May 25, 2018
by Elysha Lenkin
You know how some days getting dressed is a breeze, and every piece you put on feels amazing? And then there are the other days; when everything you try on feels wrong. For those days, when finding an outfit that feels good is a struggle, I’ve put together some stylist tips for how to dress with confidence even when you have to push past the dissatisfaction with how you look so you can feel great in everything you wear.
How to Dress With Confidence
1. Know Your Shape
Understanding your body type is key to finding a truly flattering fit for your clothes. When your clothing fits well, you feel more comfortable, plus it’s easier to move around. Also, when you know which silhouettes work best for your body, you’ll be able to select pieces that complement your figure. I always recommend dressing for your shape, not your weight.
2. Accept Your Body
While wearing clothes that fit you well will definitely help you feel good, if you’re not satisfied with your body overall, you’ll never be comfortable in your skin. When I’m feeling self-conscious, whether it’s about my arms or stomach, I tend to fidget with my clothes. Sometimes it can take me 20 tries just to find an outfit I want to wear. On these days, I realize that it’s not the clothes causing the issue, but rather it’s my attitude about my body. Accepting our bodies as they are today is a major component of feeling great in what we wear.
3. Be Clear On What Suits Your Personality
The reality is there are a lot of styles out there that won’t be right for you. Maybe it’s because they’re the wrong cut for your body type, or they may not be your taste. It’s important to know what you like and want to wear so your style stays a strong reflection of who you are. This way you don’t end up looking like a fashion/trend victim, but instead, you always look like yourself. One way to know if something suits your personality is to ask the question, does this garment look like me? Your answer will tell you everything you need to know.
4. Have Fun
I realize that getting dressed comes easier on some days while other days it can be a struggle. As mentioned above, many times the difficulty of finding an outfit stems from my attitude, which can weigh me down. When I relax and lighten up, I can become more experimental with my style. It is then that I discover new looks, try out fresh ideas and enjoy myself in the process. This should be fun, and who doesn’t like having fun? A playful attitude goes a long way in helping you feel great in what you wear.
5. Learn From Your Mistakes
Since we all have some oops moments where we end up feeling terrible in our clothes, the way to benefit from this is to use it as an opportunity for learning. If I go out in a scratchy wool sweater that kept me itchy and hot all day, I’ll remember this when I’m shopping for sweaters, and test out the fabrics before I buy. If I feel self-conscious in a skirt because it seemed too short, I’ll know to layer leggings underneath next time, or let the hem down for more coverage. By zeroing in on what caused you to feel uncomfortable in your outfit, you give yourself the gift of learning what makes you happy.
Once you understand your shape, accept your body, have clarity around your taste, have fun with your style, and learn from your mistakes, you’re on track to feeling great in everything you wear. You’ve learned how to dress with confidence and when you’re happy with how you look, others will see this too.
About Elysha
Elysha Lenkin helps busy women get the glow of confidence that comes from looking current in their clothing and feeling amazing in their skin. As a commercial stylist for 20 years, she’s styled women of all shapes and sizes including Tina Fey, Carrie Underwood and Serena Williams. Sign up for Elysha’s free challenge to Reclaim Your Style and create your signature look in 5 days.
May 11, 2018
by Kristin Thomas
Hiya, pretty! It’s finally that time of year – we can open up our windows, put on our floral dresses, and dance around the streets in our flip-flops. But if you’ve felt hesitation to look at yourself in the mirror lately, dreading what your lackluster winter diet did to your arms, buttocks, and stomach, I have a plan for you! Spring doesn’t have to mean exposing flabby arms, summer doesn’t have to mean covering up the cellulite on your legs, and you shouldn’t need to suck in any belly fat. There are many beautiful ways you can support your body both now and year-round to keep those lean lines and make you feel your best in your monthly fixes.
As a functional nutrition practitioner, I coach women just like your pretty self to find the best foods that can nourish the body, be good to your digestion, and keep you lean and happy all year round. I’d like to offer several of my tips to you today! Let’s dig in.
1. Color, Color, Color!
Just like your wardrobe, your plate should be filled with vibrant, colorful foods. White foods like bread, rice, and sugar offer minimal nutritional value, are often the cause of bloating and skin rashes, and just don’t serve your body well! Instead, focus on dark leafy greens like kale, spinach and collard greens with every meal. Indulge in seasonal fruits like blueberries, peaches, and strawberries and enjoy colorful cruciferous veggies like purple cabbage and broccoli or broccolini. And as much as you can, enjoy organic produce as well as organic and pasture-raised meats (so long as you’re not a vegetarian). Grab my free recipe guide to see these foods in action!
The more whole foods you can eat, the better you’ll nourish your body, and when you eat naturally, you help to balance your metabolism naturally. Not only can good food choices help you to lose weight, they can also give you brighter, more glowing skin, a clearer mind, and more energy to enjoy the beautiful summer sunlight!
2. Follow the 80% Rule
Have you ever been guilty of eating until you’re painfully full? I am, and with the massive portion sizes we’re fed today, most of us are overeating. More calories in equals more weight on the scale — especially if it’s unhealthy calories. A rule of thumb I encourage all of my clients to follow is this: Eat until you’re 80% full.
Did you know that it can take up to 20 minutes for our brain to receive a signal from our stomach that we’re full? Scarfing down meals doesn’t give your body time to send that signal, so you may not actually realize when you’re full — until it’s a bit too late. So slow down, fill your plate a little less, and enjoy every bite! That brings us to my third tip…
3. Become Mindful of your Food
Mindful eating is a beautiful concept. It means becoming more in tune with your food and nourishing your body. This not only allows you to appreciate the flavors of all the colorful foods you’ll be eating, but also to slow down and not overeat.
The first step is to become present with your meal. You can do this by putting away electronics, taking a few deep breaths before sitting down, and smelling your food. These small rituals send a big signal to your digestive system that it’s time to eat, which helps to promote healthy digestion. Then, focus on chewing more and chewing slower. This may seem like simple tips, but you’d be surprised how often we don’t do this! Many of my clients, as healthy as they are, often realize they half-chew their food and by chewing more (about 30 chews per bite of food) they were able to better digest their food. Half-chewed food is much tougher for your digestive tract to process, which can cause food to sit stagnant in your belly, causing uncomfortable pain and bloating — and who wants to feel that way during bikini season?!
When you’re done eating, express gratitude. Feel grateful to be able to put food on your plate, to eat well, prioritize your health, and feel love for your body. These positive affirmations can go a long way towards boosting your health — the mind-body connection is real, ladies!
4. Drink Lemon Water with Apple Cider Vinegar Daily
This is my all-time favorite drink and I’m so excited to share it with you! I’m a huge fan of morning rituals and this is a good one for everyone to work in. Lemons are fantastic both for digestive health and detoxification, and apple cider vinegar (ACV) is great for digestion as well as metabolism, weight loss, and much more. Together, they’re a powerful combo.
Here’s how to make this drink:
Mix 1 Tbsp of ACV with the juice of 1 fresh squeezed lemon and mix in 8 oz of filtered water. Drink this every morning before eating breakfast.
This helps to stimulate your metabolism and digestion, as well as help your body to detox the toxins from the night (when our bodies go through the biggest detox process of the day). Many of my clients end up making this a part of their daily routine long after working with me because the benefits are so great and it really puts a pep in their step!
5. Get Curious About Your Metabolism
If weight doesn’t seem to budge no matter how well you eat or exercise, your metabolism and digestion may need a boost. There could be an underlying reason why the number on the scale won’t budge. Perhaps you’re low in enzymes that are necessary to digest food. This can lead to slower transit time and food sitting around in your stomach. If you go to the bathroom less frequently than you think you should, or feel a heaviness in your tummy, it could be a transit issue.
Or, perhaps there’s an infection going on that’s causing your system to go a little haywire, causing things like bloating, holding onto weight, cravings, and so on. If this is the case for you, you may want to look into running a functional lab test that looks at your digestion and metabolism with a practitioner like myself to then find out what you can to do rebalance your body.
If you’d like to get in touch about that, you can book a free intro call with me to learn more!
6. Get Your Zzzz’s
Did you know that just a few nights of poor sleep can lead to faster aging of the skin, a decline in memory (hello, brain fog!), weight gain (eek!), and more? When we sleep, our bodies repair and rejuvenate themselves, so if we sleep less or sleep poorly, we lose the ability to do that, which can have widespread health effects.
So how can you boost sleep? First, check in with your mind. Is it racing before bed? If so, work in some relaxing nighttime activities like taking a bath, meditating, journaling, doing some yoga stretches, reading an enjoyable book, or another relaxing activity that will take your mind off of your worries. Then, check in on your environment. Do noises or lights wake you up frequently? If so, consider buying a white noise machine and a sleep mask to give your body absolute peace.
A few other rituals I like to practice are diffusing lavender essential oil near my bedside, taking magnesium before bed (this is very calming to the body) and drinking chamomile tea 1 hour before hitting the sack. Whichever tools work for you, make them a priority every night so you can improve your beauty sleep and wake up rejuvenated! Oh, and have patience — it may take a few days or a week to set into a routine and allow your body to adjust.
Live Your Best You This Spring and Summer
I am so excited for you to begin implementing these tips! They’re the ones I practice every day and encourage my clients to do as well. No matter where you are with your health today, doing one healthy thing for your body every day will do your body good. Over time, you’ll see a difference in your metabolism, weight management, appetite, mood, memory, and overall sense of wellbeing! Top that with an amazing outfit, and you’ll soon be unstoppable!
BONUS!
Join Alison and Kristin LIVE on Facebook on Friday, May 18th for a discussion on “New Diet, New Wardrobe: A Nutritionist and Stylist Help You Feel Your Best this Spring & Summer.” If you have questions you’d like us to cover during the Live, comment below to let us know! Head on over to our Facebook page and hit ‘Like’ so you can be notified when we go live on Friday, May 18th.
PLUS, those of you who attend live will be entered to win a FREE 30-minute session with Kristin and a Style Challenge by Get Your Pretty On!
About Kristin
Kristin Thomas is not only highly trained in Functional Health Practices, she has lived through chronic illness and reversed her own ulcerative colitis and other health challenges such as leaky gut, food sensitivities, hormone imbalance and a half dozen gut infections. She is a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and Holistic Health Coach with additional training in digestive health, hormone balancing, SIBO, thyroid conditions, detoxification, and stealth infectious disease. She helps clients determine what lab tests will best illuminate why they feel sick and what actions to take to feel better. She then guides them toward better health by eliminating the factors creating the loss of function, putting meaningful lifestyle interventions in place, homing in on the right diet, and working to unblock the physical and emotional factors that led to poor health. Kristin’s clients say that when they work with her, they feel truly understood, truly heard (often for the first time in their life), that she is compassionate and provides her clients with the answers they are so desperately seeking.
May 2, 2018
I’m going to go ahead and proclaim it – this will be the summer of the kimono!
If you haven’t yet discovered the greatness of this lightweight layer, let me bestow it upon you.
Kimonos are the perfect way to add pattern and color to an outfit without adding warmth or weight.
If you live in a hot climate like I do, it’s super important to make your basics feel cute in the summer. We Texans get stuck in a tank top, shorts and flip flops rut. Accessories used to be our only option to make an outfit feel special without adding heat.
Enter the magical kimono…
It can instantly transform an outfit from blah to wow. There are SO many beautiful colors and patterns to choose from. Throw it on over your basics tee and shorts (or denim skirt), add sandals and accessories and you’re out the door in style!
For this month’s Pretty Fix, I’m styling a kimono one of the ways I’d wear it this summer. If you’re new around here and don’t know what the Pretty Fix is, it’s a few pieces I recommend to stay on trend without breaking the bank. The idea for it was born out of frustration some of you had with box styling services that are too pricey for the quality of the pieces. With the Pretty Fix, you can shop where you want and spend what you want.
Without further ado, here’s May’s Pretty Fix!
Pretty Fix: The May List
If you add just one piece to your wardrobe this month, make it a lightweight patterned kimono! You’re going to want more than one.
We just recently added these two kimonos to the Alison + Aubrey collection in mint and navy floral.
Camellia Kimono
Dahlia Kimono
This sweet little smocked top reminds me of one I had as a child. It’s great for layering under a lightweight kimono but the fun details make it perfect to wear on it’s own.
Smocked Square Neck Top
These abstract hammered hoops are my new everyday earrings. They’re just the right size and come in gold, silver and rose gold.
Ingrid Abstract Hammered Hoop Earrings – Gold
Denim skirts are a big upcoming trend for summer. They are a great alternative to denim shorts! If you don’t have one yet, now’s the time to add it to your collection. I promise you’ll get tons of wear out of it! I also like the length on this one and stretch on this one.
Light Wash Denim Skirt
Choose a color from your kimono and pair up some bright sandals with it. This pair is on sale for $6.50!
I keep seeing these round rattan crossbody bags everywhere this spring. They’re a cute way to add some neutral texture to any outfit and scream summer!
It’s Your Turn: What pieces do you plan to add to your wardrobe this month? Tell us in the comments!
I FEEL PRETTY
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.
2. Link up your pretty post.
3. Link back to GYPO.
4. Visit other pretties!
Feb 9, 2018
by Ami Hanson
When was the last time you looked in your closet and loved every single piece in there? If it’s ever happened before, it’s probably been a while since you’ve felt that way. About twice a year I get the overwhelming feeling of boredom with every piece of clothing in my closet. Nothing is safe: tank tops, sandals, scarves, basic shirts – they all receive an eye roll while I’m picking out the lucky outfit of the day. To solve this dilemma of disdain, I go on a “spending spree” to spruce up my wardrobe. And by “spending spree,” I mean I purchase as much as I can for as little cash as possible. Here’s how I maintain a pretty style on a budget!
1. Shop Thrift and Second-Hand
When I get bored with everything in my closet, I get an itch to go shopping. However, I’m not a shopaholic. I can only handle shopping like this a few times a year. Usually, around fall and spring, I like to get new clothes for the upcoming seasons. While my haul is pretty large, I’m still a cheapskate when it comes to purchasing clothes. I like to visit the “cheap-o” stores that others might not think to go to, or only go to on occasion. Goodwill, Plato’s Closet, and Uptown Cheapskate (see if there’s one in your area) are some of my favorites. Do a little research and see what local thrift stores are in your area. Also, at places like Uptown Cheapskate, you can take in the clothes you don’t want anymore, get cash and use that to help fund your new clothing purchases!
2. Wait and Shop the Clearance
When I venture into the “pricier” stores, I always make a beeline for the clearance sections. Let me stop right here. If you’re not shopping the clearance section of retail stores, you’re missing out! I love going straight to those racks in Target to see what kind of treasures I can find. I try not to get anything over $12 or $13, but there’s always plenty of goodies! One purchase that I was particularly excited about was a dress I needed for a bridal shower this past fall. It’s a deep, fall purple color, it matches with several style outfits, and it’s perfect for most seasons. It’s easy math: a versatile dress + clearance prices = Ami’s buying!
My husband and I both rocking some of our clearance finds! I absolutely love this dress!
I don’t mean to change your whole way of thinking (okay, maybe I do…), but what if we shopped toward the end of a season instead of the beginning of a season?? Notice how I said toward the end… Y’all know all these retail stores start putting away their sweaters in January to make room for those bikinis! Well, there’s a whole other month or two of good winter time (at least where I am) that I could be wearing sweaters! What I’m getting at here is if you shop toward the end of any given season, you will probably find clothes that are still in style and that you’d still be able to wear with the month or two that you have left in that season.
Women’s Navy Floral Crochet Trim Blouse – Reg $37.99 Clearance $18.98
It’s about to be spring in a couple months, so I might go grab a couple of sweaters for me and my husband, like the one below, that I know will be in style this year and next.
Men’s Cable Crew Neck Sweater – Reg $34.99 Clearance $17.48
Tip: Many of these clearance racks have the previous season’s styles; just put them away for next season, and it’ll be a fun surprise to see your “new clothes” when you open those bins the following year! Also, I don’t have kids yet, but I hear they grow. A lot. Each year. So that means one year’s winter coat or tennis shoes might not fit the following year. Try shopping the end-of-the-year clothes sales to snag the sizes that your kids will probably fit in next year!
3. Mix and Match From Your Closet
One REALLY easy way to save money while staying stylish is, well – not spending money at all. “But wait, Ami, how is that possible if I want a new wardrobe…” Well, let’s start with Alison Lumbatis, a stylist and blogger who has taught me (and thousands of others) lots of ways to own, wear and shop for a capsule wardrobe. One of my favorite tips she gives is to “shop your own closet.” Spend some time really getting to know what’s actually in your closet. Pull out some of your favorite items, then mix and match them in a new way! Even try to get them out of their comfort zone and pull a few pieces out to your bed or a couch or something. Physically move them around to see what new and exciting combinations you can come up with! It’s fun. 😉
Well, there you have it. A couple of fun, simple, and affordable ways you can shop for clothes, keep them out of sight and mind for a few seasons, and look in your own closet for a few new and exciting possibilities! Until next time!
Where are some of your favorite places to score some amazing deals and finds?
About Ami
I’m Ami Hanson, and I’m an outgoing and twirly – yet organized and particular – Texan gal. I’m interested in way too many things, like (in no particular order) food, fashion, home improvement, my husband, my dog, Jesus, grammar/English language, philosophical ponderings, world events – all of it. So I decided to write about it all in my new blog called Being Amiable! I love my amazing husband and silly dog more than most things, and I quote Friends and Gilmore Girls way too much. Welcome to my crazy – but structured – corner of the world!
Jan 17, 2018
You know how obsessed I am with creating packing lists so it’s high time for a new one – this time it’s for our trip to Chicago. It’s the perfect packing list for cold weather.
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that my husband Craig, our daughter Aubrey and I took a post-holiday trip to Chicago last week with one goal in mind…eating! Therefore, we didn’t really think about the fact that we were scheduling our trip during one of the coldest times of the year to visit.
Boy were our Texas acclimated bodies in store for a shock!
You ladies in cold climates already know this but let’s just say that what to wear in Chicago in winter can be summed up in one word: LAYERS!
On the day of our arrival, the high was 9 degrees with a wind chill of -15. Heatwave! After checking our forecast for the week, I packed up a few of the pieces from the Winter 2017 GYPO Style Challenge to create a mini capsule wardrobe for our four day weekend in Chicago.
IMAGE LINK”>
Although this post isn’t about what to do in Chicago, let me recommend the following: The Art Institute of Chicago, Portillo’s for Italian Roast Beef and Chicago dogs, Sky Deck (go out on the platform, I dare you!), the Lincoln Park Zoo (it’s empty on a cold day!), Second City (world class improv, one of our favorite things we did), Museum of Science and Industry (fun and interactive) and of course shopping on the Magnificent Mile.
That smile is actually a look of terror! I HATE heights, hate, hate, hate, loathe entirely. One of my 2018 goals is to feel the fear and do it anyway, so, thanks Sky Deck, mission accomplished!
The frozen tundra a.k.a. Lake Michigan.
A fun night of improv at Second City.
20 Piece Chicago Packing List – Winter Weekend
This 20 piece packing list for cold weather will give you plenty of dress up/dress down options that will work for everything from a walking tour of the city to dinner and drinks out. In addition to these 20 pieces, I also brought a work out outfit (wishful thinking – that didn’t happen!), two pairs of pajamas and of course, bras and undies.
Tip: Pin this post for future reference. It’s a great packing list for any cold weather destination!
Sweaters
1. Tunic Sweater (any solid color)
2. Black Turtleneck Sweater
3. Gray Sweater
Bottoms
4. Faux Leather or Fleece Lined Leggings
5. Gray Jeans
Coats
6. Wool Top Coat
7. Black Parka
Footwear
8. Leopard Ankle Boots
9. Black Rugged Boots
Scarves
10. Plaid Blanket Scarf (coordinate with tunic sweater)
11. Faux Fur Scarf
12. Buffalo Plaid Scarf
Hat
13. Pom Pom Beanie
Layering Tops
14. Long Sleeved White Top
15. Long Sleeved Black Top
Accessories
16. Cross Body Purse
17. Pendant Necklace
18. Earrings
19. Wool Socks
20. Leggings or Tights (for layering)
Mix and Match Outfits for Cold Weather Vacation
Each sweater is styled two different ways for a total of six outfits – one version for comfortably (and warmly) touring the city, the other version is dressier and appropriate for going out to dinner.
Outfit #1
Outfit #2
Outfit #3
Outfit #4
Outfit #5
Outfit #6
Interested in more than just a packing list for cold weather?
Visit the Style Challenge Shop for the most current Seasonal Style Challenge.
