Self Tanner

Being a natural blonde, I also have very fair skin. If I’m in the sun, I always wear SPF 30, and I never go in tanning beds. That being said, I still love a healthy tan glow. I keep a tan year round by using self tanner. There are many great self tanners out there but most are pricey or come out streaky. After years of hunting down a great product, I finally found one! I have been using St. Moriz self tanner for about 8 months now. I get it for $12.99 at Ulta, and one bottle lasts me about 4 months. I apply the self tanner using a tanning mitt. I simply pump the foam onto the mitt and then apply it evenly. The self tanner will last for about 1-3 days depending on how often you shower, sweat, swim, etc. I use the medium shade, and it always looks natural.

California GoPro Footage

I got this GoPro for my birthday about 9 months ago. I opted for the original Hero because it was the least expensive, and I didn’t want to be greedy. I also had never used a GoPro before and wanted to test it out before I opted for an updated version. All in all, I love it! It is super easy to use, and I love the wide lens effect. It doesn’t take the best quality pictures or videos, but that’s why I also bring my Canon 60D with me on every trip. I hope you enjoy the video!

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Yosemite

As you can tell from the pictures below, Yosemite was absolutely breathtaking. The weather was perfect, the sites were beautiful, and the people were friendly. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I have listed details of my trip and my gear below. Please feel free to drop a comment with any questions that you have.

We stayed in the Upper Pines Campsite in the national park. It was $26 a night and they sold out very quickly. The site comes with a fire pit, bear lock box, and parking spot. Upper Pines has numerous bathrooms with toilets, sinks, and water stations. If you want showers though, you’ll have to travel up the road to another site. The campsites are located in a forest, but you are very close to your neighbors. We didn’t mind because all of our neighbors were very welcoming. There is also a little grocery store in Half Dome Village for any last minute things (like wine). We hiked Mirror Lake, Bridalveil Falls, and Upper Yosemite Falls trails. Upper Yosemite Falls was by far our favorite site in the whole park. It’s a long trail but well worth the views. Next time, I will definitely be bringing my bike to ride around within the park. All of the trailheads are easily accessible, and you don’t even need a car once you’re in the park.

I packed all of my belongings for the entire trip in my Ospery Aura 50 AG backpack. My Marmot Limelight 2 person tent, REI Lumen 25 Youth sleeping bag, a week’s worth of clothes, and my Canon 60D and GoPro Hero cameras all fit in this bag. I would highly recommend all of this gear to fellow travelers. All pictures shown below are shot with my Canon 60D. I will be uploading GoPro pictures & videos soon!

 

Liebster Award

I was nominated for a Liebster Award by Healthy and Psyched and Chilli Bitten 28 ! Being new to blogging, I had no idea what this meant. So for you fellow newbies, it’s a way for bloggers to learn more about other bloggers. Basically a blogger asks you a series of questions, you answer, and then you nominate other bloggers to answer questions.

I wanted to give these two a huge thank you! I am so excited that people are reading my blog and interested in my content. Without further ado, here are my responses to their questions

Questions from Healthy and Psyched

Blogging-
1. How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging for a little over two months. This blog is definitely still in its newborn stage.
2. Which post are you most proud of and why?

I am most proud of my workout video posts. I have had many women approach me telling me that they went to the gym and tried out my exercises. I love teaching women that lifting is a great way to build strength.
3. Who would you like to interview for your blog?

I would love to interview Heidi Somers. She is my personal fitness role model. Not only is she strong, she is such a kind and driven person.

Food-

4. What’s your favourite fruit or vegetable?

I love fruit! All fruit! I am not a huge vegetable fan though. I need to be better about eating my veggies.
5. Do you use superfood powders? If you do, what’s your favourite?

No, I need to look into that though! Send me your suggestions!
6. What’s your favourite treat food?

CHOCOLATE! AND PIZZA! AND PASTA! AND SNACKS!

Okay, I love all food.

Lifestyle-
7. How do you keep active?

I keep active by lifting. I am currently lifting 6 days a week with little to no cardio. Right now, this is my favorite way to work out. Do what you love best, though. Exercising shouldn’t be punishment.
8. What do you do in your spare time?

I don’t have spare time! Hahaha it’s sad but true. I work a full time job, hit the gym almost every day, blog, run numerous social media accounts, am currently buying/renovating a house, and constantly traveling. I wouldn’t live my life any other way. We only have so much time on this earth, I want to experience everything.
9.If you could go on a tv show which would it be?

I know this show ended, but I absolutely loved Parenthood. If I could go back in time, I would definitely want to be on that show.

Bonus round-
10. Show me a selfie! (If you’re too shy you can post a picture of your pet instead).

I know this isn’t exactly a selfie, but I just got home from Northern California and have been editing pictures all night. I can’t wait to share them with you all!

 

Questions from Chilli Bitten 28

1. Which do you prefer tea or coffee?

   Coffee! But I drink both.

2. What is your favourite colour?

   Yellow! I have a yellow bike & a yellow house!

3. Favourite reality show?

   I don’t watch much tv.

4. Are you right handed or left handed?

   Right!

5. What is your favourite cake?

   All of them! I have such a big sweet tooth.

6. How do you like your eggs?

   Egg whites on smashed avocado toast is my go-to egg dish.

7. What’s on your bedside table?

   My kindle, a candle, and flowers.

8. Which season of the year do you prefer?

   Summer!!!!!!!!

9. What is the one song that you love to sing at the top of your lungs when you hear it come on the radio?

   Anything by Justin Bieber. No shame in my Bieliber game.

10. What is your  hobby?

    I love working out!

    I hope you loved learning more about me! Here are some blogs that I nominate for the Liebster Award and questions for you to answer!

    Why did you begin blogging?
    What is one word that you would use to describe yourself?
    What is your favorite place that you’ve ever traveled to?
    How do you relax?
    What are you most proud of in life?
    Who is your favorite musician/band?
    What hobbies do you enjoy?
    Who is your biggest inspiration?
    What is a book that you would recommend to others?
    If you had to go on vacation and only bring a backpack, what essentials would you bring?

    A Piglet Abroad

    Passports and Pigtails

    Baby to Bikini

    Tiny Kelsie

    Fat Girl to Fit Girl

     

 

Keep in Touch as I Explore California

I will be exploring San Francisco and camping in Yosemite for the next week. I am traveling with nothing more than a backpack, so no computer and no blogging. You can get your healthy dose of Flourishing Mel by follow me on social media.

Instagram: Flourishing Mel

Personal Instagram: Melissa_Fit.Life

Snapchat: Flourishing Mel

I will be taking many pictures & videos so stay tuned! When I come back I will be doing a full gear review. Until then, I’ll see you on social media.