Apr 21, 2017
TGIF Pretties and welcome to another edition of Friday Favorites! If you’re new around here, Alison’s Friday Favorites is a weekly list of anything that makes my life a little easier, prettier or happier. Here are a few things that checked those boxes this week.
Favorite #1 – Outdoor Living
Spring to me means one thing…more patio time! We spend so much time on our front porch and back patio when the weather gets nice. It’s not unusual for us to have entire dinners that consist of only chips and guacamole or wine and cheese. Hey, it’s nutritionally sound (see the fruit)!
Favorite #2 – Hormone Pellets
In Monday’s post, I mentioned that my first outfit was worn to an appointment to get my hormone pellet replaced. I got quite a few questions e-mailed to me about this. Since I’m basically an open book, I’m happy to provide answers!
About two years ago, I started feeling really sluggish and gaining weight. My gynecologist did blood work, including my hormone panels and found that my testosterone was basically non-existent. At that time I didn’t even realize that women needed testosterone. Since she does bio-identical hormone therapy (BHRT) in the form of pellets from Biote Medical she asked if I’d be willing to try it. At first, I was leery and didn’t relish the though of having a pellet implanted in my body, especially since it not a decision you can “un-do” if you’re not happy. But I decided to take the plunge that first time and it made me feel like a new person. I had more energy that I had in years, was able to work out longer and started to lose weight that diet and exercise weren’t taking care of before.
I’ve been getting pellets for two years now and plan to continue. My estrogen levels are starting to decline so I may be adding that in sometime later this year.
The process itself is pretty painless. She gives me a local and then inserts the tiny pellet (about the size of a grain of rice) into the backside of my hip. It takes about two weeks for it to kick in. As for cost? Insurance doesn’t cover it and I’m sure it varies from practitioner to practitioner but my initial blood work was $150 and the pellet replacement is $350 each time. I’ve had few side effects but the biggest are that I have to shave more often and get break outs in the first two weeks after it gets placed.
You can learn more about the pellets she uses and find a provider near you at Biotemedical.com.
Favorite #3 – Homeschooling
Ava and I are coming close to the end of our first year of homeschooling and we haven’t killed each other yet! When she approached me about the idea last summer, I was afraid that our strong, stubborn personalities were going to butt heads every day or worse, she’d be wearing a dunce cap by year end. We decided to go with Connections Academy‘s online program because I definitely do not have the patience or qualifications to do it myself. I’m so happy we decided to give it a try. This year has been awesome for both of us. She’s gotten to do a lot more of what she loves most (see photo below) and I’ve gotten to spend more time with her and be more involved. Selfishly, I don’t miss the carpool line, packing lunches every day or waking her up at the crack of dawn every morning! 🙂
Favorite #4 – Booty Friendly Jeans!
It’s a noteworthy item when I share my backside on the blog. In my SAHMonday post, I told you about my new favorite pair of booty friendly jeans. Gravity has had it’s way back there since turning 40 so there’s nothing better than a pair of jeans that lift and support. They’re also very soft and comfortable. If you’re still looking for a pair of frayed hem jeans (or want to add another to your collection), I highly recommend these!
Plus they’re super cute with a bandana scarf tied to the waist! Tip: To try this look, fold a bandana scarf and lace it through two of the belt loops on the side of your jeans.
[Frayed Hem Jeans/Floral Bandana Scarf]
It’s Your Turn: What are you loving this Friday? Tell me in the comments!
Linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea for Friday Favorites.
Apr 19, 2017
Hey pretties! Today kicks off a brand new series that I’m SUPER excited about. One of my favorite hobbies (besides creating capsule wardrobes) is home decor. Throughout the past few years, I’ve gotten tons of requests to post more about this topic so I’ve done little bits here and there, but nothing on a regular basis. This month, I’m starting a new six-part decorating series to share some of my tidbits of decorating advice that I’ve picked up along the way.
To kick the series off right, I’m starting with one of my favorite tips – decorating with meaning.
What does it mean to decorate with meaning? Well, I believe that your home space should be a reflection of not just your personality but also a collection of items near and dear to your heart. Anyone can decorate with meaningless trinkets but it’s so much better to be surrounded by things with deep personal meaning.
Here are five of my favorite ways to incorporate meaning into home decor.
(FYI – I’ve linked up similar online items below, but if you’re wondering where I got any of my pieces, the answer is almost always HomeGoods, Wayfair or Target. I’ll be linking up my furniture and lighting in future posts in this series.)
1. Family Heirlooms
This cricket rocker sat in my grandmother’s house all throughout my childhood. My most vivid memory of it was not being allowed to sit in it because the cane seat was so fragile! Somewhere along the way, she got the seat replaced on it and I was allowed to finally sit in it. It was one of my favorite pieces in her home and it’s now an heirloom that I’m proud to display.
Because this rocker’s antique style doesn’t quite fit in with my modern/traditional decor, I added this monogrammed throw pillow to update it a bit.
[Monogrammed Throw Pillows]
2. Travel Trinkets
Our family has a sense of adventure and love of world travel so naturally some of our decor expresses that. Here are a few of the ways we’ve incorporated our zest for globe-trotting into our daily lives.
[Eiffel Tower Figurine]
[Vintage Paris Maps]
[Decorative Globes]
3. Hobbies and Interests
Our daughter’s love of horses has spilled over into a few of our rooms. Her room is completely horse themed but we’ve also managed to incorporate a few pieces of equine decor into our sitting area.
[Horse Paintings]
[Horse Figurines]
My mom was a huge Beatles fan so growing up I knew every single word to all of their albums by heart. I’m still fascinated with the fab four as evidenced by this coffee table book of rare photographs.
[Beatles Books]
4. Nature and Outdoors
By far, our family’s favorite pastime is spending time at the beach. Most rooms in our house have a little bit of the beach in them. Try this out by displaying natural elements collected on some of your favorite adventures such as sea shells, pine cones, dried moss or driftwood.
5. Spiritual/Religious Meaning
When I went looking for a large piece of art to finish our our formal living room, I first started my search with colors that would bring the room together. When I stumbled across this piece of art entitled “Revealed in Jesus, Romans 8:39” by Mark Lawrence, I knew that I had found “the one”.
Romans 8:39 New International Version (NIV)
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[“Revealed in Jesus, Romans 8:39” Art on Canvas]
It’s Your Turn: What are some ways that you decorate with meaning in your home? Share them in the comments!
I Feel Pretty Link Up
It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell me what made you feel pretty this week in the comments.
Getting my pretty on with Style Elixir and A Little Bit of Everything.
There are just a few simple rules:
1. Follow GYPO. (
Bloglovin‘,
Facebook,
Instagram or
Pinterest)
2. Link up your pretty post.
3. Link back to GYPO (using the button above or your own link).
4. Visit other pretties.
Apr 17, 2017
Remember Pete and Repeat from when we were kids? Well that’s what I feel like sometimes when I walk into my closet. When you truly live with a capsule wardrobe, you get the most out of your pieces and sometimes it can feel a little monotonous. I almost didn’t post this outfit again because you’ve seen it before. But I’m keeping it real because when I buy new clothes, I wear and use them…A LOT.
My philosophy is that you’ll probably find it more helpful to see the same pieces styled in different ways than for me to feature a new “something” for you to buy every week. The fact is, I’d go absolutely broke if I featured new pieces in my outfits every SAHMonday and you’d go broke buying them. So to save us both money, you’ll see my pieces reused. 🙂
In all fairness though, these jeans are new. Yes, they look a lot like my other pair of frayed hem jeans but they’re a more fitted version.
This is what I wore to visit my gynecologist last week to get my hormone pellet replaced (lots of TMI in that sentence!) In the past 10 years that I’ve been going to her, she’s only seen me in real clothes (not yoga pants) a handful of times. I’m sure she seriously doubts that I have anything to do with style! So I decided to actually get dressed this time. It’s so nice to have easy go-to outfits in my closet that make it easy to get dressed, even if I have worn them a bazillion times before.
[Bell Sleeve Top (Sold Out) Similar/Frayed Hem Jeans/Tassel Necklace/Wrist Scarf/Gold Sandals]
Well, hello there booty! This is the first time I’ve ever posted a pic of my backside but these jeans made it possible. Gravity has been having a field day back there the past few years. I seriously love how these jeans lift and hold me in. (For reference, if between sizes, order a size down.)
When I got home from the doctor, I immediately changed into my favorite gray tee to get busy cleaning and organizing my closet (you can see some of the carnage on my bed in this pic). My quarterly closet cleanse was WAY overdue. I hoped to have it done before the Spring 2017 GYPO Style Challenge got underway. But alas, I’m running behind per usual.
I wanted to continue wearing my bandana scarf but have it out of the way while I cleaned and organized, so I tied it off to the side in the belt loops of my jeans. Perfect solution! (In case you missed it, I did a live tutorial last week on my Facebook page demo’ing how to tie your scarf like this and six other ways, you can check it out HERE.)
[Gray Tee/Frayed Hem Jeans/Floral Scarf/Gold Sandals]
As for the finished product on my closet? Well, it’s not exactly Pinterest-worthy but it is cleaned out, organized and ready for spring and summer! Go me!
My hubby installed this peel and stick wallpaper above the shelf in my jewelry/accessories area. I love how it turned out!
Show me YOUR SAHMonday outfit! Tag me on Instagram and use the hashtag #SAHMonday.
Apr 14, 2017
First off, thanks for your outpouring of love and encouragement after last week’s Friday Favorites post. The comments were very touching and needless to say my Friday Favorites won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. You are truly THE BEST!
Now back to our regularly scheduled Friday Favorites – my weekly list of what’s making my life prettier, easier or happier.
Favorite #1 – Top Three Self Tanners
I like to think of myself as somewhat of a self tanner afficionado. Ever since I figured out that real tans are not necessarily good for your skin (let’s just say I have lot of college tanning bed sins to atone for!) I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect faux glow.
Now I’m not exactly an expert but I’ve tried probably 20 or more self tanners through the years and have settled on three favorites – a budget friendly option, a mid-range option and a luxury brand.
In the budget friendly drugstore category, Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Lotion has been my go-to for many years.
Pros: Budget friendly and builds gradually, looks natural and provides moisture.
Cons: Takes a while (days) to develop fully.
Best For: Moisturizing gradual color.
My pick in the mid-range price is Rodan & Fields Foaming Sunless Tan. While my daughter’s cheer teammates are getting spray tans, she’s putting this on the morning of a competition and it looks great in just a few hours! It’s very natural looking too and doesn’t get orange-y or splotchy like some tanners.
Pros: Works super fast, looks natural.
Cons: Saturated color so you have to be careful applying it around knees and tops of feet.
Best For: Quick color
This is something I never would’ve bought for myself but my mother got some from QVC that she gave to me and now I’m hooked. Vita Liberata 2-3 Week Tan Mousse is hands down the best self tanner I’ve ever used! When we went to Mexico for spring break last month, I wore SPF 50 the entire time and came back without a tan. So I just used this stuff for two days and had a golden glow that fooled all of my friends! Plus it lasts 15 days or longer and fades gradually without any blotchiness. It also comes with a tanning mitt so you can apply it evenly without staining your hands. One more thing, the bottle lasts a very long time, a little goes a long way!
Pros: Very natural looking and fool proof. Lasts a long time and blends perfectly!
Cons: Pricey (but worth it)
Best For: Special events when you would normally get a spray tan, like weddings.
Favorite #2 – Colorful Sandals for Spring/Summer
I’m all about easy ways to update your wardrobe each season without breaking the bank. One of my must-have’s this spring/summer is a pair of colorful sandals. They pull together even the simplest outfits as evidenced by my SAHMonday outfit post this week! If you’re looking for a pair to add to your collection, you can get my pair here or check out these other three great options 1/2/3.
Favorite #3 – Keeping it Real
After a weekend packed full of kid activities, I spent my Monday getting groceries, putting away laundry and catching up on e-mail and life. Needless to say, workout clothes, no makeup and a ponytail were as good as it got that day! I posted this pic in my private Facebook group for the Spring 2017 GYPO Style Challenge as a reminder that we all need to cut ourselves some slack sometimes.
Oh and that thing I’m pointing to on my forehead? That was the formation of my magical unicorn horn zit that popped out this week. Just keeping it real. 🙂
Favorite #4 – Cheer Competitions and Horse Shows!
Speaking of our completely-packed-kid-activity-filled weekend, we had both a two-day cheer competition and a horse show. Craig and I thought we were going to have to “divide and conquer” but the timing worked out where we could go to both events, which meant we were running around from sun up to sun down both days. But it was totally worth it!
First off, Aubrey’s gym Wylie Elite had an amazing weekend at their last regular competition of the season. Her team got off to a rough start on Saturday with an almost insurmountable gap in their score between them and the first place team. But they came back on Sunday to win first place! To top it off, they ended up getting a paid bid to Summit which is a championship competition with gyms from all around the world held at Disney in Orlando next month. She goes to a small gym and all five of their teams got paid bids this year for the first time ever, which is a really big deal!
We went from cheer to a horse show where Ava competed on her new horse this weekend. We’ve had this mare on trial for the past month but finally pulled the trigger over the weekend to make it official. They have a lot of work to do together but it will be fun to watch as they progress. Her name is Razzle Dazzle and she’s a sweet and spunky five year old Hanoverian mare with tons of personality. One of Ava’s trainers said that Razzle is Ava in horse form, I couldn’t agree more!
Favorite #5 – Scarf Styling Video
Today I’ll be doing a Facebook Live with some scarf styling tips. Since launching the GYPO Collection last week, the most asked question I’ve gotten is how to tie and style them. I personally learn much better by watching a demo so hopefully this video will be helpful to you too!
Tune in to the GYPO Facebook page at 2 pm CT today to watch me demo these six different ways to style scarves.
It’s Your Turn: What are you loving this Friday?
Apr 12, 2017
This post is kind of controversial because even though on the surface it appears to be about spring dresses, it’s really about headless bunnies. GASP!
Let me explain.
I ordered this dress to wear to my niece’s baby shower a few weeks ago. When I saw the cute little bunnies on it, I knew I had to have it. Her shower theme was Peter Rabbit and it was held at the Dallas Arboretum. The botanical print with bunnies was perfect without being cutesy.
Unfortunately once I started to read reviews, I saw a recurring issue – headless bunnies! The seams on the dress were cutting off some of the little furry woodlands creatures’ heads. I decided to take a chance and order it anyway. Although I have a headless bunny near my right shoulder, overall my animals are mostly intact!
Good thing I took the chance because I LOVE this dress and have gotten so many compliments on it. I wore it to my niece’s baby shower that weekend and to a girls’ night out event two days later. It makes the perfect Easter dress so I’ll be wearing it once again this weekend. When mama gets a new dress, she likes to get her money’s worth! (P.S. Now’s a great time to get this dress, it’s on sale and has an additional 50% off too!) For reference, it fits pretty true to size, I ordered my normal size.
Dress/Earrings/Necklace (Similar)/Bracelet (Similar)/Watch/Shoes (Similar)
When I ordered the dress, I also got this culotte jumpsuit as a back up plan in case the headless bunnies were too much to bear. I ended up keeping it too because it’s super comfortable (feels like PJ’s) and it’s perfect for everything spring – from Easter Sunday to baby and bridal showers to Mother’s Day brunch! (This jumpsuit is also ON SALE with an additional 50% off!) For reference, I also ordered this in my regular size. It runs a little bigger than the dress but not enough to size down.
Jumpsuit/Earrings/Necklace (Similar)/Bracelet (Similar)/Shoes (Similar)
Here’s hoping that your only headless bunnies are the chocolate ones!
I Feel Pretty Link Up
It’s the day of the week at GYPO where we celebrate what makes us feel pretty. Whether it’s a new outfit, hairstyle, or makeup, the I Feel Pretty link up is about anything and everything that makes your life prettier. Even if you’re not a blogger, you can still play along. Just tell me what made you feel pretty this week in the comments.
Getting my pretty on with Style Elixir, The Pleated Poppy, Jo Lynne Shane, and A Little Bit of Everything.
There are just a few simple rules:
1. Follow GYPO. (
Bloglovin‘,
Facebook,
Instagram or
Pinterest)
2. Link up your pretty post.
3. Link back to GYPO (using the button above or your own link).
4. Visit other pretties.
