Lifestyle · Style

The Joy of Dressing Well (A Spring Edit)

Natasha ReneLeave a comment

The Most Inspiring Fashion Quotes of All TimeOver the past couple of seasons, I’ve curated a Fall/Winter wardrobe that I love and enjoy wearing.  This Spring I plan to elevate my Spring/Summer wardrobe.  While I have several Spring/Summer pieces that I love (and intend to keep), most of them are too casual for the business casual look I’m trying to cultivate for the office.  I’d also like to add a few special items for warm weather vacation destinations.  I don’t plan to shop trends; I’m looking to purchase select items that will meet my long term style goals.  I plan to stick to a mostly neutral palette of white, camel, taupe, and blue; and then maybe add in a few pops of color (not sure which ones yet).  Here’s what I’m looking to add:

  • A Tan/Camel Blouse
  • Another White Skirt (A-line)
  • White Sweater (Summer-Weight)
  • Straw Bag (Medium)
  • White Dress (A Lighter Cotton Option)
  • Blue Button-Up Shirt
  • Statement Necklace
  • A Brightly Patterned Skirt
  • Black Pants

I think these pieces will mix and match well with what I already own. Here are some of the planned looks (courtesy of Pinterest) I’m inspired to try,

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle · Self-Care · Travel

The Healing Power of Travel

Natasha ReneLeave a comment
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In 2015, one of my resolutions was to relax and spend some time and money traveling.  Since then, I’ve been to Palm Springs, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, St. Thomas, London, Paris, Venice, and New Orleans, and I’m already planning trips to St. Martin, Washington D.C. and Greece.  Looking back, investing in rest and travel was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  Join me on my journey.

Lifestyle

A New Season . . . Realignment

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This season in my life, I’m committed to living more mindfully.  It’s important to me to spend my time and energy doing things I love rather than waste it on insignificant things that others deem worthy but do not bring me joy.  My approach is simple (or not so simple).  I don’t plan to quite my job and travel the world or hire a housekeeper.  I plan to stop agreeing to things for fear of missing out (concerts, dinners, trips).  While I generally enjoy them, they divert energy (and finances) from things I enjoy more: self-care and pampering, reading, yoga, personal finance and investing, taking care of my home, and building my blog.  This doesn’t mean I plan to stop going to concerts, traveling, or going out to dinner, it means I’m going to be more selective so I have the capacity to attend the concerts, plays, and performances I really want to see; travel to dream locations; and, enjoy eating out without overindulging and gaining weight.

Another new focus is on accomplishing big goals:

  1. Losing 20 lbs | Run 5K
  2. Advancing In My Career
  3. Build out my lifestyle blog so can create community and make some extra money (to invest)
  4. Build out my real estate portfolio (Goal: 1 primary home & 2 self-sustaining properties)

These goals have been on my list for awhile but instead of facing them head on, I’ve been nibbling at the edges.  I’ve made progress but there has also been a detrimental amount of backsliding.  My first step will be creating micro goals for the month, and then the week, to help be stay focused and invest my time wisely.

Lifestyle · Self-Care

My Capsule Wardrobe

Natasha ReneLeave a comment
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A few years I was struck by a health crisis that left me feeling stressed and hollowed out.  After I recovered physically, it was a shock to realize that I still had a tremendous amount of emotional work to do before I could fully recover.

My self-care journey has lead to many life-changing  discoveries, including minimalism.  Minimalism helped me prioritize the most important parts of my life, and curate tools to focus my time and energy around them.  One of these tools is a capsule wardrobe.

MY APPROACH

There are many different approaches to creating a capsule wardrobe, including Project 333, Project 30 x 30, and the 5 Piece French Wardrobe.  After doing some research (and watching a ton of YouTube videos), I developed a bespoke approach that worked for me.

  1. First, I donated all the items in my wardrobe that didn’t fit well, I didn’t enjoy wearing, or didn’t coordinate with at least three other pieces in my closet. (After putting away my seasonal items, I was left with a manageable number of items.)
  2. Second, I stocked up on basics. In my case, white t-shirts, a black and white striped Briton t-shirt, a black and white striped Briton long-sleeved top, a pair of black skinny jeans, and a pair of neutral sandals.
  3. Third, I starting making lists of items that I wanted to add to or replace in my wardrobe.  I limited the number of new additions to 5 pieces per season (Spring/Summer & Fall/Winter) to keep me honest, mindful, and within a reasonable budget.

WHY I LOVE IT

  1. Getting dressed takes less time and is less stressful since everything coordinates.
  2. I now have an edited closet full of good quality clothing that I feel good in and love wearing.
  3. I’m saving money because, outside of replacing basics, I only purchase a few new pieces each season.
  4. It’s helped me define my personal style.
  5. It’s helped me be more mindful about how I manage my time and money.

Transitioning to a capsule wardrobe has simplified my life and created space for me to focus on other, more important, areas of my life.  I highly recommend that you give it try.

Recipes & Food

Eggnog Chia Seed Pudding | Prep time: 5 minutes

Natasha ReneLeave a comment

Eggnog-Chia-Pudding-1

Looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to use up the last of that holiday eggnog? Try my eggnog chia seed pudding.  Not only is it quick and easy to make, it’s healthy(ish)!  Great for breakfast, a post-holiday brunch, or a snack on the go.

Ingredients (serves 2):

  • 1 cup eggnog
  • 4 tablespoons chia seeds
  • ½  teaspoon cinnamon
  • nutmeg to taste

Directions: Pour ingredients into a covered jar and shake. Place in refrigerator for an hour or until the mixture is pudding consistency. Enjoy!

Health Check: In addition to being an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds are rich in antioxidants and loaded with protein, magnesium, and fiber.

Positivity & Motivation · Self-Care

The Importance of Taking Care of Yourself

Natasha ReneLeave a comment
medimagesMaking time for myself has become a huge priority for me since I started suffering from anxiety and depression. Figuring out the best ways to self-sooth and self-motive, and prioritizing my health has been a challenge. It’s really scary to think about how much I devalue myself on a daily basis through self-doubt, poor choices (when I know better), procrastination, and denying my body the basic things it needs to be well, like nourishing food, water, and sleep.  Thankfully, I’ve healed a lot and I’m much better at catching myself when I start going down the rabbit hole of negative thoughts and poor lifestyle choices. Here are some of the things I do to get back on track.
To sooth
1. I light candles and try to keep my house and as calming (read: clean and organized) as possible.
2. I meditate
3. I play in my Erin Condren Life Planner and/or write in one of my journals
To motivate
1. I read and reflect on positive biblical quotes and try to focus on my blessings.  I know the devil is messing with me and I try my damnedest to keep my thought positive (even if they are a little scattered).
2. I try to do something positive for myself or for someone else. Examples include, donating my time or money to a worthy cause, treating myself to a relaxing at-home spa treatment, buying myself something nice, spending time with family or friends, etc.
To heal
1. I drink more water. I’m almost always dehydrated and drinking water helps my body feel better (calmer, less jittery) almost immediately.
2. I try to get more sleep.  Usually, by this time my sleep cycle is out of sync and my body is accustomed to doing with less.  I start by trying to get 6 hours of sleep for three consecutive nights and then work my way up to eight or nine hours a night.
3. Whether I eat out or stay in, I try to eat more nutrient dense foods.
Self-Care

Learning to Embrace Change: 2016 Fall Favorites

Natasha ReneLeave a comment

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While I enjoy the change of seasons, fall can be a bit of a challenge for me.  I enjoy the golden copper russet of fall leaves and pumpkin spiced lattes as much as the next person, but work gets really busy around this time and my body doesn’t always respond well to the drop in temperature.  To combat my late September, early October blues, I generally treat myself to a few fall favorites.  These are items and simple indulgences that cheer me up, make me feel good, and help me enjoy the fall season.  Bonus: They’re inexpensive so they don’t sabotage my Christmas shopping budget.  Without further ado, here are my fall favorites.

1. The aforementioned pumpkin spice latte (or white chocolate mocha if I’m feeling a little rebellious)
2. A cozy new scarf
3. Fall candles (Bath & Body Work’s Mahogany Teakwood is a perennial favorite.)
4. Eggnog coffee creamer
5. A new fall lipstick or eye shadow pallet
6. Hydrating face masks
7. Bubble baths
8. Seasonal stickers, washi tape, and accessories for my EC Life Planner
9. A fall tea
How do you embrace the change of seasons?  What are some of your fall favorites?
Positivity & Motivation

Letting the light in . . .

Natasha ReneLeave a comment

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“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are”   E. E. Cummings

The last few years of my life have been good, but not fantastic.  I don’t feel like I’ve lived up to my full potential.  I’ve allowed fear of failure and an abhorrence of change to keep me in the same place to long.  I’m stagnant and unfulfilled.

This night, in this moment in space and time, I’m making a promise to myself to live more, feel more, and love more.  I’m going to travel more and stress less, love more fully, and embrace both who I am and who I’m destined to become.  I will fill the next three years of my life with God, love, appreciation, gratitude, excitement, new experiences, family, and progress.  I will work hard, demand what I deserve, spend time doing the things that I enjoy, and learn to have more faith in myself.