December 29, 2014

Starting A Resolution Revolution with The Giving Keys

December 29, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

There are some things in life that you simply can't pick yourself up from. Sometimes the hurt is too great, and you need to ask for help. 2014 had a lot of pain in it. Henry Cloud said, "We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing." That was the case in my life, and so I put myself in counseling, group therapy and marriage counseling. There was no way I was going to let pain sit on my heart and kill it slowly - the pain of was too great. I've been waiting for the right time to say something about this journey in counseling, and now it has arrived. I'm sharing this with you in hopes that, you would consider resolving to get your mind and heart to a place of peace for 2015. The reality is that we often can't do that on our own. Without a shadow of a doubt, I know I could not be in this place of hope and peace without the professional help of others.

So, what about this Resolution Revolution with The Giving Keys? Well, The Giving Keys is an inspirational company all about wearing and sharing hope in a fashion forward way. You can read all about their story here, but in a nutshell, The Giving Keys takes old keys that are scratched and scarred, and repurposes them into modern jewelry for men and women to wear. It doesn't stop there though, after you have worn your key for awhile you are encouraged to give it away to someone else that needs to wear that hope. There are all sorts of words that you can put on your key, and I have chosen the word "peace." It's a word I prayed a lot about, and I feel it's the word I meant to wear for the year so that I can share my journey to this place of peace. I by no means am "healed" from the pain, but I'm now equipped with a better understanding of myself and my faith in God so that I can have peace in the midst of the good AND the bad. It's truly a peace that surpasses all understanding that only God can give me.

So, what's your word? Think about it, share it and take part in this Resolution Revolution with The Giving Keys where we can inspire and bring hope to many people!

Here's what you can do:

1. Follow The Giving Keys on Pinterest.

2. Create a Pinterest board with your word for 2015 in the title along with the hashtag #ResolutionRevolution. Click here to see mine for an example.

3. Populate the board with inspiration that expresses your word (fashion, food, photography, decor).

4. Share it on Facebook and tag The Giving Keys in your FB post.

The Giving Keys will be selecting a winner from the entries, and that person will win a necklace with their word on it.

Photography by Melissa Jill. Get the Look: T-shirt and jeans from Shop Olive You, blazer from Nordstrom, Necklace from The Giving Keys, boots by Matt Bernson,

December 18, 2014

Glitter Challenge

December 18, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

About a month ago, I had the idea of challenging my Instagram community to create art using glitter. I said I would commit to sharing the projects of those that participated in the glitter challenge by blogging about them and pinning images from the creators' sites.

Here is the first submission from Amy Hanen of Amy Frances Photography and Malori Maeva of Hoot and Holler. They collaborated and included some of their friends, Taylor and Kristina. I LOOOOVE what they created.

Go check out their blog post for the full shoot, click here. What do you think the next creative challenge should be?

Photos by Amy Frances Photography

December 17, 2014

Health & Fitness Goals for 2015

December 17, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

This post is sponsored by Mountainside Fitness.

I know I might be jumping the gun by talking about my New Year's resolutions before Christmas has even happened, but I'm a planner. I just can't help myself. Not to mention, I'm kind of anxious to kiss 2014 good-bye and start fresh. There are many things to be thankful for this year, but emotionally, 2014 has been a hard one for me. So, here are 5 things I'm looking forward to doing in the next year to help my body.

View More: http://sarahgray.pass.us/avemtnside

1| Drink 3 glasses of water a day, every day. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but I hardly drink any liquids that aren't coffee. I'm dehydrated and I live in the desert. This can't be good for my skin or my body, so I'd like to change that by starting with an attainable and manageable goal of 3 tall glasses of water a day.

2| Run a 5K with my husband. Running a 5K is one of my husband's goals, and so I've made it one of mine as well. I'd love to accomplish such a big goal together.

3| Try TRX classes. I've been really interested in TRX training, and I would love to try out a class. I think it's going to be my new favorite workout style.

4| Try a spin class. I haven't tried a spin classes either. I'm intimidated by them, actually, but it's time to get over that fear.

5| Start using anti-aging products morning and night. All I do for my skin right now is wash it with soap and apply SPF in the morning. I'm starting to notice some deep wrinkles, and it's time to do something about it now.

Photos by Sarah Gray Portraits

December 15, 2014

Winter LBD 3 Ways

December 15, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

This post is sponsored by Synergy Organic Clothing.

I'm sure you have heard the acronym L.B.D. by now, but in case you haven't it stands for "little black dress." That's what every woman should have in their closet because it's a wardrobe staple that is incredibly versatile. When you find a great fitting black dress you can dress it up for a party, down for the weekend or make it sophisticated for the office. It's truly a woman's best friend.

So, I'm sharing with you today my long-sleeve winter "LBD" from Synergy Organic Clothing that I wear at least once a week if not more (shhhh!), and I'm showing you how I style it three different ways.

1| The Weekend LBD - I simply add my Moon Cats scarf and I am set for the day. I really love the tassels and the blue and red color combination. It makes me feel so French.

2| Work LBD - When I go to style for a shoot I have got to feel comfortable and move easily. This dress allows me to do that with a double slit. I paired my fuzzy vest to dress it up. Plus, having my hair pulled back makes everything look more sophisticated.

3| Party LBD - I don't like being cold, and I'm always freezing at winter cocktail parties because I pick a cute little dress. I finally get fed up about feeling cold and wear a jacket, but then my dress is covered up the whole time. This outfit is perfect for braving the temps and you don't need to worry about covering it up. I paired a white tuxedo jacket with my black dress and a black and white houndstooth clutch made by Sincerely Jenn to pull it together.

Photos by Amy Frances Photography

December 11, 2014

Exercises to Try Coming Back from a Break

December 11, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

This post is sponsored by Mountainside Fitness.

If you missed a week or two from the gym it can be a bit challenging to get back into the swing of things. I always feel a bit emotionally and physically discouraged, so I try to tackle exercises that will give me a good workout, but also aren't huge mountains to climb. I also will start my week back at the gym by working out my legs mostly because that's the strongest area of my body, and the area I feel most confident with.

WARM UP - Walk at a steep incline for 10 minutes on a treadmill. I usually set my speed to 4.0 and I set the incline to 8%. After five minutes you'll start feeling it. 10 minutes on a rowing machine is also a great way to get your heart pumping.

PLANKING - Every single time I go to the gym I spend time doing planks (center and left and right side planks). Try it. Spend 60 seconds in a center plank position, and then switch to your right side (hold for 30 seconds) and then your left side (hold for 30 seconds).

PUSH-UPS - Every workout I do push-ups. It's something that I have been committed to because they are the hardest exercise for me, and I never want to get back to a place where I can barely do 10 push ups. When I first started working out (this past May), 10 push-ups was my goal. Now 30 push-ups balanced on Bosu Ball is my goal. It works your core while working out your arms.

WALKING LUNGES - Lunges are one of my favorite exercises because I don't always feel the burn right away. The first set (20 walking lunges (10 for each leg)) always feels empowering and great. The second set is where the burn starts to kick in for me, but you're already committed. Make sure to rest in between sets for up to 30 seconds, and if you have it in you, go for three sets. You can also add weight with your lunges. I like to use sandbags, but dumbbells get the job done too.

ELEVATED HIP RAISES - I don't have much a of a butt, but I'm really trying to get one - or at least make what I have not jiggle. These elevated hip raises are awesome. You can even use a chair or a couch to do them. I do 3 sets of 15 hip raises.

ONE-LEGGED RESISTANCE BAND KICK-BACKS - I save these babies until the end because they are HAAARD. Three sets of ten on each side and you'll be burnin'.