Swimming at the Lake
Been spending ample time getting as close to Mother Nature as possible lately. Yesterday I took advantage of the beautiful sunshine after almost a week of cloudy skies and rain by stepping out on the lake for a swim! My daughter and I packed up a picnic and walked from our cabin down to the lake to get much needed swim time!
I’ve been really into wearing a more modest swimsuit this past summer despite the fact that I’ve worked on toning more than ever in my thirties. I think as we get older it’s perfectly okay to wear a flattering sexy swimsuit but I also think it’s just as impactful to be a little more covered. When I’m out playing with the kiddo I’m not trying to constantly adjust every few minutes to ensure I am not showing something I shouldn’t be. No, I’d rather be able to swim comfortably and play!
As the summer winds down don’t be afraid to buy half a swimsuit if you find one in your size! Although my top and bottoms are part of two swimsuits I own I mixed and matched to create today’s retro inspired look! Instead of buying a matching set you can look for things on clearance in the same colors!
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I shared a little last week in this post about my trip to South Padre Island. This is the perfect Spring Break location if you are looking for a tropical paradise in Texas. The water is incredible, the beaches are soft with rolling sand dunes and the island is filled with turtles, birds, dolphins, and other wildlife. It’s a welcomed oasis in South Texas. While I was on the island I drove over the bridge to Port Isabel where one of the most beautiful lighthouses on the gulf coast resides. The lighthouse sits in the middle of Port Isabel’s town square with a multitude of shops and restaurants. The lighthouse is open to tour so make sure you check their website for hours and cost for admission. Since I knew I’d be walking a lot that day I pulled out my favorite pair of flats!
I’m going to be sharing more content around how to start a blog! A few weeks ago, I created the first post in this series and share five ways to make money blogging. Today’s topic is going to build on the next step in creating your blog. You’ll need to do some basics like choosing a platform, registering a domain name, and setting up social accounts. Don’t worry, all bloggers got started doing the same thing you are doing right now. Use this blog post as a checklist and schedule time in your calendar to complete each task. Before you know it, you’ll be posting in no time!
The past 6 months I have traveled every few weeks somewhere for the weekend. Work, events, and campaigns have taken me all over the place. When you are in a constant travel mode you get accustomed to having some sort of system to pack or you won’t know your right from your left hand. I’ve curated a list of must-haves for most of my trips regardless of the climate. I recommend always bringing something for warm weather (places heat up) and something for cold weather (cold fronts happen). I’ve written a bunch of posts over the years on packing here but today I’m going to focus on classic items you can bring for your next weekend getaway.
Mental health. I’m so glad this topic has been on the rise especially since the pandemic hit. Now more than ever more and more people need resources. My anxiety journey began about 10 years ago. Through a series of trials, errors, and lots of therapy I am now able to manage panic attacks and anxiety without medication. This post is in no way meant to replace medical advice. If you are struggling I absolutely recommend seeking professional help. Today I’d like to share a resource I use in my own mental health toolkit called a “Coping Checklist.” I’m going to share with you guys a few benefits of having one and the science behind it, how to create one, and when to use it. The biggest key in your coping checklist is to use it as soon as you feel anxiety come on. The more you go through the sequence the easier the panic becomes to manage.
I love drawing inspiration from nature, and this includes the shades of snow that fall this time of year. Although Texas only gets snow on occasion, I still find myself drawn to the beautiful shades of cream and winter white. It’s been on rotation in the closet these past few weeks. For this look, I paired a cream-colored cardigan (that has the sweetest collar) and a fluffy white jacket (similar one here) to create a neutral but not boring look. I paired it with my favorite pair of jeans (that I have in multiple washes) and knee-high tan boots that are under $50!! You could top this look with a camel-colored coat and scarf if you live in a colder environment! I rounded up a ton of my favorite winter white options below!
It’s no secret that I love Amazon. From their incredibly streamlined delivery and return policy to the quality of the Amazon the Drop collections that highlight influencers, time and time again I am impressed by what they have created in the retail space. To think that they single-handedly changed the book and printing industry! I’m overjoyed day after day with my Audible subscription, endless tv options on Amazon Prime, and getting packages regularly that have that little smile icon on them. With all of the amazing sales and deals happening I had to share my favorite Amazon finds. I’m dating things back over the past year with each item being something I’ve either used, purchased for someone else, or currently have on my own wish list.
The island stretches a full 60 miles until you reach the Mansfield Channel that separates South Padre Island from North Padre Island. It’s absolutely beautiful and I look forward to getting the opportunity to come back and camp for a few days. I highly recommend bringing hiking boots so you can explore the beautiful sand dunes and grasslands. You’ll need to watch out for rattlesnakes, but other than that it’s a pretty mild hiking environment. You can watch the sunset over the Madre Lagoon which is one of seven estuaries in the world. I also recommend bringing a cooler with extra food and snacks in the event you were stuck. There’s not a lot of people as you get further down the coast (sometimes miles in between campsites) so keeping enough food and water on hand is essential.
Over the past week, I took myself on a little journey across the South. I decided to start in Mississippi and travel down to the Florida coast and then back through New Orleans making a loop home. When I arrived at the coast I immediately encountered a series of thunderstorms. It definitely was a challenge for me to photograph and spend time at the beach due to intermittent raining and required an immense amount of flexibility in my day. I am a planner but you can’t always plan everything. Life is dynamic. In fact, some would say that life is constantly changing and nothing remains the same. I’ve found the thunderstorms bring the prettiest sunsets and rainbows. I think that’s true for life, too. There’s no such thing as only experiencing “good.” You have to have the lows for growth and to appreciate the highs. Without rain there is no rainbow.
Here is the new “Keep Going” tank top. It comes in white, vintage blue, and vintage shocking pink (shown here)). It’s the perfect layering piece to wear under a sweater or sweatshirt or over a swimsuit as we head into the warmer months.