Life

DIY Bleach Tie Dye

Tie dye is making a come back and I’ve fallen victim to buying just about every comfy tie dye piece out there which is very annoying because everywhere that sells these cute lounge sets are outrageously priced! Thanks to TikTok, we found an easy way to make them at home and since a lot of us are stuck inside, might as well get crafty! And the good news is that chances are you already have everything at home to make these. Just use an old pair of sweats, tee or tank and add bleach!

You’ll Need:

– garment of your choosing (see below for suggestions)
– bleach
– squirt bottle (we used this)
– gloves
– rubber bands

Instructions:

I suggest watching a few Youtube videos on different tying methods before starting as this will determine what type of tie dye your garment ends up looking like. I found this video to be very helpful. You can also watch a how to video of our DIY creations here and here.

Once you decide what tying method to use, simply twist, bunch and tie off your garment with rubber bands. Depending on how large you garment is and what design of tie dye you want will determine how many bands you will want to use. For reference, we used anywhere from 4-6 bands on each garment.

Before you start bleaching, make sure you are wearing gloves and working outdoors or in a well ventilated area. We chose to work in our laundry room sink with the vents turned on.

Fill your bottle up with 1/2 bleach and 1/2 water and set aside. Before adding the bleach to your garment, you are going to want to completely soak the garment with water so that it is wet. If you apply the bleach mixture to the dry garment it will not apply evenly.

Once the garment is wet, start adding the bleach mixture anywhere that you want but making sure to leave some areas without bleach so that you don’t die the entire garment. A good rule of thumb is do add your bleach mixture to every other segment that you’ve created with your rubber bands.

After you’ve applied your bleach mixture and set it aside, make sure to watch very carefully. Depending on what the fabric is made of and how thick it is will determine how quickly the color will start turning. Poly blend fabrics will take longer for the bleach to soak in while 100% cotton fabrics will turn much faster. How long you leave the bleach on is going to be up to you! For thinner items, we left the mixture on for about 10 minutes while the poly blend sweatsuits took more like 30 minutes. Just make sure not to leave it on too long or the bleach can deteriorate the garment.

Once the color is to your liking, give the garment a quick rinse and take the rubber bands off. Thoroughly rinse and the garment again until the water runs clear. At this point you can wash and dry your garment as normal! Washing tip: if you are tie dying multiple items at once I would suggest washing similar colors together as they do change a little in the wash. Also do NOT wash your bleached garment with any other garment that you are not tie dying as it could bleach or bleed onto other garments.

After you pull your garment out of the dryer it is officially ready to wear! If you try this out, I’d love to see your creation. Tag me on Instagram if you share. My handle is @itsallchictome.

And if you just aren’t the DIY type here are some tie dye sets that I’m loving!

$10 crewneck sweatshirt linked here

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Let’s Get Physical: Everything You Need For The Best At Home Workouts

I’m normally not big on at home workouts but desperate times call for desperate measures, am I right? I could sit here and state the obvious, that these workouts are good for your health, but honestly the main reason I’ve been getting my heart rate up is to 1) avoid going crazy and 2) prevent butt sores from sitting all dang day. Sound all too familiar?

If you want to hop on the active bandwagon, the good thing is that you need little to no equipment for a lot of these at home workouts. While you can certainly use your own bodyweight, I personally ordered a set of 5 pound weights, a yoga mat, and sliders to make the workouts a little more intense. If you want to shop more at home workout gear, see below and then checkout the most highly recommended at home workout sources by all of you!

AT HOME WORKOUT SOURCES

HIP Fitness – I might be bias but y’all know that I’ve fallen with pilates over the past year (specifically high intensity pilates). They are offering new, free daily workouts on their Instagram live/stories.

Megan Roup– Have you seen all of those fun dance cardio videos all over celebrities’ Instagram accounts? Keyword fun. I’ve done my fair share of these and it’s quickly become my favorite source of cardio and that’s coming from a girl that hates cardio! Find all of Megan’s dance, sculpt and strength training on her Sculpt Society app.

Orange Theory Fitness– They are uploading free, daily workouts that you can do from home!

LuluLemon– Their Youtube channel has hundred’s of free workouts.

CorePower Yoga– The most recommended yoga suggestion from you all that provides free, on demand classes.

Beach Body– One of the highest recommended workout sources from all of you. You get the first two weeks free!

FitOn– This was another very popular response! It is a free app with workout videos ranging in intensity, time and focus areas.

Fitness Blender– Free on Youtube.

Blogilates– Free on Youtube.

One Peloton– Free 90 day trial. Get what you need to meet your goals, with a mix of running, strength, toning, cycling, yoga, meditation and outdoor workouts that only require your body weight.

Down Dog App – Yoga app that is free until July 1st for teachers, students, and healthcare workers and May 1st for everyone else. It is completely customizable for your skill and intensity level.

LOOK GOOD WHILE DOING IT

..or while not doing it! Here are some of my recent active wear finds while quarantined. Funny enough even when I’m not working out, lately I seem to be wearing active or loungewear clothes 24/7. So whether you just want some comfies for the couch or new workout clothes to inspire you to actually work out, I’ve rounded up a bunch of items that are currently on sale.

And if you are looking for some more workout outfit inspiration, here are a few of my recent activewear outfits that I’m still loving!

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Quarantine & Chill: Netflix Recs, Games & Loungewear

Netflix Recs

Hi from quarantine friends! Anyone else going a little stir crazy and looking for new shows, new games and maybe a new pair of pajamas? Because I know I sure am! I saw a meme earlier today that read “I finished Netflix” and I felt that lol. I’m currently rewatching Heart of Dixie for a third time (best feel good show) and rewatching Vampire Diaries for the second time. If you need a new rec, see below for some of my all time favorites.

SHOWS

1. Heart of Dixie

The fact that I’ve seen this show three times over should be reason enough to watch it! City girl roughs it in a small town. Said girl has two very handsome men fighting over her while she figures out how to adjust to the small town life. Take my word on this one. It’s a very cute, feel good, chick flick show.

2. Schitt’s Creek

Want a good laugh? This is the show for you. It’s definitely stupid humor and takes a few episodes to get into but you’ll be thankful you stuck around because it’s funny as hell. A posh, rich family loses all of their money and is forced to move to a small town that they bought ages ago as it’s the only thing they still own. You’ll laugh your way through their misery of losing their claim to fame and adjusting to “normal life”.

3. In the Dark

Just a head sup, there is only one season so it will leave you wanting more! This show is about a blind girl (who is a total badass) who is on a mission to solve the murder of her best friend. There is a lot of drugs, sex, alcohol and badassery.

4. New Girl

Another feel good, full of laughs show! It’s about an unconventional roommate situation with 3 guys and 1 girl trying to figure out the single life and oddly enough become like family.

5. You

Honestly this one is a little creepy but also very intriguing especially with how much we share on social media. If you are a Penn Badgley fan, watch this!

6. Dead To Me

After a hit and run that killed her husband, Jen is on a mission to uncover the mystery. She befriends another women from her support group who helps her carry out her hunt. Their friendship has a few unexpected twists and turns and along the way their grief sparks a weird since of comic relief and joy.

7. Virgin River

This show seems to be a total spin off Heart of Dixie which is why it probably places on the favorite list. A nurse practitioner moves to a small town for a fresh start not knowing that she would find love in the process.

8. Imposters

Watch as Maddie, a professional conartist, cons her way into several men’s lives, makes them fall in love with her and then robs them of everything. That is until those men figure it out, join forces and seek revenge.

9. Shameless

Sex, drugs. alcohol and more sex. Despite a nonexistent mother and a drunk for a father, these 6 children take care of each other while trying to also figure out their way.

10. Vampire Diaries

After her parents are tragically killed in a car accident, Elena’s world will soon change forever as she is introduced to vampires and other super natural creatures. If you want a twisted but good love story, watch this one!

MOVIES

1. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

Teen drama alert but SO good that I’ve watched it upwards of 20 times. Take my word on this one and then watch the sequel too.

2. Kissing Booth

Another teen drama with romance. A high school student finds herself face-to-face with her long-term crush when she signs up to run a kissing booth at the spring carnival.

3. Love Rosie

The epic love story of two brits that have been best friends since birth. Can their friendship and possible romance survive an ocean between them?

4. Country Strong

Gwyneth Paltrow plays the role of a country music star who is trying to overcome addiction all while preparing to go on a comeback tour announcing.

5. Failure to Launch

Ok ok ok my movie type is teen dramas and rom-coms- sue me! I’ll stop with my top 5 because the other 5 would probably be more of the same. If you have a good recommendation, leave it in the comments please!


Quarantine Games

A great way to pass the time and maybe let your inner kid out is to get outside outside (safely away from everyone) for an at home workout, bike ride or yard game OR stay inside and try out a new game… or five. Some of my families favorites are Mexican Train, The Game of Things, Heads Up, and Qwixx.


If you haven’t invested in loungewear before now, I’d say it’s a pretty good time. Have a zoom conference call but don’t want to wear pajamas? Loungewear it is! The good thing about most of these sets are that they can be mix and matched. I love wearing my joggers with basic tees and my hoodies with denim shorts. See below for some of my favs!

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New Year, New Rear: Talking Fitness Fashion and Fitness Goals for 2020

FITNESS FASHION

Nordstrom Fitness FindsNordstrom Fitness Finds

Bra: Zella // Leggings: Free People // Shoes: Adidas

Around this time every year is when the gyms are flooded with people attempting to kick their booty into gear. I have always had a fickle relationship with the gym and working out mostly because of my hip issues but 2019 was the first year I stuck with something fitness related. I found pilates and have never loved a workout more. With my new found love for Pilates, comes wanting to buy all of the cute work out clothes which can get expensive really quick. Why in the world are stretchy clothes so dang expensive?!

Now is a great time to stock up on quality active wear for the year. Nordstrom is having their Half Yearly Sale and there are some great finds in there. Zella, Adidas, Sweaty Betty and Beach Riot are some of my favorite brands that Nordstrom carries and I’ve also rounded up my favorite sale finds to make it easy on you below. Don’t forget Nordstrom has free shipping and returns so if you aren’t positive on sizing, I suggest ordering two sizes and returning the other. Sizes tend to sell out quickly so this is the best way to ensure you get the item you are wanting!

FITNESS GOALS

I get questions a lot on what I do to stay so fit and I’d be lying if I said it’s from a strict workout or diet plan. I struggle with both daily. Quick backstory, I had two hip surgeries in 2017 and honestly hadn’t done any sort of real workout since college prior to my surgery. Then after, I had so many issues that I barely did any sort of physical exercise, let alone workout. But this past year has taught me how rewarding it feels to work towards something and to push your body and mind further than you thought it could go. There is a small victory and dare I say small adrenaline rush that happens with each workout. Going into 2020 I want to put a stronger focus on my overall health and mindset.

Over the past year I’ve learned to love working out for multiple reasons. Obviously I have enjoyed seeing the fruits of my labor physically but mentally it has done wonders for me too! Working from home, sometimes my only break out of the house for the day is going to workout so it’s kind of become an escape. Running has done the same. On days I’m stressed or just need to clear my head, running helps so much. It’s crazy how a year ago I thought people who did these things were just torturing themselves. I don’t know what clicked for me in 2020 but I’m so glad it did. If you haven’t found a workout that makes you feel this way yet, keep searching. Pilates has been my saving grace.

Physically, I’ve noticed the most extreme amount of definition in my arms, abs and butt which are honestly the places I have always been most concerned about toning. I have loved Pilates because it does not involve much cardio yet still gets your heart rate up while being a full body workout. It’s definitely not easy but you can make the workout as hard or as easy as you want it to be. For those that are local to Houston, I go to HIP Fitness which is a megareformer class.

So what are my goals for 2020? Honestly I’d be happy with continuing on the path that I was on in 2019 but my main goal of this year is to add in variability with my workouts so I can start working new muscle groups. I also want to start adding in cardio as I am severely slacking in this department. While I love Pilates and plan on continuing to take it in 2020, I want to widen my range of workouts. So here are my specific goals…

Take at least 3 classes a week. 

Try a completely new class once a month. 

Start mixing in cardio once a week. Whether that be a long walk, *short* run, spin class or cardio based workout. 

Get a massage once a month. Again this goes back to overall health and mindset and I think can be included as a fitness goal as working out/stress can create tension and knots that make it harder to workout and perform other daily tasks. 

Eat dinner at home at least 4 nights a week. Of those 4 nights, try a new recipe once a week. 

Nordstrom Fitness Finds

Nordstrom Fitness Finds

Nordstrom Fitness Finds

Nordstrom Fitness Finds

*Thank you Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Budget Friendly Holiday Home Decor

When it comes to home decorating do you tend to take a traditional or non traditional approach? Over the years I’ve flip flopped back and forth. For example this year I love all of the buffalo plaid. I incorporated it for Fall and am now bringing it into the holiday season as well. My holiday color inspiration this year is white, grey, rose gold and buffalo plaid. I ordered this 7.5 flocked Christmas tree and a quite a few other pieces that I can’t wait to show you next week when I bring my vision to life!

My favorite places to shop for budget friendly home decor are always Target, WalmartTJ Maxx and Amazon. They have affordable finds that last me a few season’s worth so that way if I want to change it up one year, I didn’t invest too much money into a theme that isn’t to my liking anymore. Most finds from these places are under $20, if not less. TJ Maxx has free shipping days every so often where I like to stock up on all of the things.

MORE HOME DECOR FINDS


Non Traditional Holiday Decor
Traditional Holiday Decor
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