Truly Styled

Some days you have to stop...

Some days it feels like things are really hard.  Then, you get a text from a friend who is going to visit her friend's 2 year old who's kidney is failing.  Or, you realize that today is the day that your friend is having a lumpectomy to remove cancer from her breast.  You realize quickly that life is pretty amazing.

Today is a beautiful day in Chicago.  One that we've been waiting for what seems like forever.  I decided to go for a run.  I strapped on my heart rate monitor and took off for a 40 minute run.  The start of the run was filled with thinking of the past few years and how it's been challenging at times.  The minute I saw the lake my thoughts quickly changed.  I thought of all the people in my life who have had struggling times.  I thought of how truly blessed I am.  I thought of how my legs are able to run, my ears are able to hear the birds, my eyes can see the beauty that God has created for me.  As I got closer to the lake I realized that I have to stop running.  I guess I mean that figuratively as well as literally.  I am a very disciplined runner and do all of my exercising based on where my heart rate is.    As I neared the lake I felt the need to stop, to turn off the ipod, forgot about my heart rate and just be.  Be in the moment.  Enjoy God's beauty and really take in all that I am blessed with.  When we stop running we are much better at realizing our many, many blessings.  So, I stood there for a few minutes and took it in.  Really took it in.  Then I walked the beach.  Continuing to enjoy my many, many blessings.

I'll run tomorrow and probably the day after using my heart rate monitor.  But what I realized today is that some days you have to just stop, enjoy and be.  Otherwise you will miss true peace, enjoyment and God's many blessings.

A few trends i'm loving...

Here are a few trends I think are worth adding this spring.

A nude shoe.

Goes with anything, elongates the leg.  Perfect with a black dress or any color for that matter.  Trend proof!

Coats.

Trench (always)

Sport utility and military influence.  Sporty, comfortable.  Be wary of too much at one time.  The key is balance. 

Motorcycle.  Always cool. For spring liking cream. 

Bold Beads/statement necklaces

You can find them anywhere.  Target, Old Navy, Nordstrom, Banana

Wedges (still!)

With cork or wood heels in brown are really hot and comfortable.

Prints

Add them on your skirt or your shirt or in a dress (but not all together).  Flowers, patterns, animal.

More later on where to find great deals and other fun items to add for the season.

Planning a sunny trip

We all know how exciting it is to prepare for a trip to a sunny destination, especially with the winter we've been dealing with.  It can be exciting yet daunting too.  Your bag can't weigh more than 50lbs (it already costs $20 to check it, over 50 add $75!) so you really have to know what to pack.  We just got back from a terrific trip to Mexico.  It was my husband and our two children (one boy, one girl).  Let me share what I learned which will hopefully make your vacation a breeze!

1.  Think about how many bags are realistic.  My goal was to check two. One large for the kids and  and one medium for my husband.  We wanted to bring our own snorkle gear (which was great for the pool and beach but not needed for actual 'real' excursion). We also needed a floaty device for the little guy.  Bulky.  Having a limit of the suitcases had me reel it in.  I also heard about a portable weighing machine for backage.  LLBean sells it.  Travels with you.  Wish I had it.  On the way home we weighed our bag and it was 54lbs.  We were lucky to have the time to move things around before we hit the check-in stand (the dirty looks would have been awful had we held up an already hour wait). 

2.  Shop a friends closet (for your clothes and kids).  Find a friend with your same size (and good taste) and friends with your kids size.  Most likely they won't be needing their cute summer dresses and cover-ups at the same time you'll need them.  I was able to borrow kids snorkle gear for the kids, a floaty thing for them and adorable summer dresses and cover-ups for me.  Going through my summer stuff was like looking at new stuff, however it was really fun to add some new pieces for a few days. 

3.  Find room for any medicines or sunscreen.  I thought we packed enough with 2 bottles of 55 for kids and 30 for my husband and I.  Well, two out of four of us needed aloe and a higher sunscreen and the cost of it at the resort was crazy!!  Better to make room for anything you think you'd need (asprin, bandaids, tums, ...)

4.  Lay out everything you'll be taking and take time to try it on.  This is a sure way to know what you are packing will be worn and all the different ways it can be used.  I try on every outfit.  If that seems crazy (it's actually fun) then lay it out in all the different ways.

5.  Plan on using items in different ways.  I always plan on utilizing what I wear on the plane as part of my wardrobe.  Coming from Chicago to Mexico means layering.  Go to the airport in light-weight pants that can be rolled up, a tank or short sleeve top, a large scarf (that can be used as a wrap in the airplane and as a fun accessory with a sundress or as a wrap for cooler nights), a jean jacket (I had to wear it a few nights) and flats (pack flip-flops in your carry on). 

6.  Must haves (for 4-5 days):

    4-5 sundresses (some can be used as coverups)

    Light weight cardigan

    Flip-flops for pool

    Sandals for dresses (two should do, have neutral colors to go with everything)

    2-3 workout outfits

    2-4 swimsuits (if you can pack one for every day, makes it fun)

    2 cover-ups (again, use your sundresses)

    Hat if you have room on carry-on

    Sunscreens (see above) and tinted moisturizer for darker skin

    1 pair of shorts (unless you will be wearing sundresses for casual time.  with kids, shorts are a         good bet)

    2 tank tops

    Your travel gear can be used as wardrobe options as well

    Sunglasses and a great attitude!!

Have a great trip!!