Get your "Happy Clothes" On

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Well, it's here. May has arrived.  Which means we have about a month and a half until it's officially Summer.  But if you live in Southern California, or other regions of the western US, you've already started dressing for those summer days. Because it was 90 degrees in Los Angeles yesterday!

Swimsuit weather is around the corner!

And warm weather means swimsuits.  And swimsuits mean wishing you'd kept with that New Year's resolution to work out more or eat healthier.  Well, its not too late! It's never too late to start a good thing.

To stay motivate to take care of yourself, wear "happy clothes."

To get yourself motivated, here's a place to start right now that can have an immediate effect: Dressing thinner.  Wear "happy clothes."  What? I know. Let me explain.  Motivation to make fitness or health changes comes from within.  Friends and family can yammer on, but not until we can feel motivated from ourselves will we take action.  Clothing can be a motivator: when you put on something that makes you feel good, feel confident, you are more likely to take care of yourself.  So "happy clothes" are personal to you, and are whatever makes you feel good about yourself: bright colors, a certain pair of jeans,  etc.

But stay away from leggings!! (as everyday wear. Gym wear is acceptable.)  I know, they are so comfortable and easy.  But think about it: comfortable and easy does not a swimsuit body make.  And they're doing you a disservice.  The stretch in leggings makes it easy for you to not notice creeping weight gain.

The first step to taking better care of yourself is WANTING to take better care of yourself.  And its not too late to make improvements before swimsuit weather officially sets in.

Ok. I'm off to do some lunges.....


 

Wrap Me Up Pretty

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Ok, so here's the reality: while I would love to look crisply attired and professionally styled at all times, that just ain't happening when trying to chase a toddler around.  What I need is simple outfits that I can put on quickly, but that still have some character and style to them. I need to look like I tried without having to actually try that hard.

That's what's so wonderful about scarves.  They are simple pieces that come in a vast variety of colors and patterns, and can instantly take the simplest outfit and add that element of style that pulls it all together.  Jeans and a T: comfy, practical, but boring.  Add a brightly colored scarf and you have instant detail and interest with no fuss.  And they're not just for cold weather anymore.  They come in a variety of light, airy fabrics that feel just as spring and summery as tanks and sundresses (both of which you can add a scarf to.)

Additionally, they're  a functional accessory, particularly good for air travel, when you encounter a variety of temperatures and can be hot one minute and cold another.  Light scarves can provide just the right extra layer to adjust to temperature changes.

And there are so many ways you can style them, its like 20 pieces in one.  And you can easily find so many styles at very affordable prices. So its a win all around.  And who doesn't like winning? :)
 

Click this image for instructions on these looks and to visit a website dedicated to how to tie scarves 

Click this image for instructions on these looks and to visit a website dedicated to how to tie scarves
 

Friday Favorites - Check these out

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Another TGIF has arrived.  For everyone headed to Coachella this weekend, have fun and be safe and stay hydrated (supposed to be in the 90s).  For the rest of us, have fun and be safe as well doing whatever fun your weekend holds.  And if you have a few minutes to browse the web, may I introduce you to a few blogs that I enjoy on a regular basis (I check them out pretty much every day as part of my Bloglovin' feed.)

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  • Lace and Locks - by Kim Le.  This is a fun one for me to follow and share because Kim Le is a girl I know from high school.  She is now a super talented  wedding/engagement/boudoir photographer and an entrepreneur, with her own online boutique and this style blog for petite women.  I'm about a foot taller than her, so we're dressing for different body types, but I totally appreciate her sense of style and she has great taste.
  • J's Everyday Fashion - by "J".  This style blog is for most of us. Most of us have budgets, very practical, less than even 3-digit budgets.  Even with 20% off sales, most of us can't afford a $500 dress.  J takes high fashion/deisnger looks and styles her own version with affordable pieces, and she shows how she keeps to her budget and invests in versatile pieces.
  • Style by Emily Henderson - by Emily Henderson.  If you ever watch HGTV then you might recognize the adorable Emily Henderson.  She has a great home makeover show that I loved.  She has a fun personality and it comes through in her design.  Her blog is fun and inspires my home décor ideas.

And to wrap up the week, a flashback Friday image to make you smile from exactly one year ago: silly faces with mom and a bald Little Dude.