This holiday season I wish you a little time.... for yourself

By now I’m hoping that the holiday gift shopping rush is over for you. I know that for most of us there are still those last minute gifts you need to pick up but maybe you feel like you’re in a more manageable place? This month is always crazed for me but this year especially so and I’m not sure why. Part of it could be as my kids get older there are just more activities. I now have school plays and concerts to attend as well as hockey and basketball games. The calendar is jam packed with appointments and activities and I am EXHAUSTED. ( I know you feel me.)

Believe it or not, it’s almost over. So now is the time to crank up the Christmas music and enjoy those holiday treats. Oh and get back to thinking about yourself for moment. Because we all know that we only get a moment for that. We’re always taking care of everyone else in our lives. This time of year especially. But if you can find a moment…take a moment for yourself.

So I have to ask… what are you wearing this Christmas? I have to admit that I’ve never been one to dress “festive”. I don’t own much red, it’s not a color I tend to gravitate towards. But if you’ve been paying attention at all this season, “festive” patterns are everywhere! And they look really nice. Only down side, which I feel the need to point out is that these items tend to be seasonal. So while you can wear them for the month of December, but January you most likely won’t feel like wearing them again. So if you are going to pick a festive piece for your wardrobe, it’s a great idea to get it on sale. And from what I have seen, sales are happening all over!

If you happen to be more interested in a dressy but less “festive” pattern, there are options for you too! Plenty of choices to be made - not just in red and green but across the color palate. What if you want to look festive but not commit to a full Christmas plaid pattern? Add red or green to your accessories for a nice touch of the holiday spirit! What about a fun pair of red pumps? Those are a little more versatile and can be work all winter long.

Whatever you choose, find something that makes you happy. You want to be present for the holidays and not annoyed by an outfit that doesn’t fit right. Whether it’s an old faithful from your closet or something shiny and new, it should make you feel like the wonderful confident person you are. For inspiration, take a look at a few of the options below from J. Crew.

Thanksgiving Dressing

It’s Thanksgiving Week! This week is always a whirlwind of food, family and holiday spirit. For those of you who have found a way to keep Christmas at bay, that will be over this week. There’s no tuning it out once we get past Thanksgiving. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

As we prepare for the week ahead, one of the last things you’re probably thinking about is what you’ll wear on Thursday. So consider this your reminder to think ahead and plan that outfit. Need a little help? That’s what I’m here for.

What you wear for the Thanksgiving holiday will completely depend on how you are planning to celebrate. You might be the chef and hosting dinner. You might be a guest in your in-laws home. You might be headed to a casual family get together. There are a variety of situations in which you might find yourself. Let’s breakdown the options.

For those who are hosting, I recommend a print blouse and jeans or a pair of dark pants (depending on whether your event is more casual or more dressy). If you’re hosting you’ll be in and out of the kitchen, finishing up cooking and serving dinner. Darker print tops are more likely to hide spills or splatters. A machine washable option will set your mind at ease should a spill take place.

For those who are attending a more formal Thanksgiving dinner as a guest, you can also go with a print top and pants or better yet, a print dress that is on trend for fall. A floral or animal print is popular this season and easy to find. There are also plenty of fall colors on display to complement your complexion. Find what suits you best.

For those who are looking for something more casual, go with a simple jeans and sweater combination. To stay on trend for fall, find a sweater in a gorgeous jewel tone that will bring life to your outfit. Dress it up or down with accessories as you feel appropriate.

Thanksgiving offers a wide variety of options for what to wear. If you need inspiration see the items I have highlighted below. You want to be comfortable and confident. Then turn your attention to your family and friends and the meal you have the pleasure of sharing together. Happy Thanksgiving!!

J. Crew Factory Long Sleeve Leopard Drapey Tie-Neck Top

Joie Maizie V-Neck Satin Top

J. Crew Tippi Sweater

Maggy London Floral A-Line Dress

Banana Republic Fit and Flare Dress

Banana Republic Print Midi Shirt Dress

No More Excuses!

When I meet potential new clients I often hear the same thing. Women are very interested in what I do and how I can help. Then they proceed to tell me how interested they are but continue with a list of excuses that most likely will not come as a total surprise.

·         …after I lose some weight. (This is the most popular excuse.)

·         …when I have some extra money to spend on clothes.

·         …when things calm down and I have some time.

Let’s quickly tackle these excuses. So many women feel uncomfortable about their weight. Many of us are constantly working towards losing weight. We put aspects of our lives on hold until we reach that elusive weight goal we made for ourselves… realistic or not. But what if we don’t wait? What if we start being more accepting of ourselves? What if start dressing the body that we have?

Our bodies change over time. We have babies, gravity takes over, things shift… we gain weight and we lose weight. We might still fit into the dress we wore 20 years ago but I guarantee it’s not likely to fit you the same way it did before. We need to adjust how we dress for our changing bodies. Find the clothes that fit the body you have now. I guarantee that once you find clothes that fit you properly and you’re able to dress the bod you have comfortably, you will feel lighter, brighter and much more confident.

But what about all that money you need to spend on new clothes? Budgets are tight, I get that. Out closet might not be the first place you want to spend your extra cash. But what if you didn’t have to spend a fortune on a new wardrobe? We’re not talking about a shopping trip to Saks. Depending on how your clothes fit, you might benefit from a simple tailoring fix. Buying new clothes doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Every retail store has sales and deep discounts especially this time of year.  You want to know how to dress your body and once you do, you can buy clothes at almost any price point that will fit you. We focus on style not price point.

I have two young boys and a husband who travels for work. I don’t expect life to calm down for many years to come. And I don’t want to put my life on hold until then. Making time is a challenge. I completely understand. But I have also found that if I make a point of planning something and prioritize its importance in my life, I can make room for the things that I thought I wouldn’t be able to address. It’s natural not to put ourselves first. But when you feel good about yourself, you’re a better mom, sister, wife, daughter, co-worker and friend.

So now that we’ve put our excuses to rest, it’s time to dress confidently and feel good about you. Walk tall and conquer your day ladies!