by | Jan 22, 2017 | Fashion |
Hello Beautiful People,
Friday was Inauguration Day, and Melania Trump is now the First Lady of the United States. Michelle Obama brought her own signature elegant style of fashion to the White House and now Melania will continue in that tradition of the First Lady being a fashion trend setter.
PUBLIC DOMAIN Former President Barak Obama hands over presidency to Trump at 58th Presidential Inauguration Photo by SSgt Marianique Santos, identified by DVIDS, is free of known copyright restrictions under U.S. copyright law.
Inauguration Ceremony and Parade
The new First Lady wore a stunning sky blue suit designed by iconic American designer Ralph Lauren. I agree, this dress suit does remind me of a modern-day version of the dress Jacqueline Kennedy wore in 1960.
- Sky Blue looks great on everyone because it makes you look more youthful and energized.
- The high collar V-shaped jacket elongates the body. The First Lady is 5’11 and she carries it off very well.
- The gloves are very retro — Jacqueline Kennedy. I like the monochromatic look, a very classic style. The pumps match perfectly.
- First Lady Melania Trump has her own style, so the hair up looks great because it puts the focus on the dress suit and makes it shine. Jacqueline Kennedy would have worn a pill box, however, the side swept updo looks very retro with this ensemble. The pressure of trying to be your own person as the First Lady has to be overwhelming. But,to have Ralph Lauren design a dress for you, I know must be so reassuring.
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Inauguration 2017 by SSG Kelvin Ringold, identified by DVIDS, is free of known copyright restrictions under U.S. copyright law.
You may not be waving to fans on Inauguration Day just yet; but you can incorporate sky blue into your wardrobe whether in a top (blouse), scarf, cardigan, jacket, or dress.
Inaugural Ball Gown
It is sky blue by day and ivory by night. For the Inaugural Ball, the First Lady changed into a stunning gown designed by Hervé Pierre, the former creative director for Carolina Herrera.
- The ivory dress is simple, but has classic lines and is very elegant.
- White or ivory is not an easy color to pull off; but the First Lady looks comfortable in her own skin.
- The asymmetrical ruffle cascading from the shoulder to the hip and running down the slit really elongates the body. And adding a touch of red with the slim tie gives definition and emphasis.
- The dress is demure and sexy at the same time with the high slit in front. Need that slit for dancing.
- Her hair is cascading over her shoulders and that’s fine for her because her dress is off the shoulder so it works.
PUBLIC DOMAIN Hail to the Chief at Liberty Ball by SGT Ashley Marble,identified by DVIDS, this photo is free of known copyright restrictions under U.S. copyright law.
A lot of people are afraid of wearing white, and ivory is a good way to ease in to this color scheme. Why not try an off white jacket or a pair of white dress pants or jeans with a color and see how it sets you in a class all your own. Wearing white is daring because few choose to go there. Step out and wear more white in your wardrobe.
Do you notice that in both looks monochromatic was the winning vote. From head to toe, it elongates the body and does not break up the look.
Disclaimer: This is a fashion post and if I see a beautiful dress, gown, or whatever I will write about it no matter whose wearing it. Fashion is Fashion sense.
by | Jan 19, 2017 | Beauty, Fitness |
Sometimes when you look at yourself in the mirror, it’s hard to feel enthusiastic about the person who’s looking back at you. It’s strange to see ourselves gaining weight and wrinkles as we age – we still feel seventeen inside, so what’s up with our reflections telling us something completely different? The truth is that as our appearances change as we get older, we have to develop new and healthier relationships with ourselves. Here are some tips on how to achieve that…
Invest In A New Wardrobe
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One of the best things about getting older is that you’ll almost invariably be earning more money. No one’s saying that you should go out and blow an entire month’s salary on a new dress, but at the same time, if you haven’t invested in clothes for a while then what’s stopping you? There are new rules to remember as you get older, though. Firstly, focus more on classic pieces than you used to. That doesn’t mean old lady clothes – on the contrary, look out for clothes that fit you well and that are high quality. You want to spend a little more and invest in clothes that will last for a long time. Above all else, you need a great coat that will carry you through the whole winter – go for a navy overcoat. Good quality leather boots and handbags will also get you through any social occasion.
Discover The World Of Skincare And Beauty
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If you’ve never been into makeup and skincare, then chances are it seems like a completely baffling and possibly pointless world to you. Some people will never be into eyeliner – and that’s absolutely okay. But if you are, it’s time to get a richer moisturizer with a high SPF to put on underneath your makeup to protect your delicate skin from the sun. Make sure you moisturize your neck, your hands and your décolletage as well as your face. Go for more neutral makeup – get a good quality eye-shadow palette in shades of brown that you can wear every day. You want a few good matte shades along with a couple of shimmers for extra sparkle in the evenings.
Get Fit And Healthy
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There’s nothing that makes you feel younger and better than being in good shape. As you age, your metabolism changes and a lot of us find that we end up gaining weight if we eat the same amount of junk at thirty that we did at twenty. Ditch the mac and cheese, and go for home cooked meals instead, containing plenty of lean protein and leafy greens. Ditch the store bought sauces with their high levels of sugar, and make your own after thoroughly investigating recipes online and the state of your spice rack. If you’ve never done any exercise, now is absolutely the time to start! Get going by walking around the block a couple of times a day, and gradually progress to running. If you’ve got a bit of spare cash, go to the gym and ask a personal trainer for advice.
FTC Disclaimer:
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
by | Jan 16, 2017 | Fitness |
Going to the gym is easy; however, pushing yourself to go harder is not. No matter what is keeping you from performing at a higher level, if you want to have a more efficient workout, you need to focus.
The staff of Biddulph, Huntsman & Dalling, a team of Idaho Falls orthopedic surgeons, suggests following these three simple steps to have a more effective workout:
- Have a Plan
- Bring a Friend
- Listen to Music
Have a Plan
Some people exercise to maintain their appearance, and others work out to improve their health or increase their energy. If you want to have a successful workout, you must prepare in advance. By planning your workout routine, you might see improvements almost immediately. The first step is creating a written plan. The plan should include the number of sets, reps and amount of time you will spend on each activity. By listing out each exercise, you will feel more comfortable and focus on the real reason you are at the gym.
Bring a Friend
Working out alone can be boring. To fight the boredom, try bringing a friend. Teaming up with someone you trust will help you stay productive, and it will also allow you to motivate one another to do better. When no one is there to cheer you on, it might be easier to give up. If you have a supporter, it is simpler to improve your performance. Be sure to share your written workout plan with your friend so you can be on the same page while at the gym. It is helpful to have a partner to push you and to spot you while you perform exercises.
Listen to Music
Though it might seem like a no-brainer, listening to music is a great way to keep your energy level high. It will help motivate you to keep pushing during your workout. Studies show listening to music helps people perform better and leave feeling more satisfied.The best songs will distract you from fatigue, help you keep pace, improve your mood and keep you focused. Create an upbeat playlist that motivates you and keeps your morale high.
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by | Jan 15, 2017 | Accessories, Fashion |
Hello Beautiful People,
A new year means a fresh start and the time to flourish.
I am always looking for quality at an awesome price.
My hubby and I just so happen to be watching a DIY show and a Macy’s commercial came on saying they were having some good deals on cashmere. I would always get a cashmere cardigan or sweater every Christmas, so this sale peaked our interest. Instead of heading to our local Macy’s, we checked out their website instead. I am so thankful we did that. We found the online selection to be so much greater than what we had ever found in person at the store. There were more items to choose from and so many colors choices.
We saw this beautiful black stripe with black and gray background cashmere poncho retailed for $149.00, on sale for $39.00 an with coupon marked down again to $29.00. Talking about a sale of the century. This is 2-pluy 100% cashmere and it is dry clean only.
Cashmere poncho
This poncho can go over a top, a blouse, a turtleneck, or even a dress. It is so lightweight, but oh so cozy.
It was cold when I first wore the poncho so I teamed it with a Alfani blue turtleneck, gray Isaac Mizrahi pants and my Clark ankle boots. I accessorized it with this cool Parisan-themed handbag.
Cashmere poncho
The poncho simply pulls over my head and I can drape how every I want to style it that day. The sleeves are not sewn so the silhouette is very relaxed.
This sale price was such a blessing, especially to find before Christmas. Usually these incredible markdowns are only seen after the New Year’s clearance events started.
A new year reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Here’s to a prosperous, overabundant New Year!
by | Jan 2, 2017 | Travels |
Hello My Road Tripping Friend!
Happy 2017!
Sometimes the best road trip is the one that is actually a day trip close to home. Living in the Gateway City, we have the awesome privilege of having Bald Eagles migrate into our region from the north during the winter months. Bald Eagles have been spotted in the area from November to March and lay their eggs in late February. With the land near the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers being their residence of choice, there are many opportunities to see these majestic birds, whether sitting in a nest, high in a tree or flying high above looking for something for dinner.
The Bald Eagle sitting in a tree along the Illinois River
Last week, my wife an I had an opportunity to be paparazzi with these local celebrities, trying to get that exclusive photo for our blog. We drove about an hour north of Saint Louis to Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Illinois. The State Park has offered eagle watching tours for many years and is popular with locals and tourists. The tour includes informational videos about the life of the Bald Eagle and how they were brought back from near extinction. We did the same tour last year, so we didn’t need to watch the videos a second time, so we arrived in time for the actual tour. The group left from the visitor center in a convey, under the direction of the Park staff who have been tracking the Eagles where-abouts. Our convoy started with about fifteen cars, but by the end of the day, we were one of only three vehicles remaining. The tour begins at 8:30am and lasts until about 3:30pm, and includes a stop for lunch. The tour may have been too much for some people to do all day.
Depending on where the Bald Eagles have been spotted, the tour can include a ferry ride across the Illinois River (we took the Brussels Ferry), a stop off at the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge and through the towns of Brussels, Hardin and Kampsville before returning back to the visitor center. Last year, we saw several Bald Eagles but only from a far distance, so the binoculars didn’t do any good. We didn’t get any photos worth sharing. This year, we had a completely different experience. We saw fewer Bald Eagles, but they were sitting in trees near the river’s edge. We were able to drive right up to them in our vehicles and then under them, without flying off. I could get out of the Jeep and walk up to the tree and grab a photo of them, while JT would drive a little closer and then catch a view of there with the binoculars. The photo above is one my favorites from the day. Below are more.
A Bald Eagle from across the river bank
Sometimes you will see a Bald Eagle from across the river bank. Here we see one from the opposite side of the Illinois River. Even with a pair of binoculars and zoom on your camera, it is hard to get a good view of it.
Such a majestic bird
WOW!!
Our hope was to get at least one good photo of an Bald Eagle up close. Needless to say, these paparazzi were able to get several (hundred) good shots. Too many to share here. We went home happy.
ROAD TRIPPING TIPS FOR BALD EAGLE WATCHING
- Go with a group!
Unless you are an experienced bird watcher and are familiar with the area, I recommend that you look for an organized group or an event to enhance your experience. From the Chain of Rocks Bridge up to Pere Marquette State Park and beyond, you can find groups and towns that offer bus tours, educational programs and informational videos. While you will see many Bald Eagles flying along the Great River Road, your best bet to see one up close is to get off the main highway and take the back roads between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. This area is very isolated and it is easy to get lost if you do not know how to get around. Plus, a guide can enhance the experience with eagle-watching stories and take you to out-of-the-way places that you would have overlooked if you were on your own.
- Don’t forget the binoculars and the camera!
The Bald Eagle is a majestic bird and is an amazing sight to see. A good pair of binoculars are a must because they are difficult to see up close. They tend to fly off when humans are in close range or if dinner is close at hand. A pair of binoculars will help you see them even then them are far away. If you are fortunate enough to get close enough to see, you will want to photograph them. A good quality DSLR camera with a high zoom feature is essential because you will want a clear image and not just a black and white blob that you have imagine as an eagle. And a clear image of a Bald Eagle will impress your friends.
- Be prepared for nothing!
Bald Eagle watching is a fun experience, but there is the unfortunate possibility that you will not see many (or any) eagles on your outing. One key factor is the weather. The warmer the winter is in general, the less you will see. When we went on the tour last year, the temperatures for the season had been above average. Our guide called it the worst season he had seen in over twenty years for seeing eagles. We only seen a handful, but none were close enough to capture a good photo. Also, if the day is windy, the eagles tend to stay in the trees and not move around much. Bald Eagles move around a lot. If you (or the guide) saw an eagle in a location on one day, it does not mean that they will be there the next day or the next hour.
If you get a chance to venture out and see the bald eagles, leave us a comment about your experience. Tell us about where you went and how many you saw. And if you capture a good image, please share it with us.
Happy Eagle Watching!!
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