What To Wear On The Hot Summer Days

Hello Elegant Readers,
What to wear? What to wear? Have you ever stood in front of your closet and wondered what you were doing to wear on those summer days. It can be hot and humid one day, and the next day it can be raining. It can be frigid on the inside but steamy on the outside. Instead of dressing the same way for the entire summer season, I have to dress for the day. This picture below is me getting ready to leave for work.


Living in the Show-Me State, summers are typically hot and humid, and I want my outfit to be as cool as possible. On this day. I wanted my clothing to be free-flowing because it was hot but not as steamy. The cotton blouse is Isaac Mizrahi, and the polyester gauchos are from Bob Mackie. Having a cotton blouse and polyester pants was okay because it was in the 90-degree temperatures, but I wouldn’t be wearing polyester if it was a muggy day. The polyester in these gauchos actually felt breathable and not heavy. My leather sneakers are from Vince Camuto. It is great to have a cute and comfortable shoe that works well with a variety of outfits. My leather handbag is a Dooney and Bourke Hattie that is great on the shoulder.

Even with temps reaching near 100 degrees outside, you have to remember that the inside will be much cooler. Whether you are in the grocery store, at church, or work, the air conditioning is turned down and makes it feel like it is 20 or 30 degrees cooler. In these situations, there are great options without bringing out the winter parka. If I have a shirt or a dress with no short sleeves or no sleeves, I always carry a lightweight cardigan with me just in case. Dressing in layers is something that we should do all year long it’s not only for fall and winter.

Tips for dressing for summer

– Dress in layers: bring a lightweight cardigan or sweater with you just in case it’s chilly

– Look for key pieces like blouses, pants that are natural fibers because there’s breathability

– If it’s not too hot, you can wear polyester but make sure it’s not heavy

– Step outside of your comfort zone and wear a piece of clothing  (like a skirt or scarf) or color you normally wouldn’t wear

How Does Your Lifestyle Affect Complications During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy takes a huge toll on your body, and there is always the chance of complications. In most cases, you will be absolutely fine, and even though you will notice a lot of changes to your body, you and your baby will be perfectly healthy. However, things can always go wrong, and your doctor will talk to you about the potential issues you may face. 

Image From Pixabay CCO License

You can’t always avoid these complications, but there are some simple ways that you can keep yourself healthy and reduce the chances of a difficult pregnancy and birth. These are some of the most effective ways to avoid pregnancy complications. 

Attend All Of Your Appointments
All of the appointments with your doctor during your pregnancy are scheduled for a reason. At these appointments, you will be checked over for any potential health problems, and scans will assess the health of your baby. If issues can be picked up early, they can be dealt with before they cause any complications. But they can only do that if you attend all of your appointments, so make sure that you keep on top of your schedule and don’t miss any. 

Maintain A Healthy Weight
Weight gain drastically increases the chances of pregnancy complications, so you must maintain a healthy weight. Naturally, you will gain weight when you are pregnant. Still, you must avoid eating lots of sugary foods because this increases the chances of developing preeclampsia. This high blood pressure condition can affect the baby’s oxygen levels in the womb. It can also lead to gestational diabetes. On the other hand, being underweight can lead to serious complications too. So, make sure that you eat a healthy, balanced diet and speak to your doctor if you are concerned about your weight while pregnant. Visit https://www.tommys.org for a guide on healthy eating during pregnancy.

Look After Your Oral Health 
Many people don’t realize it, but oral health can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. Unfortunately, you have a higher risk of developing gum disease when you are pregnant, so you must take care of your oral health. Book an appointment with an experienced dentist (like this one at http://smilesbymia.com/) and regularly visit throughout the pregnancy. Keep on top of your oral hygiene routine at home too, and if you notice any small problems, get them checked out right away.

Get Plenty Of Sleep 
Studies show that lack of sleep can also increase your risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, so make sure that you get plenty of sleep. This is often easier said than done because many women have insomnia during pregnancy—simple lifestyle changes like exercising during the day and finding ways to reduce stress can help. However, if it is becoming a serious problem, you should speak to your doctor about potential medical treatments. 

If you follow these steps, you can drastically reduce the chances of complications during pregnancy. However, you should always consult your doctor if you are worried about anything because complications are always possible.  

Summer Picnic Giveaway

Hello, My Elegant Readers

Summer is upon us now, and it is time to head outside and enjoy the warmer days. Well, at least in my area of the Show-Me State, it can be too humid to spend too much time outside. The air can be so thick that breathing is a challenge. Maybe on a cooler day with low humidity, it would be great to spend an afternoon in the park with your family and enjoy a picnic lunch. Here is your chance to win a picnic set from Katherine and my giveaway friends.

summer picnic giveaway

 

the giveaway gals at Katherines corner

Please remember to subscribe and follow Katherine and all her hostesses so you can earn all of your entry opportunities.

Katherine — Katherines Corner

Lisa — Casa Bouquet

Diane — Mamal Diane

Karren — Oh My Heartsie Girl

Laura — Everyday Edits

Disclaimer – from Katherines Corner when applicable-Some of Katherines giveaways may have sponsors and/or reviews included. Katherines Corner may receive compensation for reviews and advertising provided through a sponsored giveaway. However, no compensation will influence the outcome of any review or giveaway win. Katherines Corner provides reviews to readers to provide an informed decision before the purchase. Katherines Corner and its affiliate Bobskatie Enterprises reserves the right not to publish a review of a product or products that do not meet the specified instructions provided to product submission companies or individuals. Reviews are posted in the appropriate section at Katherines Corner and may also be posted on Amazon.com (subject to product availability). This disclaimer is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

To enter, please log into the entry form using your email address.

Have fun and Good Luck with the Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

4 Ways To Boost Your Self-Confidence

The key to gaining confidence in how you look is all wrapped up in taking care of yourself. With a positive mindset and a goal to put your best self out there, you can gain and maintain confidence in no time! If you’re feeling insecure about your looks, check out these four ideas to boost your confidence and maintain the glow that you already have within you.

Groom Yourself
One of the best ways that you can refresh yourself is through grooming. While grooming, you can do the bare minimum of showering, shaving, and moisturizing. Or you can pamper yourself with a self-care routine. Here are a few examples of some self-care activities:

– Take a bath
– Paint your nails
– Throw on a beauty mask
– Exfoliate your skin
– Moisturize your lips
– Play around with makeup
– Do a hair treatment

Engage in Exercise
Exercising is a great way to gain confidence. You can create health goals, strengthen your body, and try out new routines to give yourself more energy. When you exercise, you are prioritizing your health and your body. Exercising also gives you a goal to work towards and motivation to better your overall health. You can start with a simple routine or create a workout calendar with designated health goals if you’re a beginner. One of the best parts of jumping into an exercise routine is that you can choose one that best suits you. 

If you want to be more flexible, you can do yoga, or if you want to build stamina, you can start including a run in your weekly schedule. Whatever you choose to do, remember that you’re doing it to make yourself feel better. Go with an exercise routine that’s fun.

Here’s a beginning workout video:

Take Care of Your Smile
Smiling is a great way to build your confidence and show everyone around you that you have command of the room. When you smile, you want to feel strong and good about yourself. That’s exactly why taking care of your teeth is extremely important. Give some love to your teeth by visiting the dentist, brushing and flossing your teeth, and rinsing your mouth with mouthwash. Nothing screams confidence more than a nice smile! You can add this to your self-care routine and call it a day.

Dress For Yourself
Everyone’s heard the phrase, “dress for success.” But what if you started dressing to impress yourself? Clothes and fashion play a powerful role in expression and identity. You can try new styles out and see what look fits your personality the best. When you take the time to wear clothes that make you feel good, you nurture your confidence and self-esteem. At the end of the day, do what makes you feel good, and your self-love will follow.    

When it comes to gaining confidence, you can practice self-care, dress up, exercise, and take care of your smile. Once you set out on a journey of self-love, you will be able to gain the confidence that you’ve always wanted.

Appearance vs. Personality: Choosing The Right Dog For You

Selective breeding has long been a big part of the dog trade. There is a lot of demand for dogs with a specific appearance, which often means that dog owners will choose their animals based largely on what they look like. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the best approach to take, often leaving owners with dogs that look wonderful but lack the personality that they wanted in the first place. 

(Image Credit)

It makes a lot of sense to pick a dog based on how it will act down the line rather than the way it looks. While it would be impossible to guess exactly what a dog would be like down the line, there are a lot of different things you can look for to make sure that your new dog has the personality you want. Let’s take a look at some of these areas, giving you the chance to free yourself from the trap of vanity.

The Breed
There are many different dog breeds in the world, giving people ample options when they are choosing a dog based on the way it looks. The breed you choose can have a big impact on the temperament of your pet, though. For example, Labradors have a very good reputation for being good with children, and this is because they are naturally gentle dogs. On the other hand, other dog breeds are known for being aggressive, hard to control, and even downright naughty, though you have to be careful to ensure that this isn’t the only thing you consider.

The Background
Like humans, a dog’s personality will be partially shaped by its upbringing and background. Dogs that have received loads of love from a young age tend to be needier than others but will also be more receptive to the emotions you convey. Conversely, though, canines that have been largely neglected or even abused will be much harder to live with. Work and dedication can solve this issue, enabling you to give your pet a better life. This can make it well worth putting the work into your animal.

Your Lifestyle
It’s also essential to make sure that your pet suits your lifestyle. Dogs require a lot of time and attention. Some breeds are less demanding than others, as active working dogs need a lot of exercise, and lap dogs sometimes need more love and attention. If the dog has health problems, you must take care of it.

If you have a busy lifestyle and it’s challenging to fit a dog into your way of life, consider other options. Some people use dog-sitters and walkers to keep their dogs company throughout the day, which is an excellent option if everyone is at work or school for a long time.

Another option is to find a lower-maintenance pet. Cynthia Maro offers some suggestions to potential pet owners to help them find dogs or other kinds of pets that require less maintenance.

The Training
Whether you’re adopting a dog or buying one from a breeder, training will be crucial to their personality. Some dogs are harder to train than others, but this doesn’t mean they will be impossible to set on the right track. It makes sense to plan to train your new dog while also looking for dogs that have already been trained if you want to adopt. This doesn’t affect their appearance, but it can make a huge difference in a dog’s personality.

Spending Time With Them
It can be challenging to know how a dog will act when you bring it home. This makes it challenging for new dog owners to feel confident they’re choosing the right pet. Most adoption organizations and even breeders will let you spend time with the dog you want before committing to taking them home. This gives you a great chance to learn about their personality while also making it possible to start building a bond with them. For puppies, it can be just as valuable to meet their parents.

Getting A Beautiful Dog
While a dog’s personality is significant, many people also care deeply about their dog’s looks. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, and it can make a lot of sense to go for an animal that you like the look of, especially if you have kids. It’s always worth keeping in mind that this approach can come with some challenges, though. It could also be unfair for the dog you choose if you don’t take the right steps.

Many of the most popular dog breeds in the world are breeding practices that most people would consider unethical. This is usually because the dogs themselves will end up with health issues when bred to have a certain appearance. A blue-eyed pitbull is a beautiful dog that will be largely free from health issues, but a pug could be a very different story. It’s always worth researching the dog breeds you like to ensure that they won’t face issues down the line.

As you can see, personality is far more important than appearance when you’re choosing a dog. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pick a dog that you like, but you should definitely consider more than just the way they look.

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