Well, guys, it’s officially January 2nd and time to kick off some of those “new year, new me” goals.  Sure, the new year did start yesterday, but everyone knows that January 1st is for useless hours on the couch and takeout Chinese food.  Bonus points if you actually Postmated two meals yesterday.  Not that I’d know anything about that.

But today’s a new day, and it’s time to get yourself together, girl.  I’ve made a few fitness and overall just healthy goals for the new year and for going into spring in particular.  I’m not the kind of gal who wants to give up every sweet, snack, and splurge trying to attain some unrealistic goal weight.  I didn’t even do that before my own wedding and still have no regrets about it.  I did set a few goals to look and feel my best, healthiest self, though.

Exercise – I want to make sure and get in some type of workout five days a week, whether it’s a pilates or Orangetheory class or just taking the pups (well, solo pup until Wilma has all of her shots) for a long power walk.  It really is just about getting moving, and before the holidays, I was more than on top of this.

Eating – I generally cook pretty healthy, and we’ll have dinner at home 3-4 times a week.  For the other nights, we try to grab sushi or something with actual nutritional value and save the cheat meals for the weekends.  After a November and December filled with travel, parties, and holiday treats, I’m SO ready to get back to healthy eating and plan to share more meal and recipe ideas with you guys here and through Instagram stories.

Alcohol – Eric and I are hosting one last Christmas party with friends this weekend, and after that, we’re planning to have a dry January.  We haven’t done one before, but I think it’ll be great to reset, recharge, and save all those calories!

Water – Good God I say this every single year, but perhaps 2019 is the year I finally start drinking more water?  It’s seriously something I have to push myself to do, but when I do manage to drink enough water, I notice a difference in how I feel and how my skin looks.  (One might think that would be motivation enough, right?)  Well, with my current post-holiday breakout, it’s bottoms-up on the H2O currently.

And so this morning I woke up bright and early (to the sounds of a screaming puppy ready to make a jailbreak out of her crate) and scheduled my first pilates class of the new year.  I threw on my new workout gear (No better motivation really.  The husband got me these capris for Christmas and I’m OBSESSED.) and soon realized that my car battery was dead.  Sweet.

So I Ubered to my first workout of the year, popped into a nearby grocery store for a few vegetables for the fridge, and Ubered my butt home to these wild-ass pups.  No complaints over here, but perhaps the universe could cooperate when a girl’s just trying to make it to the gym?  Here’s hoping everyone has a great rest of the week.

xoxo

Photos thanks to Katie Stuart

Happy half-week, friends!  Today I’m excited to share one of my favorite sales with you guys.  Shopbop, one of my favorite retailers for both (affordable) shopping and (high end) inspiration, is having one of their only sales of the year.  Pick your faves, and receive 20-25% off your entire purchase (some brands excluded, depending how much you spend) with code STOCKUP18.

Now admittedly, I took these photos thinking my beloved Spanx leggings would be included, but sadly they are not.  (Side note, whether they’re on sale or full-priced, you will never regret them.  I have a few pairs and wear them ALL the time.)

Spanx leggings aside, I’ve searched and searched a ton of my favorite brands on Shopbop, and so many are included.  The Quay sunglasses, Zac Zac Posen handbag, and Gorjana bracelets above?  All in.  This little black dress and handbag duo that’s so comfy and easy?  Included.  The sweet home and gifts category?  Go for it.  (See the rest of my favorites below.)

If you’ve had your eye on something new for fall or maybe something from the sale section, now’s the time, sister.  Personally, I grabbed this jacket for an upcoming wine-tasting trip, this sweater for those brutal Southern California winters (I kid), this tee for wearing eight days in a row with said Spanx leggings, and a few other things.  I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed that the pieces I picked are as good as I think they’ll be, but I’m not stressing.  Shopbop has free (fast) shipping and free returns, so we’re good, girls.

And whether you choose to shop the sale or not, hoping you enjoy a few photos above with my main girl, Weeze.  Great rest of the week, y’all.

xoxo

Photos thanks to Katie Stuart

It’s been about four days now, and I’m still on Cloud 9 from our trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming this past week.  It’s a place I’ve wanted to visit for so long and was a bucket list destination for a couple of our friends, too.  Eric had been a couple of times in the past, but it had been a few years and he was dying to go back.  So sometime in October, we picked out dates, booked the tickets, and made it happen.  And I have to say, Jackson Hole did not disappoint.

I’ve got a whole post coming up with where we stayed, where we ate (and ate and ate), and all that jazz, but today I’m sharing a few photos from a morning in the National Elk Refuge, just outside of town.  We didn’t see any elk because I think I was a couple of weeks too early, but this area was crazy pretty with views farther than you could ever see and each individual blade of grass covered in tiny ice crystals.  There wasn’t any snow during our trip, but believe me when I tell you – IT. WAS. COLD.

It was the kind of cold I’ve only experienced twice before during a couple of February New York Fashion Weeks, but unlike New York, this time I was prepared.  I lived in layers (and layers) and chunky scarves, and this Coalition LA jacket came in so handy.  It’s super thick and warm, and I swear when I put the hood on, my entire body was instantly warmer.  The huge pockets are also great because with so many layers, I wanted to ditch the handbag and just carry around the essentials with me.  If you’re headed someplace cold this winter (or live there), I can’t recommend this one enough because, bonus – it’s under $100.

Hope everyone is having a great week, and stay tuned for more posts from Jackson Hole.

xoxo

Photos thanks to Erin Wheat Photography

While scrolling through Instagram over the last couple of days, I’ve noticed that we tend to chat a lot about the hectic pace of the holidays, how busy we are, so much shopping to do, parties to attend, meals to prepare, blah, blah, blah.  Maybe sometimes we forget – it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.  It’s the season I look forward to all year long.  So this year, I’m not letting that holiday to-do list get me flustered.  I’ll be taking it all in stride with a coffee in hand, Christmas tunes in my head (and in my car), and comfy kicks on my feet.

I’m excited to team up with Famous Footwear to share a little inspiration to “do it all in style” this holiday season.  And my holiday footwear of choice?  Well you can find me in sneakers, girl.  And specifically, THESE new sneaks from Famous Footwear.  They’re seriously so comfortable, and the grey and rose gold color combo?  Get outta town.

They’re actually running shoes, so they come in REALLY handy when a certain puppy grabs an ornament and runs with it.  I’m not naming names.  But for running errands around town, I love these comfy kicks paired with faux leather leggings, sweatshirt dresses, and distressed denim.  I’ve now had these on my feet for four days in a row, and the compliments just keep on coming.  How’s that for fueling some holiday happiness?

Hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season so far!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Samantha Klose

Brought to you by Famous Footwear, all opinions are my own.

Oh, ho, ho, the holidays, y’all, and I am ready.  We’re kicking things off with our annual Friendsgiving festivities tonight and hopping on a plane to Louisiana tomorrow morning to spend Thanksgiving week with my family.  It’s my hands-down favorite time of year, but it can also be a stressful time if you let it.  Travel, work responsibilities, and party after party can really take a toll on a gal’s health, ya know?  And there’s no better way to ruin my favorite season than by getting all sick and exhausted and pooped out.  So today I’m sharing a few ways that I’m focusing on my health this holiday season.  (And don’t get it twisted, I still fully intend to live my best life in the weeks ahead – bring on ALLLL the food!)  But here goes anyway…

Drink Your Juice (and Eat a Veggie or Two) – And the candied yam variety probably doesn’t count.  We all know that the holidays can get a little out of hand with the meals, the treats, the cocktails, you name it, but it’s important for me to remember that holidays or not, my body needs a little actual nourishment regularly.  And you can call me crazy, but I’m totally one of those juice enthusiast people.  When I start to feel sick, I usually book it to Juice Served Here for their Hot Shot and Turmeric shots and the Pipe Cleaner juice.  Last I checked, loading up on ginger never hurt anybody.  (And bonus, this week all of their juices are just $5.)  My mom has this theory that whatever you believe in will work, and I gotta say, she’s probably right.  If you build it, they will come, y’all.

All About the Essential Oils – Call me crazy twice, but I’m also a huge believer in essential oils, and doTERRA is my oil drug of choice.  My friend Corrine introduced me a year or so ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since.  Lemon, lavender, Breathe (amazing for snoring husbands), and Peppermint are in constant rotation around here, but my favorite by far is On Guard.  It smells amazing (especially around this time of year) and is my go-to when I’m feeling a bit under the weather.  I’m constantly grabbing the oil and also love the softgels.

Get Some Exercise – Well, this one is groundbreaking.  I know, it’s not rocket science, but sometimes when I’m being pulled in 100 different directions the last thing on my mind is fitting in a workout.  But 10 times out of 10, when I make the time and get a workout in, I’m 100% happy that I did.  I work out at Core Reform Pilates a few times a week (and have since wayyy back here) and normally take my wild ass puppy on long walks everyday.  We’ll be traveling a couple of times over the holidays, so I’m making it a goal for myself to get in so much walking.

And Some SLEEP – I’m pretty much always guilty of not getting enough sleep.  I’m a natural night owl, and let’s just say that mornings generally aren’t my jam.  (I get these genes from my dad.)  But sometimes in the real world, a girl’s gotta wake up early, so I’m making it a priority these days to get a bit more shuteye.  For a little nighttime help, I occasionally rely on Olly Restful Sleep Supplements or Dream Water – both work like a charm to relax and turn off my overactive mind.

Take a Little “Me” Time – As a blogger, the holidays can be an especially busy time for me.  End of year projects kick into high gear, the event invites are more frequent than any other time of year, and there are personal obligations on top of that.  But over the past couple of years, I’ve found that it’s so important to learn to say “no”.  I can run around from event to event, trying to please this company and that one, but in the end, no one wins because I’m burnt out and giving everything only half of my attention.  These days, I pick and choose my obligations and make sure to take a little “me”time.  My ultimate “me” time?  A good old fashioned bath, y’all.

And a Little More “Us” Time – What are the holidays if you’re not spending them with people you love?  I love the holidays – love, love them – and there’s nothing better than creating new holiday memories with family and friends.  I made a priority list for myself a while back, and it goes like this: my husband and my marriage, my family and friends (and pup), and then my blog and career and anything else.  It’s admittedly over-simplified here, but when I remember what’s important in life, I think it can do wonders for my mental health and overall happiness.  And don’t we all just want to be happy this holiday season?

xoxo

Photos thanks to Samantha Klose

Greetings, gals!  Remember these Spanx faux leather leggings that I wore on serious repeat last year and raved about more than once or twice?  They are seriously the best faux leather leggings that I’ve found.  They’re soft and comfy, have an actual “high-enough” high rise, and suck you in like nobody’s business.

This year they’re fully restocked in the original black color, a couple of other great colors for fall like wine and navy, and a brand new moto-embellished style.  And in case you’re wondering, I’m already obsessed.  They’re the best with a tunic-length sweater (like the beyond soft version in today’s post – also comes in black) and booties.

It’s my go-to fall look just in time for a full week of fall weather around here.  I mean, the weather this week?  It’s chilly and overcast, and we may even get a couple of days with rain.  So, so dreamy, am I right?  Today’s 65-degree day totally made up for last week’s 105-degree nightmare.  And now I’m off to throw some ingredients into a pot – it’s the first chili of the season, and I’m seriously excited.

Happy leggings season, y’all!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Samantha Klose

In case you missed the, like, 475 photos and videos that I shared on my Instastory and Instagram, a couple of weeks ago I got to attend my second #cabiScoop, and it was just as bananas (in the best way possible) as my first.  I’m telling you, with each new model that walks out in something new for spring, the crowd of enthusiastic cabi gals seriously goes WILD.  It is such a fun event to be a part of, and I hope they keep inviting me back for the next 100 years.

This year’s Scoop may have even been a smidge more fun than last time because I got to catch up with one of my first blogger friends from years ago, Jen.  She and I got to check out the shopping event during Scoop (that I missed last year due to traffic) where they sell past seasons’ collections at super steals.  With my current legging uniform (all day, everyday), I couldn’t resist this oversized tee and cozy cardigan combo.  I’m sure it’s a little blast from the past for the cabi gals out there because I don’t even know how far back these pieces are from, but they’re new to me and oh-so-comfy.

Obviously during this particular cabi Scoop, Spring is the thing, and I’m so excited about the new collection.  It’s REALLY hard for me to even pick favorites, but I’d probably have to go with this killer blazer, the shirtdress I’ll wear a thousand times, or this long cardigan that’s probably way more versatile than you’d think.  You guys know I love a good stripe, so I may have to throw this tee into the mix as well.  Love.  OH!  And one last favorite – did I mention that this season they’ve come out with their first-ever shoes?  It’s true.  Two different styles, and I can’t decide which I love more.  If you missed out on the fun, check out the fun recap video below and then head over to cabi to start planning that Spring wishlist.

xoxo

Photos thanks to Gabi Wells

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by cabi, but all opinions are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that make My Style Diaries possible.

You guys, I’m here today with some great news for the girl team.  These Spanx leggings that I’ve worn 999 times this fall slash winter (slash who even knows what season we’re in here) are finally back in stock in all sizes (here and here), and I’m telling you, they’re the BEST.  I was so excited to find them that I scooped up a second pair, a move that may seem aggressive to some, but if you’ve tried these then you know.  Also it’s totally acceptable considering these have become a sort of uniform for me lately.  True story, I pretty much only packed these leggings plus a few pairs of workout leggings (these are my favorites) for the initial move into the rental house during our home remodel.  After a couple of weeks, I discovered that I’ve pretty much been accidentally waist-training.  Sooo, it turns out, that whole trend at least partially works.

And onto other, equally exciting news.  Southern California is on the verge of, wait for it, five whole days in a row of rain starting tomorrow.  What?!  Bananas, y’all.  And while I’m usually the ultimate rain-lover of SoCal (it’s not an official title or anything…yet), the rain tends to put a little cramp in that whole remodeling schedule.  Mother Nature takes no prisoners, y’all.  But hey, the rain is coming, and this rain-lover is gonna enjoy it regardless.

And in one more smidgelet of news, it’s that time again.  Time for what, you ask?  Time to hit up The Stylist LA for their annual sample sale.  Sweet Emily will be selling off her gently used sample dresses, and I’ll be selling off pieces from my own closet along with a couple of favorite blogger gals.  And since I went through my closet while packing up to move everything into storage, I’m getting rid of a TON.  (Me and Mother Nature, both getting serious this week.)  I’ve got clothing, shoes, and so many handbags headed to The Stylist LA tomorrow, so don’t miss out!  Details on the sale below – hope to see y’all there!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Vincent Elejorde

And so ends a week of pack, pack, packing, y’all, and not a moment too soon.  (More on what I’m doing over here.)  Yesterday I realized that the first weekend of the new year is upon us, and I was like, YASSS.  And then I remembered that I’ll be spending it moving some of our stuff into our temporary rental home and lots more of it into a storage pod, and I was like, NOOO.  All good in the hood, though.  I’ll find some downtime in there somehow, and I plan to do absolutely nothing with it.  Anyone else looking for a couple of lazy days ahead?  Well if you are, then I’ve got your weekend uniform.

I scooped up this adorable little ruffle-sleeved sweater tee this week because, how cute?  So cute, and under $40.  And if anyone else is still feeling all that holiday overindulgence (raises hand slowly), then it’s time to get yourself a pair of these Spanx denim leggings because I’m telling you, they forgive all.  Annnnd while you’re at it, you might as well treat yo’self to the world’s most comfortable kicks.  Downright cushy, y’all.  I love these so much that I own them in two colors (because my mother-in-law rocks and bought me a second pair for Christmas), and if color options are your jam, well these come in over 20.  The taupe and the grey are my personal faves, and I have to say, they were just made for casual Fridays.

So for now I’m off to wrap up this kitchen packing struggle (for now) and treat myself to lunch.  Every worker bee needs a break sometime, right?  Oh, and if you aren’t already, I hope you’ll follow me over on Instagram (and Instagram stories!) for peeks into the happenings around here.  Hope everyone has a great weekend ahead!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Taylor Cole