Mar 17, 2017
Let’s title this week’s Friday Favorites Mexico, Meat, Moto Jackets and Menswear! On that random note, let’s just jump right in, shall we?
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 – MEXICO!
Last week we spent spring break at Grand Residences, an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Morelos, Mexico (about 25 minutes south of Cancun). This was our second stay so I was a little nervous that it wouldn’t live up to the hype of the last time we went.
Thankfully, it did. The weather was a little crazy with some rain and wind but for the most part it was beautiful. We got to truly relax and not worry about having to do a thing for ourselves. The water was a little rough so the girls only got to swim in the ocean one day but they got to spend a lot of time at the pool.
See this scene below? That’s exactly where my butt had an appointment with the lounge chair all week!
And for those of you who asked to see my black mesh one-piece swimsuit in real life, here’s a pic. I love it so much!
Favorite #2 – Fogo de Chao (Meat!)
As if we didn’t have enough to eat at the all-inclusive resort all week, when we got back we were treated to a night out at the new Fogo de Chao location that recently opened in Uptown Dallas. Rough life, huh? 🙂
But seriously, it was an awesome experience. If you haven’t been before, Fogo de Chao is a Brazilian steakhouse with an amazing selection of salads, artisan meats and cheese, soups and the most delicious little cheese rolls in the world. But the main event is the meat prepared in the churrasco style. There’s a selection of steaks, chicken, pork and seafood. You just flip your card from red to green and the servers magically appear to slice samples of each meat for you! Our service, food and experience were nothing short of spectacular.
My sister Andrea and brother-in-law Victor were able to join us too. It was nice to catch up on life with them and enjoy an evening out. (Craig is missing from pic because he was taking it!)
Favorite #3 – Moto Jackets
The link I provided for a dupe for my moto jacket from Wednesday’s post sold out pretty much immediately. But I did some more digging around this week to find other options. If you aren’t able to get mine from Stitch Fix, you can also check out this great dupe, this faux suede one, this striped one and this plus sized one. It’s the perfect spring layering piece!
Favorite #4 – Menswear Spring Bootcamp
IT’S HERE! A lot of you were eager to help get your guys updated for spring (me included!) so I’m excited to announce that the Spring 2017 Menswear Boot Camp is now available. Like today, right now! You get a shopping list of spring trends and classic basics plus 15 days of outfit ideas created from the pieces on the list. It’s the perfect way to help your guy update his wardrobe for spring! The best part? It’s just $19. Get your shopping list and all 15 days of outfit ideas immediately HERE.
It’s Your Turn: What are you loving this Friday?
Mar 15, 2017
Want to know a secret? Some days I beat myself up mercilessly over SO many things. Recently it’s been about not having professional blog photos.
I’m sure you’ve noticed over the past year that I do more and more mirror selfies. Honestly it’s just easier. My husband is my blog photographer, but not a professional photographer. He travels a lot for work so when he’s home on the weekends, the last thing I want to do is bug him to take photos. It’s usually not worth taking quality time away from our family to do it.
Yes, I know that pretty blog photos aren’t that big of a deal but it really bothers me. I want to create a better, higher quality experience for you.
But that’s not the only reason why I feel like a “bad blogger”, I also beat myself up over not spending enough time in my private Facebook groups for the GYPO Style Challenge, actually more than anything else. Yes, you ladies in there are more than happy and willing to take care of each other but I would LOVE to carve out more time to interact.
Honestly I think if there were three of me, I could be a lot more productive and effective. One Alison would be dedicated to creating kick butt blog content, one Alison would interact in the Facebook groups all day and one would do the planning and creation of the GYPO Style Challenge.
Sigh…in a perfect world.
But there’s only one Alison who more than anything wants to do better as a wife and mom. Who has made the commitment to my family to close my laptop by 5:00 pm every day. Most days I do it but that doesn’t stop me from laying awake at night knowing I have 50 unread Facebook notifications waiting for me.
And let’s not even talk about the other things that get pushed down on the list like calling my parents or sisters more often or planning new meals instead of eating the same thing every single week or any number of other things that I wish I had the bandwidth to take on.
Most days I just feel like a giant load of not measuring up.
Not measuring up to my own unrealistic expectations as a blogger, mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.
And I know I’m not unique. Swap my Facebook notifications for any number of demands you have and we’re all in this together.
But I have professional photos today.
Because I know I can’t do it all perfectly all the time. But sometimes I find time to try a little harder. And sometimes it works out. But if it doesn’t that’s ok too because really we are all trying and doing our best.
Those who love us know this. They see the good we are doing, not the unrealistic never ending mental list of what we beat ourselves up over.
Thankfully perception isn’t reality. Thanks to you amazing readers who assure me that what I do makes a difference. Thanks to my sweet, supportive husband who builds me up and is always there. Thanks to my sensitive kids that know just the right time to tell me that I’m more than enough as their mom.
Even though I know I can do much better in many areas, reality is I’m not truly failing. And neither are you.
So today I bring you some real blog photos because I had the bandwidth to try a little harder. I can’t promise that they’ll be regular but I’m trying. And at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.
[Moto Jacket: Stitch Fix, Similar/Tank: Similar/Jeggings: Same/Necklace: Chesley Mae/Earrings: Same/Sandals: Same]
OK, back to fashion, let’s talk about this sueded moto jacket I got in my Stitch Fix this month. (In case you missed it last month, see Why I Gave Stitch Fix a Second Chance).
I’ve been looking for the perfect spring moto jacket for a few weeks now. None of them quite seemed to fit the bill. Then like a gift from above, this perfect sueded moto jacket arrived in this month’s Stitch Fix. It fits perfectly and I wore it that same night to the HeartStories Girls Night Out that my friend Crystal hosts each month. (P.S. – If you’re local to DFW and haven’t come out to it yet, it’s a MUST DO!) It’s the one night of the month that I actually dress up a little.
Here are the rest of the pieces in this month’s fix and my verdict on each.
1. Suede Ankle Boots – Loved these but have a pair very similar so they went back. Plus I’m more into open toed shoes now since it’s starting to feel like spring in Texas. I don’t think I’d get much wear from these.
2. Frayed Hem Mid-Rise Jeans – Wanted to keep these but they were a little too big. This is two months in a row where the jeans have been a size too big so I adjusted my sizing in my Stitch Fix profile.
3. Blush V-Neck Sweater – I have an almost identical piece in my closet which I’m sure you’ve seen me wear on the blog a time or two. I didn’t keep this either.
4. Black Bow Back Blouse – Oh how I wanted to love this pretty blouse! It has a flounced hem and the most adorable bow on the back. Alas, I couldn’t find a way to wear that my bra strap didn’t show in the back. So unfortunately this beauty went back (it’s much cuter in person, I promise)!
5. Sueded Moto Jacket – Winner, winner! Perfect right out of the box. Amazing quality, just right weight, color and fit. This is the one piece I kept this month. The true color is more like the photos of me wearing it above, a light beige, almost blush. If you’re looking for a similar one, check out this great dupe, this faux suede one, this striped one and this plus sized one.
Once again, I was thrilled with this month’s fix. I felt that my stylist really got me and sent great pieces. Even though I’ve only kept one piece the past two month’s, it’s still totally worth it. I love having these unexpected surprises arrive to add in some fun new trends.
Disclosure: If you decide to sign up for Stitch Fix using my link, I earn a credit. Even still, all opinions are 100% my own. Your trust is always more important than a product credit!
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, 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.
Mar 13, 2017
Welcome to another edition of SAHMonday – weekly outfit inspiration just for the stay at home and work from home moms of the world (like me!) who aren’t heading out of the house on Monday morning. You can check out the other outfits in this series here.
These outfits are perfect for when you want to feel comfortable, yet put together, so that you can face the day and any errands you may need to run. Plus, most of these outfit formulas can be pulled straight from your closet. If you don’t have my exact pieces, that’s ok. Just use one of the substitutions that I recommend.
The GYPO Neck Scarf
If you’re new around here, about a month or so ago I put out a vote to all of you to choose the three designs that would get sent to production to create our first line of silk scarves.
Our top vote getter was this beautiful green and pink floral pattern.
My sample scarves came a few weeks ago and like a kid at Christmas, I just couldn’t wait to start wearing (and modeling) them.
All three of the top vote getters will be made into two scarf sizes – a square silk bandana scarf (slightly larger than the sample that I’m wearing) and a long rectangular silk habotai scarf, perfectly lightweight for spring and summer.
This is our first physical product with GYPO and I couldn’t be more excited to roll it out! Every inch of this line has intention woven into it, from the Brooklyn-based female artist that created the designs, to the materials and manufacturing in the USA and eco-friendly packaging. And the most important part, of course – all of YOU who helped to create the line and choose the designs!
Today I’m pairing up my green GYPO silk scarf with a teal peplum t-shirt that I got at Loft last fall, my distressed skinny jeans and a pair of gold flats. I love how one simple accessory can transform an entire outfit!
Peplum Tee + Neck Scarf + Distressed Jeans + Gold Flats
[Peplum Top: Similar/GYPO Scarf: Coming Soon!/Jeans: Similar/Gold Flats: Similar]
Of course, I’ll have everything professionally photographed when the scarves are ready for purchase but I had to share this sneak peek with you today!
Substitutions and Shopping Options:
Peplum Top: Any top or tee with hem detail (fringe, scallops, ruffles, peplum). Shopping Options: 1/2/3
Distressed Jeans: Any skinny jeans with or without distressing. Shopping Options: 1/2/3
Gold Flats: Any metallic flats, sandals or sneakers. Shopping Options: 1/2/3
Show me YOUR SAHMonday outfit! Tag me on Instagram and use the hashtag #SAHMonday.
Mar 10, 2017
by Elizabeth Hynes
Living the Dream
What if I told you that you can look amazing on your next warm weather vacation bringing only a carry-on? Imagine departing without the hassle of checking bags or hearing your hubby complain about how much stuff you’re bringing! The dream is possible and I’m here to guide you to Vacay Packing Success.
Why should you listen to me?
I learned how to pack smart when I lived on a sailboat for 18 months, sailing from the US to Australia for my honeymoon. Living in cramped quarters for so long and visiting some of the world’s top resort destinations taught me how to do a lot with a little. That experience revolutionized the way I thought about packing, which is a good thing because I was a disaster at it. More times than not, I would end up crying the night before a big trip and pay extra baggage fees at the airport. Not exactly a great way to start a vacation.
I am excited to share my hard-won solutions with you, so you can start your trip without any packing stress or tears.
Step 1: Inspiration and Color Scheme
Research where you’re headed. Go online and study what types of outfits people tend to wear. Use Google Images to get a feeling for the local vibe. Consider the season and check the 10-day extended forecast.
Voila, you’ve got a dose of internet inspiration!
Next pick a neutral color that you look good in and make it the base of your capsule wardrobe. Black, navy or white is typically the best choice to “ground your collection”. This decision accomplishes two things; it helps establishes a base for all of your outfits and it limits the shoes and accessories you need to pack.
Step 2: Versatile Silhouettes
Every item needs to earn its place in your suitcase. Consider only travel-friendly fabrics (no ironing on vacation please!). Even more key is to include only pieces that can be worn in multiple ways thus maximizing your outfit options.
There are a few silhouettes that lend themselves to being super-versatile. The best are a 2-piece dress or 2-piece jumpsuit. With a regular dress or jumpsuit, you’re stuck with only one look. With 2-piece “sets” you have a solid array of outfit options. This is also where the color theme helps. Solids and prints that are based in black are the easiest to mix and match. With a little creativity you can conjure up several outfits from just a couple of separates.
Another highly versatile silhouette to consider is a convertible dress. This type of dress does double duty as a strapless dress or as a maxi skirt. Depending what accessories and top you pair with the skirt, you can dress it way up or way down. A maxi skirt can create 2 or 3 distinct looks. Again, fall back to your color scheme for easy breezy mixing and matching.
Another prerequisite for any warm weather vacation is a caftan. They are the real workhorse in any capsule wardrobe. Caftans can be worn as a swimsuit cover-up, a tunic top paired with jeans or cutoffs, or even a short dress. Any swimsuit cover-up you choose needs to be flexible enough to work well with your other pieces. Casual dresses and rompers also make for great cover-ups and can be worn on day excursions.
Step 3: Your Favorite Essentials
You will need a few of your go-to items to wear back with your versatile silhouettes. Remember to incorporate your color scheme. If you choose black, be sure and bring a pair of black shorts and tank. If you go with white, you’ll want a pair of white jeans or white shorts and of course the perfect white tee. Navy is a bit tougher because it comes in many shades. Whichever color theme you select be sure to lay out your items before your vacay to ensure they work together.
Limit shoes and accessories to just your true favorites. If you work with your color scheme you should really only need 1-2 pairs of shoes (3 if you are bringing tennis shoes for exercise) and 1-2 handbags (one large for the day and one small for evenings out). These take up a lot of packing space so make some strategic choices up front.
Step 4: Outfit Check
Once you’ve settled on a color theme, have your versatile silhouettes and essentials planned out, it is time to do a quick run through of all the outfits you’ll create. I find it helpful to take a quick photo of each with my phone so I have it for reference. You will want to make sure you’ve created enough options for day (beach, site-seeing, swimming) and for night (casual and dressy).
Step 5: Pack it Up
In addition to your new capsule wardrobe remember to pack pajamas, swim suits and work out clothes. And think small when packing toiletries. Everything should be travel size and all sealed up in a Ziploc bag. Lastly, keep jewelry to a minimum. Again, just bring a few real favorites and you will have all you need.
Lessons Learned
All this packing wisdom came out of my 18-month sailing honeymoon. Once I was back on dry land I knew there had to be other women out there like me. This inspired me to start the business that I wish existed. Today I design and sell 5-piece Vacay resort wear collections that easily mix and match to create 15+ outfits for vacation. I love my customers and personally helping all women pack smarter. You can get more tips off VacayStyle’s website or you can email me directly. I would love to help you have your best vacation possible.
Vacay Founder, Elizabeth Hynes, has always had an eye for fashion. As a Texas girl who spent time in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and London, she has stayed on top of the latest fashion trends and identified early her talent for pulling together great looks. Earning her MBA from UCLA gave her the knowledge and contacts to enter the fashion industry and in 2003 she got her break with GAP Inc. in San Francisco, the nation’s largest clothing retailer. Early in her career at GAP she was selected to be one of a few merchants to move to London to establish the GAP Europe Buying Office. Spending a year overseas was an amazing experience and learning to create something from scratch was invaluable.
As a working mother of three young boys (ages 3, 5 and 6), Elizabeth unwinds by spending time with her family exploring the many pleasures of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Elizabeth has an undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the Anderson School of Business at the University of California, Los Angeles. Elizabeth lives with her loving family of three boys and her husband, Seth, in Mill Valley, California.
Elizabeth Hynes
Founder & CEO VacayStyle
elizabeth@vacaystyle.com
Website: https://vacaystyle.com/
Mar 8, 2017
It’s spring break week for our family so we’ve been busy packing our bags to head to the beach.
This inevitably brings back memories of a few years back when I was a terrible over-packer! At least 75% of what I brought on vacation never even got worn.
I’m now a recovered over-packer and can even go as far as calling myself a minimalist packer (pats self on back). The secret? I started to apply the same capsule wardrobe logic that I use to plan the GYPO Style Challenge but on a much smaller scale.
Rules of Packing
Now when I pack I follow these capsule wardrobe rules for every vacation:
- Only include pieces that can be paired up in at least 2-3 different ways.
- Pack only one pair of each type of shoe. One flat shoe, one with heels, and a sneaker.
- Bring as many accessories as you’d like, they don’t take up space and they go a long way toward changing up the look of your basics.
- Take pics on your smartphone of all of your outfit pairings before you go. It makes getting dressed every day that much easier!
At the top of my blog, you’ll find four different categories. Choose the Style one and select Packing Lists from the drop-down menu. As I’ve taken trips and created capsules through the years, I’ve collected them here. You’ll find all kinds of packing lists and mini-capsule wardrobes that are perfect for just about any kind of trip you have coming up.
Today I’ve compiled five of my most popular and useful spring break packing lists. Whether you’re headed to a sunny beach, going on a trip to Europe, or taking a quick four-day getaway, these lists will give you a good starting point for making the most out of what you pack!
Note: Some of these posts are a few years old so the shopping links to pieces may be sold out.
Be sure to check out all of the GYPO PACKING LISTS for ideas for girls, teens, and cold weather climates too!
