Spring Has Arrived! Top 5 Trends of the Season

So, spring is finally here, and while most of the country is celebrating warmer weather, the only thing really worth celebrating in Florida is the season's hottest fashion trends.

Read on to see this spring's hottest trends!

Blast from the Past: The 80s Are Back, People!

Whether you were a fan of Sex and the City or not, you're probably familiar with Carrie Bradshaw, the show's leading fashionista. Well, there's a new Carrie in town on The CW's new hit show "The Carrie Diaries." This prequel to Sex and the City features a young Carrie Bradshaw (played by AnnaSophia Robb) in the '80s. 

In addition to the fabulous writers and even more fabulous actors, the show's biggest breakout stars are... the clothes, of course! 

The show has everything we loved from the '80s: sequins, neons, acid wash and polka dots. However, unlike many movies and shows on television we've seen portraying the “Material Girl” decade, costume designer Eric Daman successfully portrays '80s fashion in a youthful, fun, non-tacky way. Sure, we all know there were a lot of tacky moments in the ‘80s, but unfortunate fashion trends happen EVERY decade.

Read on to see some of the standout pieces seen on the show this season:

Taking control of your body has never been easier

Shape.com recently did a study on eight hormones our body naturally produces that could help aid (or prevent) weight loss. If you're looking to lose weight or get in shape, take control of these eight fat-fighting hormones.

Ghrelin

Intense exercise will prevent an increase in ghrelin, which works with the brain to signal hunger.

Leptin

Get a good night's sleep and eat lots of berries and red veggies that are full of antioxidants. This will increase your body's production of leptin, which works with your brain to suppress appetite and maximize the amount of calories you burn.

Adiponectin

Replace carbohydrates with monounsaturated fats (avocados, olives, etc.) in order to maximize adiponectin production. Adiponectin allows your muscles to use carbs for energy, boosts your metabolism, and can even curb your appetite.

Insulin

Limit your daily intake of starches or grains and instead try to get your carbohydrates from fruits and veggies. This will release more insulin into your body, which helps with muscle recovery and muscle building.

Glucagon

Opposite of insulin, glucagon breaks down carbohydrates and turns them into energy. Maximize glucagon levels by eating foods with a good source of protein.

CCK

Cholecystokinin, or CCK, is a hormone that keeps you feeling full. Eat foods that contain both protein and fat in order to reap the benefits of this hormone.

Epinephrine

This hormone increases fat burn and turns it into energy. Epinephrine can also suppress the appetite. Exercise, particularly interval training, will release this hormone.

Growth hormone

Growth hormone works with fat cells to break down and burn stored fat, turning them into energy. Intense exercise and sleep maximize the production of this hormone.

Summer doesn't always have to mean "makeup meltdown"

Many people completely avoid wearing makeup in the summer out of fear of having a "makeup meltdown." Trust me, living in Florida, I know exactly how frustrating this can be.

I have tested countless beauty products over the last couple of years, and I have finally found my Holy Grail summer makeup products. The combination of these items has saved me from that dreadful meltdown we often get in 90+ degree weather.

Using these products, I no longer experience makeup fading. From when I put them on in the morning to when I get home at night, my makeup doesn't budge.

Here are my favorite makeup products for the summer months:

OPI set to release 18-karat gold leaf top coat

Photo from here

If you're a nail polish hoarder like myself, you may want to get out your calendar.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, OPI has created its very first 18-karat gold leaf top coat.

This top coat, named "The Man with the Golden Gun," honors the franchise's "golden" anniversary. It will contain real 18-karat gold and will be sold in limited edition gold collectors packaging.

"The Man with the Golden Gun" will be released with several other James Bond-inspired polishes upon the release of "Skyfall," the 23rd film in the James Bond series.

This gold top coat will retail for $38 and will be available October 1.

So, are you going to shell out almost 40 bucks for this nail polish? I'm still undecided!

Glamour magazine and Birchbox partner up for the July 2012 box

Are you a beauty addict like myself? If so, Birchbox is perfect for you.

Birchbox is a subscription service in which you receive four to five deluxe beauty samples each month for only $10. You can cancel your subscription at any time, so you're never obligated to keep your subscription.

I have been subscribed to Birchbox for 12 months and I am rarely disappointed by the samples I receive. I love getting little surprises delivered to my door every month!

This month, Birchbox partnered up with Glamour magazine to bring us products that celebrate the "five senses of summer."

Interested in subscribing to Birchbox? Click here for more information!

What did I get in my July 2012 Birchbox?

Taking too many vitamins could be bad for your health

A little over a year ago, I started an intense diet in order to lose weight. Because of the calorie restrictions my new diet had, I began taking several vitamins a day. After doing a bit of research, however, I found that I may actually be taking too many.

According to Women's Health magazine, even one multivitamin may be too much if you're already eating a healthy diet. 

Calcium, iron, vitamin A and zinc are among the many vitamins we may be getting too much of.

Kidney stones, weakened bones, increased risk of heart disease, liver problems and vomiting are just some of the risks associated with a vitamin overdose.

Limit your daily intake to the following in order to avoid overdoing it:

Calcium: 2,500 mg

Iron: 45 mg

Vitamin A: 3,000 mcg

Zinc: 40 mg

For more information, click here.

Nail of the Day: Butter London "The Black Knight"

Today I am wearing this Butter London polish called, "The Black Knight". This polish is absolutely beautiful and unlike anything I have ever seen. It has a black base with teal, magenta, and gold glitter throughout.

New Video: 3 Steps to Fresh!

I thought this would be helpful to anyone like me who always feels SO gross after they get home at the end of the day. Often times I have plans to go out and do something after going to school but I feel like I need to freshen up before I go (even if I'm just going to the grocery store). These are the 3 things I do when I feel like I need a little bit of freshening up! :)

Urban Decay Naked vs. Naked 2 Palettes: Review, Photos, & Swatches!

If you're reading this blog, you're more than likely familiar with the Urban Decay Naked palette. And by now, probably even its successor: the Naked 2. The Urban Decay Naked palette has pretty much become a household name since its launch in 2010, but the question everyone is asking in 2012 is: do I need both the Naked and the Naked 2?

This question is quite complex and nearly impossible to answer in one syllable, so let me break it down for you.

Each palette comes with 12 full-size shadows in a wide variety of neutral shades.