June ILLUSTRATED ESSENTIALS

Most of us have a set routine, or a bunch of things that we do on a rotating basis and suddenly, we get used to it, can do it in our sleep and then BOOM, where is the fun?

Heyy hey hey, it’s summer people. June is just getting underway and the weather in NY is finally catching up with the month so this is the perfect time to infuse MORE fun into everything you do!

More fun in Meals: Summer-ize your dishes at every meal.

Think of more summer friendly meals like fresh tuna salad with cherry tomatoes, black olives and herbs. Skip the mayo to slash calories and (I think have a better tasting dish) sub in red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and djion mustard. You can even add gluten free or whole grain pasta to this to serve at family gatherings.

Add pops of color in every thing you eat. This means slicing up some bright watermelon, adding in some juicy cherries, plucking some ripe peaches, etc. Go crazy with bright fruits and add them to every meal or as a snack after meals.  The bright color alone will perk you up even before you take a bite.

Giving yourself and your family an unexpected healthy treat that leaves you feeling light as feather will spark some fun with the bright colors of the ingredients and the energy you will have after it.

Goddess moment: Taking care of your body like it’s a temple and feeding it colorful foods with essential nutrients will make your skin glow and help you drop those winter lbs in no time.

More fun in Work:  Take advantage of your lunch break, even if you have to work right through it.  Grab your ipad, notebook and some bright pens to do work in the sun, meet a friend or just take the long way to do some errands. Taking advantage of the extra vitamin d will go along way in the fun zone. You will feel energized; get a nice bronze glow (make sure to apply all-over SPF in the morning after your moisturizer so you can go anywhere, anytime in the sun) and you will get a burst of adventure doing something out of the ordinary in your daily work routine.

Even if you have your own business, getting outside is not just for those stuck in an office building but it is an amazing tool for entrepreneurs. Take time to get out, cut off all internet and cell phones for an hour and brainstorm some new fun ideas for your business.

Goddess moment:  The extra sunshine will give you a natural sunkissed tan and promote those happy chemicals to start firing since the sun greatly affects your mood.

More fun in Style and Fashion: Make sure to incorporate some brights, whites and metallics into any of your stand-out summer looks.

Go for bold incorporating a bright dress, clutch, necklace or just about anything to make in instant no-fail summer look.  A pop of color in your blush or lips will do just fine to stay on the more demure side.

White hot anything is still the hottest trend. All white errrthang paired with metallic flats, clutch or a cuff bracelet is goddess garb to the fullest.

Goddess moment: take a cue from the greek goddesses of times past. With so many new ways to incorporate this trend, it will keep you feeling fresh, shiny and new in an instant.

More fun in Romance: There was a song written about “Summer Nights” for a reason.  Summer nights, after work any time the sun goes down is time to dial up the flirt fest.  Grab your hottie and go for a long walk, let your convo melt in to talks of teenage dreams, summers past and dreamy futures.  Nights spend strolling around doing nothing are the best way to make memories and have them thinking of you the next day, all day long.  What are you waiting for, stir up your summer romance. Whether it be with your hubby, or newest fling, get your flirting in gear and make plans for your weekend at the beach.

Goddess moment:  Nothing is more flattering the moonlit glow on your dewy sunkissed tan. Grab a flowy skirt and speak slowly to have your sweetie visually see your outfit blowing in the wind and your poise, how much more goddess-like can you get?

More fun in Fitness: Get your flex on 4-5 times a week or more in the summer. Impromptu social gatherings, beach outings, crop tops and the hottest shorts trends will be flung on you in an instant.  Upping your work out sched will set the tone (pun intended) for your whole day, how proud of yourself you are, and how great you feel. You will be ready to take on anything and be well equip at being a gorgeous goddess all summer long.  All this equals never passing up on a fun opportunity because you will look and more importantly feel your best.

Goddess moment:  Feeling great about your body and feeling the endorphins after you workout will be a sure fire way to up your happiness quotient and all that work will make you look toned and tighter.

There is an inner goddess inside all of us, summer is the perfect time to unleash it.

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel and my new account for all things fashion illustration @EmilyBrickelillustration

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo

Emily