in natural sugars, so use them sparingly. I add about 1/3 to 1/2 of a banana per serving.

Hope you enjoyed this blog post! Want more and wellness inspiration? Here is another article about the benefits of green juice. Be sure to head over to Instagram and follow me @donnatryba or check out this blog post that offers some easy tips on getting healthy this year.

Thanks for reading along friends. Sending you good vibes from downtown Austin, Texas.

The Best Athleisure Outfits to Dominate Your Workout

Does clothing affect your mindset like it does mine? When I have a new outfit to sport, I’m always more excited and motivated. This includes the gym too. Exercise requires so much energy, so putting on the sweats you have been wearing for the past three days is an energy-zapper!

Getting over the holiday health slump is hard! For this reason, I try to invest in lots of new workout gear at the beginning of each year. When I put on something I feel really good in, my mood is immediately boosted! That is why I’m excited to share the best new athleisure outfits to dominate your workout.

The good news is: you don’t have to break the bank to look good while you sweat! There are so many affordable styles to choose from right now. I tend to favor high quality pieces that will last, because I wear them every single day. But, if you are shopping on a budget, I’ve included some items that are affordable and still chic!

Click on the clothing pics below to shop any of these styles!

ATHLETA

They have classic styles and high quality workout clothes I have loved for years. The fabric is such high quality, doesn’t shrink or fade. This pattern is sold out but I am linking the updated style.

CARBON 38

The crop tops have built in shelf-bras and I love that! They wash and wear brilliantly without fading.

Hands-down the prettiest workout gear I own. I love the bold colors. Fits snug so you might want to size up, but they really hold you in! I’m only 5’2″ so I’m wearing an xxs bottom and small top. The crop tops have built in shelf-bras and I love that! They wash and wear brilliantly without fading.

Chilly weather tip: add a puffer or sherpa coat. This is such a fun way to switch up your look and add some flare to your athleisure outfit. I love this how great this cream sherpa coat looks with any bold color. Click on the clothing pics below to shop any of these styles!

When I’m wearing bold colors, I wear a neutral sneaker. My fav all time is this Adidas Ultraboost. It’s like walking on air.

OUTDOOR VOICES

One of my all-time favorite brands! I love the simple and minimalist designs that allow me to dress for comfort but still look stylish. Their leggings have a bit of extra compression that is slimming but not restrictive.

True confession……I sweat like a man y’all! I often wear this brand when I am doing extreme cardio, like going for a run or to a spin class. Their clothing is made from something they call Tech Sweat, which is a lightweight and breathable fabric that wicks the sweat from my body. No more sweat rings.

AMAZON

Ok y’all these are my favorite budget friendly finds ever! This whole look is $40! The leggings come in full length and crop version and have one style that features pocket.

I wear the xxs – I’m only 5’2.” I have them in 4 colors and have washed and dried them many times, they don’t shrink or fade.

This crop is so dang cute and comes in like 5 other designs. It has a built-in shelf bra too. I’m wearing a size small, I’m a 34C cup. Honestly the straps were a little long and aren’t adjustable so I just put a little stitch in the back to make it fit me a little better. Totally worth $20.

Click on the clothing pics to shop any of these styles!

Hope this inspires you to try out some new workout gear – it sure helps me feel motivated. Looking for more fitness inspiration? Check out my blog post on 7 daily habits I created that have helped me lose weight and keep it off!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @donnatryba. I post workouts and other health tips there everyday! Sending good vibes from downtown Austin, Texas.

7 Daily Habits To Help You Lose Weight in 2021

Motivation is bullsh*t.

Thank you Mel Robbins for teaching me this years ago. It’s a scientific fact that your brain is hardwired to protect you from harm, even if you are not truly in danger. Your instinct is to avoid fear, uncertainty and discomfort.

Once I realized this…I gave myself grace. Self awareness is a big deal y’all. I am not lazy…. I am just built to resist hard things.

I do not expect to be motivated everyday so I developed a few simple habits that helped me lose 12 pounds and keep them off while overcoming anxiety and postpartum depression.

Through daily intentional practice, these habits have become automatic. For example, exercise is now like brushing my teeth. It’s not if….it’s when.

I am so excited to share my 8 daily habits to help you lose weight now. It really is about the little things…they add up to big things along the way. 20 minutes a day for 52 days is almost 1000 hours you have spent on your health in one year.

PROTEIN AT EVERY MEAL

Eating protein keeps my metabolism high, refuels my body and rebuilds muscle. It keeps my stomach fuller longer so I’m satisfied and not starving all day long.

I eat a lot of yogurt and oatmeal for breakfast. I add almond butter for protein and fat. If I eat eggs at breakfast, I throw in some spinach top and top it with cheese.

I also love a smoothie. One of my favs is one I call “peanut butter and jelly.” Ingredients: chocolate protein powder, unsweet almond milk, frozen blueberries and 1/3 of a frozen banana for creaminess. I throw it in my vitamix and drink it often after a workout or as a meal replacement.

Ok about this blender….I can’t even tell you what a game changer it is! I can manually control blending speeds and mix just about anything: cold cocktails, chip dips, cake batter and soups. The texture is amazing and it’s worth every single darn penny.

For lunch, I love a quick salad. I buy a rotisserie chicken and use it all week long for salads with chickpeas, edamame, tomatoes, and cucumbers. I also use the chicken to make a quick tacos with a low carb tortillas, some cheese and salsa.

SLOW MINDFUL EATING

I am not good at this y’all. Juggling all the things: two girls, running my business, taking care of a cat and a now a puppy. Sometimes I am just grabbing the quickest thing to eat at my computer while I’m working.

This often leads to over eating or making poor choices. According to Harvard Medical School, digestion involves hormonal signals between the gut and the nervous system, and it takes about 20 minutes for the brain to register satiety (fullness).

I am learning to slow down. Take my time. Enjoy my food at each and every meal and be a more mindful eater! One resource I’m loving is this article from Harvard Medical School – check it out for more tips, they have really helped me!

CONSISTENT WEIGHT TRAINING

This one has come easy for me. I absolutely love working out with my trainer! I love the burn and the sweat and look forward to the challenge. I often take out my anxiety in the gym. Building physical strength has helped me build mental strength.

It’s expensive and I budget for it. I understand that its not always an option. The good news now is there are so many resources out there!

I love Jillian Michaels workout app…. she is such a freaking inspiration and her workouts are flexible and appropriate for all fitness levels. Youtube has some great workout videos. My favorite ones are from PopSugar.

You don’t have lift heavy weights. Just be consistent and learn how to use good form with small hand weights. I have some simple beginner bodyweight routines saved on my Instagram highlights @donnatryba that are easy to do at home. Check them out!

GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP

I aim for a minimum of 7 hours every night….8 on a good day! On days I don’t sleep well, I’m starving and crabby all day long. I overeat and have trouble focusing.

I developed a nightly routine to keep me on track: put my girls to bed around 8:30, wash my face, put on jammies and crawl into bed with Andy. We hang out, watch a show or read until around 10:30 and then it’s lights out.

It’s so tempting to keep scrolling y’all I know! I PUT MY PHONE ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER AT 9PM and I don’t touch it again until the morning. It’s the only way I can control the urge – ha!

DONT DEPRIVE YOURSELF

Date nights with my hubby are one of my biggest indulgences. He and I love to experience new and exciting restaurants in Austin because we are I both foodies at heart

Restricting foods from my diet has never worked for me. I end up binge eating! There is nothing better to me than a great meal, an amazing bottle of wine, chocolate cake for dessert and my cute hubby there to enjoy it with. A restrictive diet isn’t sustainable long term.

GET SUPPORT

My girl tribe keeps me in line! We often work out together which has been so important for accountability. There are days when I absolutely do NOT want to get out of bed, but knowing that I committed to a workout class with a friend gets my butt up and out the door.

INTERMITTENT FASTING

I follow an 8/16 intermittent fasting plan, which is eating during an 8-hour window and fasting for the other 16. Fasting has made me eat fewer meals, which is an easy way to cut calories. I tend to snack a lot so when I am only eating during an 8-hour window, it really did reduce my calories fast! I know it is not for everyone but it is an amazing solution if you are looking to cut your calorie intake and lose weight quickly.

Here is the schedule I follow: breakfast at 10 am, lunch at 1 pm, a very small snack sometimes at 4 pm, and dinner at 6 pm. Some people choose to skip breakfast and fast from noon to 8 p.m., while others avoid eating late and stick to a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.

Thank you all so much for reading! I hope this gives you some practical ways to lose weight and get healthier. If you try any of these tips and find them helpful please share them on Instagram and tag me @donnatryba.

Want more fitness inspiration? Check out this blog post on how I lost the guilt and lost the weight!

Sending good vibes from downtown Austin, TX!

Six Beauty Secrets to Help YOU Look 10 Years Younger

Who else thinks that if you look good you will feel good? I sure do!

I have a few tricks that really help me feel more youthful and confident as I move into middle age. I am sharing my beauty secrets to help you look 10 years younger. Be sure to browse the widget picture round-ups in each section to shop my favorite items!

Whiten Your Teeth

Your smile is typically the first thing people notice about you. Nothing ages you faster than yellow or discolored teeth and it happens to all of us as we age.

I love red wine, tea and I drank my fair share of diet cokes in my 20’s and 30’s while yo-yo dieting. These dark drinks can really stain your enamel.

To keep my teeth white I have tried a variety of things. Crest white strips work really well for a home remedy, just a bit messy.

I love the whitening gel I get from my dentists office. I also use a daily whitening toothpaste for maintenance.

Tighten Your Skin

I’ve started using a body tightening lotion from Skinceuticals twice a day on sagging skin and have loved my results. The difference is subtle, but this cream has also worked well on cellulite too.

I aint gonna lie – it’s pricey but it’s worth it! It contains ingredients that penetrate the epidermis to tighten my skin and make it appear more firm and youthful.

If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, a cream with caffeine also temporarily tightens skin. I love the one by Fab Girl Slim.

Use a Retinoid

Why? Because as we age, our cellular turnover decreases significantly. When we are babies, our cellular turnover is as quick as 2 weeks — but once you’re in your 20s-40s, it’s more like 1-2 months!

Be careful with these! It will make your skin flaky and red a first… so start slow and work your way into a routine. I started using it once a week – just a small amount – on clean skin after my moisturizer.

Start with .25 or .5 and work your way up to the 1% about once or twice a week.

Save Your Face

I went to a new dermatologist right after I had my first baby at 34. I remember him asking me if I slept on my right side. I said yes…how did he know? And he said, “I can see the lines on your face.” Yikes!

I’m sure it was a sales pitch – but it sure worked on me! He sold me this pillow and it truly has saved my face from the permanent wrinkles that come from smashing your face into a pillow all night long. It does take some getting used to, but nothing that I found myself losing sleep over – ha!

I place this on top of my regular pillow and even though it takes a couple nights to adjust to it and I can’t live without it.

Stay Hydrated

We also often confuse thirst for hunger which can lead us to overeating. I fill up a water bottle and drink it all day long.

I love the ones by Swell – they really keep your drinks cold for hours and are worth the price!

Don’t Neglect Your Neck

This is one of the first places we age, because we tend to neglect this area.

The most important things I apply to keep the saggy skin away : Nectfirm and TNS serum. I slather both all over my face and my neck everyday.

I totally swear it’s worth every penny. I have been using it for years, night and day, and I have almost no lines on my neck at all.

Complete transparency: I also do get a little bit of botox on my neck for wrinkles, but this stuff is the key to keeping your neck looking youthful long-term.

I hope this inspires you to create your own self care routine that helps you look and feel your best! I Be sure to follow me on Instagram @donnatryba where I share more about fashion and fitness. Want more beauty tips? Check out this article about the best anti aging skincare for maturing skin.

Until next time my friends. Sending much love from downtown Austin, TX.