If you love having little snacks throughout the day and want to find a healthier way to fill up, then I have the perfect list for you. If you don’t want to pack on the pounds this summer try trading your unhealthy snacks for some of these low calories treats! You can even make a whole low calorie meal with some of these ingredients!

1. Radishes: These little bite-sized root vegetables are only 1 calorie per piece. Slice them up and add them to your salad or eat them alone.
2. Cucumbers: Cucumbers are excellent at keeping you hydrated. They were comprised mainly of water and will help you feel full for longer periods of time.
3. Celery: It’s rumored that it takes more calories to digest this crunchy vegetables than is included in the celery itself.
4. Apples: A great on-the-go snack, apples help to fight hunger and are packed with nutrition. Apples are also a great way to quickly clean your teeth after a meal.
5. Watermelon: Watermelon is another great fruit that quenches thirst and is guilt-free.
6. Cauliflower: A half cup boiled cauliflower only has 14 calories. Mash it up for a fiber-rich, nutritious substitute for traditional mashed potatoes.
7. Strawberries: 1 cup of strawberries has nearly 100% of your daily vitamin C. Take your friends and go strawberry picking for a healthy afternoon of fun.
8. Mushrooms: No matter whether you grill, saute, or back them, mushrooms are an incredible low calorie snack.
9. Summer Squash: Summer squash has half the amount of calories as winter squash. This means you can eat twice as much!
10. Green Tea: Stop sipping your calories and grab some green tea. It’s a fat-fighting drink loaded with antioxidants. And the best part? It has zero calories!
11. Green Beans: Dip them in your favorite low-fat dressing for a delicious, crunchy afternoon snack.
12. Papaya: Shred fresh papaya and add it to your salad for a little sweetness without the calories.
13. Tangerines: Keep a few tangerines on your desk for a healthy, easy snack.
14. Garlic: Instead of butter and high sodium seasoning packets, always use fresh garlic for added flavor. A small amount delivers big taste, and will cost you minimal calories.
15. Pineapples: This sweet tropical fruit is a giant zero-calorie snack. Toss it on the grill for a caramelized side dish at dinner.
16. Endive: These crunchy and bitter leaves are a great addition to your salads, or on its own. They pair nicely with pears and blue cheese.
17. Turnips: You can roast turnips like any other vegetable. Turnips are packed with flavor, and you won’t need a huge portion size to stay full.
18. Leeks: Swap your onions for fresh leeks and you’ll find a unique flavor with fewer calories.
19. Lettuce: Use lettuce as a wrap instead of a tortilla, and always go for the dark green leaves for more nutrients.
20. Mangoes: Frozen mango cubes are a great way to cool off in the hot summer months.

With summer in full force, weddings are happening everywhere!  Here are 10 things to remember on your daughter’s wedding day to keep the whole experience magical!   

1. This is your daughters day to shine. Not yours! That doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous, but remember to just dress age appropriate. You are playing a crucial role on the day, but your daughter is the star. Even if you dislike certain details, keep it to yourself! Remember: compliments and smiles.
2. It is inappropriate to wear white. Mothers of the bride, do not even think about wearing a color in/near/around the whites on your daughter’s special day. She is the princess in white and no one should be close to her wedding gown color on the day.
3. The Bride and Groom are running the show. Some mothers tend to be a little controlling and/or overbearing but on the wedding day, mothers need to know who are in charge. The bride and groom are the gatekeepers of all final decisions leading up to the wedding and throughout the day. Unless you have been asked to run something, stay out of the way.
4. Learn how to pick and choose your battles wisely. Some traditions are nearer and dearer to your heart than your daughters. So if there is something you must see or do on the wedding day, pick ONE that is a must. It will be seen with more importance and your daughter can’t say no to your one request, right? Just like the bride has to pick and choose her battles, so should you.
5. Get to know the in-laws. This is your daughter’s new family and in this day and age, the mother of the groom may be just as involved as the bride’s mother (or would like to be) when it comes to planning the big day. Especially when budgets are getting split. Brides, make sure both mother’s feel included! How about a launch date for the ladies to discuss the wedding details?
6. Be supportive, no matter what. Even if your daughter is turning into bridezilla (which they sometimes do), mothers need to stay poised, calm, and collected. It is your job to be the pillar of stability during this crazy time and your daughter will want someone who can both help them make the big decisions and keep their cool when things go crazy. We can’t promise it will be easy, but please try for the bride!
7. Offer to help, but only what you are truly willing to do. You should only offer what you WANT and CAN do. If you have a full-time job, maybe volunteering to meet with florists mid-week is a bad idea. Maybe if you have a special talent in table decorations or paper goods, offer to lend a hand there. Don’t offer your help on items that you have no interest in! And certainly don’t fill your schedule with more than you can handle. We know you want to be involved, just do it wisely.
8. Be open about the guest list. We know tradition states that mom and dad are hosting the party (i.e paying for it) and therefore, the guest list should be decided by them. Not anymore. For this generation, the bride and groom are normally the ones in control of the almighty guest list.
9. Offer your wedding gown, but don’t force it. We know you may have been saving your wedding dress for your daughter, but styles and fashions have evolved. You should definitely make the offer, but please don’t be offended if the bride says no. Maybe offer the veil? Or perhaps a piece of the dress can be used, like the lace? Seamstresses and tailors can do wonders with old dresses. Be open-minded!
10. Discuss wedding outfits with the mother of the groom. This may seem trivial, but having the mothers coordinate is a wonderful bonding experience. Plus, it is tradition to share your look for the wedding. Also, as the head of matrons, your look will set the tone for the wedding!

Do you and your friends want some fun and enjoyable things to do this summer? Well, I am going to share with you 25 great (and free) ideas to try this summer to get you outside enjoying the beautiful weather! (Numbers 5, 13, and 15 are my personal favorites!!!) xoxoxo

1. Go on a hike
2. Pick a random neighborhood and set off to explore
3. Find a free concert
4. Seek out a food market with lots of free samples
5. Try geocaching (if you’re unfamiliar, Google it! It is a lot of fun!)
6. Plan a game night
7. Spend a night at the museum
8. Make it a beach day
9. Go roller skating
10. Build a Slip ‘N Slide
11. Volunteer together
12. Have a movie marathon
13. Get dressed up and go to expensive open houses
14. Go camping in your own back yard
15. Play a messy game of Twister (put the matching paint color on each circle, make sure it is washable paint!)
16. Find a movie screening in the park
17. Go to a local basketball court and shoot some hoops (maybe play a game or H-O-R-S-E?)
18. Download a karaoke app
19. Host an at-home poker night
20. Test drive your dream car
21. Go on a free brewery tour
22. Go to a trivia night at a bar
23. Play truth or dare
24. Get together and share old embarrassing photos
25. Have an old-school video game showdown (Nintendo 64 anyone?)

As women, we all have our tricks when it comes to daily beauty routines.  Some may be odd while others are very commonly known.  We can all agree on one thing though, there is always room for new tricks to make ourselves look better!  Here are my Top 10 beauty secrets that you will want to try immediately!!  Maybe you already know some of them, and the others you can just add to your list! xoxo

1. Hand Sanitizer can be used to combat a shiny face. It smooths like a primer and provides a protective coat locking in moisture which creates the shine on your face. Use it along your hair line and forehead.

2. Chapstick on your nose keeps it from drying out! It moisturizes the skin right around your nose and provides instant relief. You can also rub some inside your nose when it’s dry, sore or just uncomfortable.  Just make sure you use a separate stick for your nose and lips!

3. Dab a bit of Greek Yogurt on a pimple and let it dry (takes about 20 minutes) before rinsing off with warm water to reduce inflammation and redness quickly.  The lactic acid helps unclog pores and breakdown dead skin cells,  the probiotics help to balance bacteria and the fat helps to moisturize.  Tasty and useful!

4.  Have a burn from a hair iron? Use raw honey instead of ice. A thick layer will instantly cut the sting while also providing antibacterial protection to keep the skin hydrated.

5.   Add 2 crushed aspirin to your favorite shampoo to turn it into a dandruff-blasting product.  The salicylic acid from the pills break down dead skin cells and product buildup.

       6.  To exfoliate dry feet add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to 1/2 cups of coconut oil. Mix and then apply this to the feet in a circular                   motion. No one likes dry feet!

7.  Use cool cucumbers under or over the eyelids to decrease puffiness and inflammation. Tea bags work well also!

8.  A toothbrush is one of the best tools!  Use it to exfoliate your lips by making small, circular motions.  A clean toothbrush can also be                  one of the best tools for de-clumping mascara.

9.  Want a longer lasting blowout?  Squeeze a small amount of fresh lemon juice on a cotton ball and dab at the root area to absorb any                     excess oils while leaving your hair with a delightful scent. Yum!

    10.  Swish coconut oil in your clean mouth first thing in the morning for around 20 minutes for super white teeth and to rid teeth of cavities!

Everyone knows how stressful it is to get ready for a date. What to wear? What makeup? What kind of perfume? What do I do with my hair?

I am here to take the stress out of date night hair styling! Here are 5 of my favorite easy to-do looks for going on a date!! xoxo

1. Add a braid! Turn an ordinary half-up half-down look into something more by making the pony or strands pulled together into a braid or fishtail. You can even make a high pony-tale into a braided high pony!  The possibilities are endless…..
2. Make a bow! Take two strands of hair from each side of your head and pull it together into a low or high bun. Take another strand of hair and cut the bun in half to make it look like a bow. Stick the additional strand into your pony holder behind the bow. What a different look! (works better with thinner hair) 
3. Easy to do beach waves! Want to make natural looking beach waves without using a curling iron? After you shower, put either hairspray or gel (specifically a kind used to add curls) in your hair. Put your hair into a low loose bun while you finish getting ready. Right before you go out, take your hair out of the bun and add some more spray to keep the waves nice and tight. 
4. Rock the straight look! Pin straight hair is always a classic style. Straighten your hair with a flat iron to keep it straight all night long. (I recommend using heat spray before you use the iron to keep your hair healthy looking and feeling)
5. Sock buns are fun! Pull your hair into a sock bun for an easy to do style that looks elegant and classy. You can either cut a sock or buy a kit from any local hair salon. (This style is tricky for people with thick hair, but not impossible to master!)

I recently found out that you can easily lose weight during the summer by adding a few certain foods to your meals. Who knew it was that easy?! Try replacing your normal side dishes with these three options and you will see a difference in a matter of a week! They are not only simple and delicious, but they actually help keep you healthy and full! You will be showing off your bikini ready body is no time! xoxo

Chilled Soups:

Chilled soups like gazpacho, cucumber-dill or other soups that contain lots of chunky vegetables are a great way to drop pounds. Low-calorie, broth-based soups at the beginning of your meal fill you up so you eat less of your high-calorie dinner. It makes for a great meal replacement or mid-day snack!

Watermelon: 

Who doesn’t love crisp and juicy watermelon when it’s hot outside? Half of watermelon comes from water, so it not only satisfies your thirst but also fills up your stomach! Remove any bread or greasy foods from your table and serve the watermelon instead! (fruit salad is also a good low-calorie summer snack to try)

Grilled Veggies:

A plate full of grilled veggies is a must-have during the summer. You can add grilled veggies like onions, bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, asparagus and so many more to your dinner plate for that not only a filling treat! Mix the veggies in a salad, in a pita wrap, or even with some chicken for a light weight and healthy meal.

Do you enjoy adding fresh fruit to your water to get a fresh flavor as much as I do? If so you are going to be in love with my latest purchase. I recently bought a Water Infuser Bottle and it is the greatest thing ever!! It is a glass bottle that has a tube down the middle to hold fresh fruit. The straw travels through the center combining both the water and the fruit. It is so refreshing and delicious!!

My favorite combination is the strawberry and kiwi. It helps with cardiovascular health, immune system protection, blood sugar regulation and digestion. Who knew the just mixing together fruit with your water could be so healthy?! Another one of my favorites is cucumber, lime and lemon. It helps with water weight management, bloating, appetite control, hydration and digestion. Trust me, once you start with these infusions you will never want to stop! Go buy one today and you can thank me later, xoxo.

Quinceanera, or ”Sweet 15”, parties are a tradition in the Latin American culture.  They symbolizes a young girl becoming a woman, and a huge celebration is held in honor of her 15th birthday birthday. The parties are over the top and extravagant, and so is the attire!  The girl celebrating her Quinceanera gets to wear a lavish, full gown, vibrant in different colors and patterns. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the gowns. Though, it is very hard to find a shop that carries such outrageous gowns due to their size. Here at TT New York we have a wide selection of Quinceanera gowns!

Quinceanera dresses are very unique in their own way. Some of the gowns have separate pieces and you can wear the corset top apart from the skirt! Others have shorter skirts on top so you can transform the big poofy gown into a shorter cocktail style later on. The opportunities are endless when it comes to Quineanera gowns! If you want to look amazing on your special night, then make sure to stop into TT New York and check out our selection! xoxo

Summer is finally here and that means plenty of formal gatherings taking place!  Between weddings, graduations, birthday parties and family reunions, you will somehow find yourself in need of a dress!  Stop in and check out our selection at the Walden Galleria and Boulevard Mall locations! TT New York  has everything you need!  Below are a few of my favorites that we just got in! xoxo.

Graduation/Attending Wedding:

Mother of the Bride:

Birthday Party:

Gala/Black Tie Event:

Want to look flawless not only in a picture but also in person?  Learn these tricks to contouring your face and you won’t need to filter your pictures anymore! Contouring basically brightens and highlights your face in all the right places and give your face an even and flawless look. Once you notice the difference, it will be hard to not want to contour your face before you leave the house everyday! Follow these simple and easy steps and you will instantly fall in love with contouring! xoxo

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• foundation one to two shades darker than your skin tone (don’t go too dark, remember it all has to blend together)
• foundation one shade lighter than your skin tone
• highlighting concealer
• blush (liquid or powder)
• setting powder
• beauty sponge
• flat top brush
• duo fiber blending brush

STEPS: 

• Using the flat top brush and the foundation one skin tone lighter, add highlights to: (DON’T BLEND YET)

1. center of forehead
2. brow bone
3. bridge of nose
4. center upper lip (under your nose)
5. center of chin
6. create and upsides down triangle under the eyes extending it down to the center of your mouth

• Using the flat top brush and the foundation one shade darker, add highlights to: (ONCE AGAIN DON’T BLEND)

1. forehead/along the hairline
2. temples
3. hallows of cheeks- located right below your cheekbones
4. jawline and under chin
5. sides of neck
6. sides of nose and eye crease

(TIP: you can use cream or powders to contour or highlight, creams are easier to blend and tend to look more natural)

• MOST IMPORTANT STEP: BLEND!!

1. using a wet beauty blender or duo fiber blending brush, blend all the contour and highlighter together until there is no more distinction between the two colors.
2. lastly, apply a light dusting of blush on cheek bones.
3. set all the highlight with loose powder using a small bristle brush

(TIP: avoid using bronzer to contour, it will create a “shadow”)