The Classy Woman ®

Black Friday 2021 Sales Guide

2021-11-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Black Friday Ladies!! Today is officially the biggest shopping day of the year, and if you're anything like me, I avoid the lines and circling parking lots plus being surrounded by crowds as I shop in my PJ's cozied up by the fire.

Below I've rounded up the very best deals of the day ranging from fashion and beauty to items for the home for yourself and to cross those items for loved ones off your holiday list!

FASHION

ALO YOGA // Up to 70% off sale + 20% off new arrivals

AMAZON // Hundreds of Black Friday deals in each department!

ANTHROPOLOGIE // 30% off everything

ATHLETA // 20% off your entire purchase!

BANANA REPUBLIC // 40% off all items

BAUBLEBAR // 30% off everything w/ code: BB30

BLOOMINGDALES // Take 25% off items listed aski2 “Take 25% Off”

EXPRESS // 40-50% off everything + free shipping on any order

GAP // 40% off everything, no code needed

J.CREW // 40% off everything + 60% off sale w/ code: BESTFRIDAY

KATE SPADE // Up to 50% off your purchase w/code: BLACKFRIYAY

KENDRA SCOTT // 40% off sitewide

KORAL // 45% off all workout leggings!

LULULEMON // Black Friday Sales up to 40% off

MACY’S // Up to 60% off, sales in all departments

NORDSTROM // Cyber deals up to 50% off

OLD NAVY // 50% off your entire purchase

REVOLVE // Up to 65% off!

SHOPBOP // Get 15-30% off sitewide w/ code: HOLIDAY

TARGET // Get 30% off apparel and accessories + 40% off bedding on 11/28-11/29

TORY BURCH // 30% off full-priced items & up to 50% off sale styles

BEAUTY & SKINCARE

BIOSSANCE // 30% off sitewide + free 11-pc gift with purchase

SEPHORA // Up to 50% off their bestsellers, 25% off Kiehl's + free shipping

T3 MICRO // 25% off everything!

ULTA // Black Friday beauty items up to 50% off

FOR THE HOME

THE CONTAINER STORE // 20-25% off select items

HOME DEPOT // Up to 40% off tools and more

HORCHOW // Up to 40% off site wide w/ code: HOLIDAY

ONE KINGS LANE // 25% off sitewide + extra 10% off when you spend $600 w/ code: SAVE10

LULU AND GEORGIA // 25% off everything w/ code: THANKFUL

PIER 1 // Up to 90% off select items + save an additional 30% off w/ code: JH98Y6T

POTTERY BARN // Up to 70% off thousands of items + free shipping on bedding, pillows, throws & more

WAYFAIR // Black Friday Blowout up to 80% off

WEST ELM // Up to 70% off in-stock favorites

WILLIAMS SONOMA // Black Friday deals up to 50% off

My favorite deals for myself so far were: 1. Jumbo size Biossance Omega Repair cream (a limited edition size) which has been amazing with the dry, cold Denver weather and comes with an 11-piece free beauty gift. 2. These black Koral lustrous high rise leggings that I will dress up from the gym to a night on the town (I own this matching mesh top already), and 3. I ordered 2 large size jars of Kiehl's avocado eye cream because

it's the only eye cream that truly hydrates and smooths.

I'd love to hear what you're all buying today! Stay tuned as I add specific items in my instagram stories for you throughout the day (which will also remain in the BF/CM highlight in case you miss it before it disappears).

Happy Shopping!

The 7 Foods I Eat for Glowing Skin

2021-02-08T12:02:00.002-08:00

My skincare goals have always been simple: focus more on caring for my skin than covering it up with makeup. In order to radiate clear, hydrated and glowing skin on the outside, it begins with what we put into our body on the inside. I've never been the girl who knows the latest and greatest concealer or brow pencils, but I can tell you how to make the tastiest healthy smoothies and snacks so that going au naturel and leaving the house without makeup is something you will feel confident doing.

A classy woman takes care of her body and makes nutrition and skincare a priority, along with exercise which brings oxygen and blood flow to the skin giving you that rosy glow long after the workout is done. I've been getting a lot of message recently about what I eat in a day and how I get such clear skin, so I want to share with you the 7 foods that I always eat to keep my skin youthful and glowing. Before I get into the foods though, I can't stress enough the importance of drinking adequate amounts of water daily for hydration. So, if you're eating nourishing foods, but cannot flush toxins out of you body, you won't be getting the maximum benefit. That said, ensure you're drinking 8 cups of water per day (2 liters), and a little extra on days you workout. This will also keep your skin soft, clear and hydrated to prevent wrinkles.

1. BERRIES-You ladies know I love my berries. Raspberries are the gold standard in our home, I eat a cup of them every morning first thing on an empty stomach. They are packed antioxidants, loaded with nutrients, protect against cancer, fight inflammation and improve your blood sugar and insulin response along with creating more glowing skin. They have high fiber content all while being low calorie and low sugar making them the perfect choice no matter what diet you subscribe to! Blueberries, strawberries, black berries and also acai berries are all high in vitamin C and antioxidants.

2. AVOCADOS- I don't know anyone that doesn't like guacamole, and there's a reason why avocado toast is so popular! Not only does it taste great, but avocado is one of the healthiest fruits we can consume. Their fat content actually helps us absorb nutrients from plant foods which is why adding them to a mixed green salad or your morning green smoothie is a win-win. The essential fatty acids keep our skin smooth and supple while consuming them, but they can also be applied to the face topically for a fantastic face mask sure to hydrated the driest of faces.

3. ORANGE VEGETABLES- I couldn't just list one here, I love all orange veggies for radiant, clear skin. If ever my skin experiences a break out, the very first thing I do is reach for fresh carrots to juice (although the bottled version will do the trick), and I whip up a pan of roasted or baked sweet potatoes or pop some canned pumpkin into my morning smoothie. The high beta-carotene content (Vitamin A) which creates the orange hue is what's responsible for clearing up your skin. It's okay to take a multi-vitamin, but if your skin could use a little help, be sure to supplement with Vitamin A and/or incorporate both of these wonderful orange veggies into your life.

4. COLORFUL BELL PEPPERS- Colored ripe bell peppers (red, orange, and yellow) are packed with Vitamin C, which is needed to heal skin and assist with collagen production. Not all peppers are created equal though. Green peppers are actually considered to be 'unripe' and don't have the exact same benefits as their colorful hued counterparts. In fact, the red, orange and yellow bell peppers have 11x the amount of beta-carotene and 1.5x more vitamin C also! Beta Carotene and Vitamin A are responsible for supporting skin cells and healing blemishes just like other orange veggies mentioned above such as carrots and sweet potatoes.

5. FATTY FISH- While certain fish has high levels of essential fat called omega-3 fatty acids (which are bodies do not create on their own), not all fish are created equal. Steer clear of the larger variety such as swordfish, shark and tilefish which are all very high in toxic heavy metals such as mercury. Instead, opt for salmon (preferably wild-caught vs. farm-raised and do eat the skin-hint: that's where most of the omega-3 oils are found, tuna (canned is great vs. albacore, when verified that it has low levels of mercury present), along with trout, mackerel, and they tiny but nutritionally-potent sardines! These fatty fish lower your inflammation levels so they keep your skin glowing and acne-free, hydrated and are essential for your hair, nails and brain also, which slows the aging process throughout your body.

6. MATCHA / GREEN TEA- As I'm writing this post I'm actually sipping on a mug of hot matcha latte. I drink it daily for the huge boost of anti-oxidants for my skin, but love the side benefit of helping to burn fat, especially if you're drinking higher grade ceremonial matcha which is pulverized made from the entire leaf and dried in the shade. It contains catechins (a type of polyphenol) that trap and inactivate free-radicals that would otherwise contribute to the aging process. The concentration in loose green tea or the tea bags is not nearly as high, so if you're going to drink green tea, make it matcha.

7. WALNUTS-These brain-shaped nuts are not only a powerhouse for your brain to prevent depression, improve motor function and your memory but also boost your skin's Vitamin B levels, and have a high concentration of Vitamin E levels which are responsible for combating wrinkles and fine lines. Eating walnuts daily (roughly 8 is the perfect amount), will help improve your hair, skin and nails. If you're going to reach for a small handful of nuts, this is your best bet. They're easy to sprinkle into salads, oatmeal, granola and chia seed pudding.

8. HEMP SEEDS- Unlike other seeds, hemp seeds are unique in that they moderate oil production, so they keep your skin moisturized without clogging your pores, they sooth inflammation to minimize redness, can treat atopic dermatitis and have anti-aging properties. It is the perfect acne solution whether you're eating the hemp seeds or using hemp seed oil (different from regular hemp oil-you want the oil to come from the seeds themselves), it will keep skin hydrated but clear.

Added to this list would be herbs such as juicing celery for a detoxifying effect on the skin and clearing up conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and also turmeric either in raw root form juiced to drink or add to smoothies, or taken in capsule form. I like making Turmeric Golden Milk lattes (like this one above from Dr. Axe's new book Ancient Remedies) with coconut oil which is a fantastic concoction for minimizing and negating inflammation which is triggered by sugar-rich foods, dairy, sometimes grains, and acidic-foods and drinks such as coffee, red meat and more.

We've heard it a million times, but drinking 2 liters of water per day (or half your body weight in ounces of water) is the surest way to not only keep your skin and body properly hydrated and supple, but also flush away the many toxins we're exposed to daily so that you won't experience breakouts and other skin conditions.

I'd love to know what you're eating for glowing, radiant skin! Leave a comment below.

Cyber Monday 2020 Sales Guide

2020-11-30T16:37:00.002-08:00

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend with family and/or friends. Our little family made it special by taking a little road trip just us three over to Napa and spending our entire holiday at one of our favorite wine country properties (which you may have seen in instagram stories). We were cozied up by the fire, playing tennis, sipping hot cocoa and enjoying morning walks while taking in the beauty of all the colorful fall leaves that we don't typically see very much of in San Francisco. It was the perfect weekend and Lily asked us about five times if we could pretty please stay an extra day and confessed how much she loved it there, and cannot wait to go back. Here's a peek at last year's family Christmas photo in our matching family pajamas.

I've never been one to wake up and brave the Black Friday in-store deals, so Cyber Monday has always been the day I've most looked forward to as I prefer to curl up with a hot coffee in hand and enjoy shopping in my PJ's without enduring the crowds. I've rounded up the 25 best sales for you today in this little 2020 sales guide!

CYBER MONDAY DEALS

ALO YOGA // Up to 70% off sale + 20% off new arrivals

AMAZON // Hundreds of deals in every department

ANTHROPOLOGIE // 30% off everything

BANANA REPUBLIC // 50% off all items

BAUBLE BAR // 30% off everything with code: BB30

BLOOMINGDALES // Take 25% off sale and regular-priced items

EXPRESS // 50% off entire site + free shipping

FRONTGATE // Up to 70% off + free shipping

GAP // 50% off everything

HARRY & DAVID // Up to 30% off everything

KATE SPADE // Enjoy extra 50% off w/ code: DEALSDOTCOM

KENDRA SCOTT // 30% off + 25% off fine jewelry

LULULEMON // Up to 40% off

MACY'S // Up to 60% off in every department

NORDSTROM // Up to 50% off + extra 25% off clearance

OLD NAVY // 50% off your entire purchase, no code

PINROSE FRAGRANCES // Up to 40% OFF, use code: CLASSY for free shipping

POTTERYBARN // 20% off your order + free shipping over $79 w/ code: CYBER

SEPHORA// Up to 50% off + plus free shipping

SHOPBOP // 20% off your order of $200 or more

T3 MICRO // 25% off everything w/ code: HOLIDAY25

TARGET // 30% off clothes + up to 50% off furniture

TORY BURCH // Up to 30% off full-price + up to 60% off sale w/code: THANKS

ULTA // Black Friday beauty deals + free shipping over $35

WAYFAIR // Cyber Monday Blowout up to 80% off

WILLIAMS-SONOMA // Up to 50% off including Nespresso machines & Kitchen Aid

....

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I hope you're able to find some great deals on things you need for yourself or items you need to cross off your gift-giving list. Happy Shopping!

My Amazon Prime Day Picks

2020-10-14T18:46:00.004-07:00

It's that time of year again to stock up on (mostly) electronics and start your holiday shopping with the Amazon Prime Day deals. Every year we buy a few items that are simply too good to pass up. This year we ordered several items including this cordless lightweight vacuum (since our current one broke down), the workout tops below and I'm debating whether I should finally make the leap over to the air pods pro just like Byron (he uses them everyday for conference calls, podcasts, workout music).

ONE- Many of you may have seen me wearing my rose gold apple watch in IG stories, I love it for monitoring my daily steps, calories burned, tracking my monthly cycle, taking phone calls, checking email while out for a run, listening to music with my air pods and so much more. My sweetie purchased it as a birthday gift for me in August and I'm getting way more use out of it then I ever thought I would, aside from keeping the time. We initially purchased a fancy wristband for it, but I returned it as I love the pale pink one it comes with.

TWO- Backless Workout Top (I purchased it in pink and green) to pair with black yoga pants while working out at home for a casual, yet understated sexy vibe. I've been on the hunt for more backless sweaters and workout tops as they are both practical in keeping you cool as much as they are cute.

THREE- People have been raving about the Bose noise-canceling headphones for as long as I can remember for flights as well as working at home with kids and I've always written them off as too expensive to justify buying them, however at $100 off, they are a worthy splurge at a steep discount for you or that special someone on your holiday list! Given that we are in a pandemic and get peace wherever we can manage, this will make it that much easier.

FOUR- I have shared my love for my Vitamix on the blog and numerous times in stories where I make everything from healthy smoothies to nutritious soup from scratch! I used it constantly when Lily was a baby making homemade baby food for her and now she can't wait until we get to toss in fruit and dairy-free milk to make the best popsicles. I've always found mine easy to clean and it powers through everything including kale stalks which I love when making green smoothies. This is the latest model and it is beautiful! If you've ever wanted to own one, they are truly life-changing, and the price can't be beat right now!

FIVE- I have owned the regular wireless Apple air pods for a couple years and last Christmas I bought B the air pods pro. To say they are life-changing is an understatement. They stay put in your ears and they are noise-canceling. You can choose when you want to block out background noise and when you don't. I'm always stealing his when he's not using them and I think they are the PERFECT gift for basically everyone.

SIX- Since I spend a lot of time on my laptop and phone for work and creating content, blue light blocking glasses ensure that my body isn't absorbing the very light that causes sleep disruption, low energy and more. These were so inexpensive for a 4-pack that I couldn't not get them. I look forward to trying them out. I've never worn glasses and these come in a variety of fashionable styles.

SEVEN- We invested in the Echo Dot a couple years ago during another prime day sale and we use it all the time to set reminders to give Lily her vitamins, to do certain tasks, to play music and ask Alexa to tell us funny jokes or answer random questions. It's so cheap right now, if you've thought of getting one ever, now is the time, it's under $20!

EIGHT- With everyone required to be on zoom calls, doing distance-learning or in my case creating LIVE content via Facebook and Instagram, I thought it was time to upgrade from my laptop's built-in web cam by replacing it with a separate high-resolution web cam.

SHOP THE DEALS:

Thanks for stopping by. I'd love to know what Prime Day items you scored this year!

8 Bad Habits a Classy Woman Always Avoids

2020-09-11T05:00:00.007-07:00

While there are many bad habits that a classy woman should be mindful to avoid, there are a few that stand out among the others, 8 to be exact, that separate the women from the classy ladies. I'm sharing what they are, along with why and how we should abstain from doing them.

8 Bad Habits a Classy Woman Should Avoid

1. Tardiness and Canceling Last Minute- I listed this first for a reason. If you do everything else in a way you're proud of but cannot respect others' time, you will have earned yourself the reputation of always arriving late. Not only is showing up tardy to an event or an appointment completely disrespectful, but it can also be incredibly disruptive, and can at times create an inconvenience logistically. Cancelling at the last minute, otherwise known as "bailing" is probably one of the worst offenders. I have attending weddings and beautiful high-end birthday parties where couples or individuals have decided very last minute (sometimes an hour before!) that they would not be attending, to the dismay and cost of the event's host who has paid for their plates or catering ahead of time.

If you absolutely need to due to an unforeseen emergency, be sure to compensate the host for the cost with either a check or a more extravagant-than-usual gift as an apology. If you had a personal training session, dental appointment or spa visit on your calendar, canceling last minute doesn't allow the service provider time to earn back the revenue that they have now lost due to the cancellation, it affects a company or individual's bottom line and income. The right thing to do for prepaid lessons, is allow that session to essentially be a "paid" session even when you are a no show (after calling to state that you won't be able to make it) or offer to pay the provider for their time in the amount of the class/session. There is a reason why hair salons typically take a credit card to hold on file and will charge you 50-100% of the service you would have received.

2. Fidgeting- A classy woman is comfortable in her own skin and the style of clothing she chooses for herself, so she doesn't feel out of her element. Biting one's nails, picking the skin around your nails, cracking knuckles, making neck adjustments, pulling at your clothing, constantly straightening your outfit or needing to tuck it in are all distractions that fall under the category of fidgeting. A confident and refined lady does not fidget, she doesn't come across nervous or anxious. She's not constantly twirling her hair, re-applying lipstick or gloss. This comes across as immature and lacks self awareness.

Do you remember the scene in the movie Pretty Woman where Edward tells Vivian on what I believe was their 2nd date "You look very beautiful and very tall when you're not fidgeting." Our beauty and essence as a woman are able to be appreciated when we're not constantly moving around and unable to sit still. Make sure that you're comfortable with your hairstyle, makeup and your outfit and footwear choice before leaving the house. When bracelets are clanging together on your arm, you're constantly re-adjusting your pantyhose that are one size too small or when you choose a new dress that isn't your style or heels that are too high which you don't feel comfortable in, it becomes apparent to everyone around you. This may involve you practicing in a higher pair of heels or a new style of dress at home. My article on 'How to Walk in High Heels' may be helpful. Spend the day wearing a new outfit, pair of shoes, hairstyle, etc., at home and consider it safe testing grounds so you know that a chignon or bun typically falls out after a few hours because you have thick hair or it was just washed and is too soft. Perhaps your new strapless bra tends to slide down after 10 minutes and you constantly have to readjust it, now you know to buy or wear a different one instead so you can move freely.

3. Interrupting Others- I'm forever reminding my seven year old daughter not to interrupt mommy and daddy while we're talking (or anyone else she's with!) and to also raise her hand on zoom calls when she has a question for her teacher. That said, there are many adults whose impatience takes over who could benefit from this reminder (myself included at times). The more familiar we are with others, the more likely we are to interrupt so this is very common among couples, families and close friends. In order to make others feel both comfortable as well as valued and important in our presence, we need to put our own questions and ideas aside, and let them finish a thought or story.

Sometimes I personally get so excited that I can't help but interject with a question I'm dying to know the answer to or I'll jump in and try to finish my sweetie's sentence. We are all a work in progress, this is an area that I'm working to personally become better at. When we do this we're also no longer in our feminine energy. It comes across as rude and tells the other person that what they have to share doesn't matter as much as what we have to say. None of us are perfect, but this is really important to master even if it means having to physically bite your own tongue to keep yourself in check!

4. Using Foul Language- The language we use is a reflection of our character. Cursing is definitely not ladylike and should be avoided at all costs. In our modern world it may seem as though it's acceptable to let it all hang out and that swearing is not a big deal. I once saw a t-shirt that read "Classy but I cuss a little". I saw another that read " I'm an intelligent, classy, well educated woman that says "F" a lot". Let me start off by saying that for someone who is intelligent and well educated, one should have a much broader vocabulary and hopefully an equal sense of self-control. This immediately lowers your value in the presence of others, is inappropriate and makes others feel uncomfortable, especially those who aren't used to hearing it. If you have children, they are likely to repeat you and start speaking in the same manner.

5. Excessive Smartphone Checking- Have you ever been in the company of someone whose eyes were glued to their phone's screen? I have personally experienced this and it makes you feel unimportant and it's incredibly rude. Smart phones, just like social media, have become black holes, they offer many benefits but are also one of the most common forms of distraction and can ultimately be time wasters. To be a feminine woman is to be present in the moment without constantly checking for the latest text message from your friends and the man you're dating, or waiting for an email from your boss. One way to remedy this is to turn off notifications (even if just temporarily). Using the 'do not disturb' feature during meetings, appointments and gatherings is an easy fix to keep you focused. However, it is our mindset that ultimately needs to shift if we want to be elegant ladies who truly aim to live in the moment leading with our best foot forward.

6. Slouching- It's been said that first impressions are everything, because sometimes we just don't get that second chance to show who we really are. That said, if you're working in an office slumped over your keyboard, you will not come across as the confident, healthy, strong and capable potential candidate for a promotion. Likewise, this is also unattractive to a potential partner as our body is not in it's elegant, ladylike form of elongation, and instead is hunched. Over time, if not corrected, slouching will erode your spinal health and can cause a permanent curvature of the spine. Practice improving your posture by sitting up straight daily (placing a mirror on your desk or a large mirror on the wall in front of your desk will cause you to take notice) along with either twice daily stretching and/or yoga to both stretch and strengthen your core muscles. Strengthening exercises can improve slouching along with other tools such as a posture corrector which can be worn under clothing inconspicuously and gently reminds you to pull your shoulders up and back. Doing this daily over time will encourage a straighter spine.

7. Being Too Loud-An elegant lady is never the loudest in the room, in fact she is the farthest thing from boisterous. Unless she is delivering a speech with a microphone in hand to amplify her message or alerting someone to immediate danger, her voice should remain at a moderate tone. Others will lean in just to listen to what she has to say and her tone is deliberate. This level of awareness also applies to the way that she plays music and listens to videos or TV and movies. She doesn't aim to blare her favorite artist at the highest possible decibel level, she is mindful of her neighbors and family members or even perfect strangers that may be within distance. A quiet woman is mysterious, she doesn't beg for attention nor make her entrance into a room an announcement. She arrives in style, on time and without a lot of fanfare.

8. Talking too Much- Similar to being too loud, talking too much can come across as overbearing. A lady speaks when she has something important to say or ask. She doesn't ramble on incessantly about everything. She may on occasion get carried away with a topic she's passionate about, however she is mindful to gauge the interest level of others in her presence and also ensures that everyone has time to speak, so she isn't monopolizing the conversation with endless chatter. She knows that the focus should be on the host and other guests and asking questions is a surefire way that she will not be doing all the talking. Often times, women who lack confidence or who are insecure will keep talking as a way to alleviate nervousness or anxiety in groups, especially while in the company of strangers. This often leads to oversharing personal information or just talking for the sake of it to avoid a pause in conversation or the fear of being asked questions they don't wish to answer. The best approach is to ask others a question about themselves first such as how they know the host, something light and that everyone would be interested in learning. Be curious and interested in others and they will do the same. Keep your replies short and sweet without being curt. If you're asked more questions, do answer them but try not to turn it into a conversation about yourself. Talking too much and being too loud often go hand in hand.

If you know of any other specific 'bad habits' that should be on this list, I'd love to hear them! You can leave your feedback in the comments below or in our Facebook community.

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As always, thanks for reading!

XO
Karla

*photo credit

Classic White Dresses for Summer Under $100

2020-06-11T15:24:00.002-07:00

Is there anything more quintessential than a white dress for summer? A month ago on Mother's Day our little family headed to Napa for an afternoon of a social distanced lunch outdoors, followed by our tradition of mother-daughter photos, and our first taste of ice cream in the 80-degree sunshine. Lily is 6.5 now and getting harder to carry so I figured this year might be my last to capture a photo like this which perfectly captures the bond we share. Every year we aim to coordinate in dresses, this year I wanted a pure aesthetic, white eyelet midi dresses were the perfect fit.

My closet is now home to a growing collection of white dresses, I've become a bit obsessed with them for summer, especially during vacation. I recently added this midi dress along with coordinating belt as well as this dress to my wardrobe, and wanted to share my favorite classy white dress picks which are all under $100, most are very affordable and around the $50 price point-the perfect investment for the season! Click any image below to be taken to the source for more details. There's also a sale happening at Nordstrom right now on summer dresses, you can find it here, for a few more days you can collect extra rewards points as a Nordy member.

What are your favorite dresses for summer? Flowing maxi dresses, short and sweet above-the-knee or the ever-versatile midi dress?

SHOP WHITE DRESSES:

How to Keep Kids Busy During Quarantine

2020-04-30T03:00:00.000-07:00

If you've been struggling to keep your kids learning and entertained while they whine "I'm bored", "can I watch TV?" or "will you play with me?" as you work from home and attempt to get some quiet time and keep the entire house (along with your sanity) together, today's post is for you!

When social distancing began and rumors started trickling in about schools potentially closing for the remainder of the year, we made the decision to stock up on arts, crafts and other activities to keep our sweet little 6-year-old daughter happy and occupied. We committed to the idea of giving her 1 new craft project every other day for as long as we were ordered to shelter in place and spend out days indoors. These came in particularly handy as the first 2 weeks didn't involve school lesson plans and parents were left to figure out a homeschooling curriculum on their own. As soon as Lily wakes up (which is usually between 5:30am-6:30am), we give her a craft first thing to start the day along with breakfast so we each have quiet 'work from home' time before her online distance learning class begins. It's been such a fun way to break up the day and gives her something to look forward to.

I'm sharing the top 22 kids craft projects & activities that we have purchased online for her, revealing which ones have been her favorite so far. I'm breaking them down into 2 parts: girls crafts and then the remainder of unisex crafts (these fit the age 5-10 category)

10 CRAFTS FOR GIRLS:

1. Jewelry Making Kit- We ended up purchasing 5 different jewelry making kits ranging from Disney princesses and frozen to more difficult kits with smaller beads which allow for more creativity. This is Lily's favorite of the bunch which allowed her to make necklaces as well as bracelets that look a bit more grown up. She loves being able to gift her friends with bracelets by mail that she had made from her various kits.

2. Princess Stamping Kit- Every child I know loves stamping and what makes this kit fun is that it also comes with pencil crayons so that the pictures can be filled in and made unique each time.

3. Light Up Fashion Tracing Pad- This has been a favorite for my little fashionista who also happens to love horses. The tracing templates contain both horses with a variety of tales, manes and of course countless outfits, hair styles, accessories and more with a runway backdrop complete with coloring pencils. This one has kept her entertained at home as well as the car during the odd trip we've had to make during quarantine.

4. Fashion Designer Studio Kit- This kit is a dream for every little girl who enjoys dressing up and has already shown an interest in making doll clothes and fashion in general. Lily loves pinning fabric onto the dress mannequin so she can measure, cut and refine each look.

5. Easy Unicorn Pillow- For those who cannot sew or you don't want to be handling a needle and thread yet, this is the perfect project! It's a pre-sewn unicorn that you stuff and close up with colored flannel strips to make the mane. Lily has slept with her pillow many times and plays with it in her fort.

6. Flower Crown Making Kit- A no-mess project at home or on the go resulting in pretty flower crowns that are fun to make and beautiful to wear.

7. Painting Ceramic Unicorns- This kit came with 2 different unicorns and several paint pots including metallic paint which was perfect for the horn. What I loved was that this craft took her a while to paint each and I was able to work as she quietly painted and didn't need any help with it.

8. Fairy Magical Cottage Garden- This kit is super cute and is a fun addition to a porch or backyard garden area so that your little miss has her own little fairy space that she plants herself and can tend to and watch it grow. I like that it can be enjoyed for months to come and is something that she can take care of which teaches responsibility.

9. Beginner's Sewing Kit- This kit was a huge hit! I definitely had to help with the cutting of the felt and show her how to actually sew, but after a few mins she got the hang of it. This is definitely a fun parent-child activity but I still had quiet time to work for a bit sitting beside her as she wanted to finish the sewing and stuffing herself. The instruction booklet is detailed and there are several patterns, it can be used again and again.

10. How to Draw Book- While watching YouTube videos has been a great tool to teach Lily how to draw, I wanted her to follow another method using quadrants for practicing drawing characters and this girly book was the best option with unicorns and mermaids which are her favorite right now.

10 ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS:

1. Magic Clay- I think it's safe to say that we got our money's worth from this kit! It has been the most used so far and I love that it has 24 different colors to make a wide array of creations. It contains key chains and other loops so kids can clip it to their backpack or elsewhere.

2. Painted Window Art- One of the first things we saw popping up during quarantine were drawings in the window's of homes where little ones lived. Lily has a grid of her own drawings in our dining area facing the walkway and this is one more fun tool to add a child's creativity and brighten the day of passersby. Working at the dining table it's been sweet seeing many people walk by and point to her happy little creations.

3. Smarty Pants Trivia- While this isn't a craft, this activity is a great way to keep kids engaged and having fun while learning interesting facts and testing their knowledge at their current grade level. Lily is in first grade so that is the one we chose for her.

4. Wikki Stix- We were first introduced to these little bendable wax sticks at a restaurant in Hawaii that handed them out. We later bought her a travel kit that she's used while we've dined out at restaurants, while on longer road trips, at home and at friend's houses to keep her entertained. This newest addition was to top up her pack and comes with a huge variety of colors-I even like playing with them!

5. Kinetic Sand- Perfect for those who don't have a sandbox and can't get to the beach! Even if you can do both, this sand is clean, sticks together and is ultimately like beach sand that never dries out. It also comes in pink, purple and other colors but I like products without coloring as much as possible so I opted for this kit with castle tools complete with a king and queen. We have since bought another bag of the sand to double the amount of fun!

6. Domino Blocks- Just because a child might be too young for the actual game of dominoes doesn't mean they can't enjoy setting up an knocking down beautiful patterns. Lily uses these to build towers too, I love that they are multi-colored and this little tote keeps them contained and easy to store.

7. Rubix Cube- This may not be for every child, but after finding out that mommy and daddy both had one growing up, Lily asked for one and has been fascinated by it. It kept her busy for an hour the first day we gave it to her. Ha Ha. The bonus is that us adults still like challenging ourselves with it, so it's fun for our whole family.

8. My First Origami Kit- Lily has been watching a ton of YouTube videos to teach herself to make different origami so we decided it was time for a little kit and I love that this one has animal patterns that match the animals such as a turtle shell, mouse fur etc. This is a great parent-child project and once they get the hang of it can fly solo.

9. Assorted Craft Box- We didn't have any specific craft materials on hand other than drawing tools and construction paper so I thought it was time to add a bit more to the mix and this has allowed Lily to make some really cute creations.

10. Artist's Kit- We've been through several of these over the years, but no quarantine is complete without a kit of paints, markers, crayons and all the essentials for drawing and creating. This kit is really affordable and can be shared by multiple kits and is perfect to take on the go.

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I'm always looking for new activities and crafts to keep our sweet girl busy, so I'd love to hear what some of your favorite activities are for keeping your own kiddos happy and entertained.

Karla

How to Create a Better Morning Routine

2020-04-19T03:30:00.001-07:00

Once upon a time I was a night owl who would work on ideas, blog posts and interior design projects until all hours of the night (and sometimes into the early morning!) with my laptop resting on my legs and a favorite Grey's Anatomy episode playing in the background. That was until I had a baby and having a morning routine became more important than ever as I adjusted to a completely different lifestyle. While that routine has changed over the past 6 years depending on what stage Lily was in, with everyone underfoot these days being in quarantine and working from home, I've had to readjust to a new way of life yet again to maximize both productivity and personal enjoyment. I've learned in life that how we begin our morning is what dictates how the rest of the day will unfold, so the first hour of every single day is critical and it's essential for self care, yes including weekends.

If I happen to sleep in on the weekend or I don't shower and/or get dressed during the week until noon, I can't help but feel sloppy and unproductive. One thing I can thank my sweetie for is re-introducing me to very early mornings. For his profession, he has to be up early before the stock market opens at 6:30am Pacific time, so I began adapting to his schedule and making an earlier bedtime a must. Our last summer vacation to Europe actually had us waking up around 4 or 5am every morning and when we returned home I kind of enjoyed it. The photo above was taken in Tuscany, Italy early in the morning while I was taking time to journal and write down some book ideas. When we returned home, Lily was still away for the summer so we we kept up the routine and I felt like I got so much accomplished. Especially if you are a mom, my best advice to you (as it's what I've personally found to be the key to carving out time for myself) is to get up at least one hour before your kids wake up or an hour before your usual alarm goes off if you live alone or with your partner. Make the first 60-90 minutes count by holding off on opening email or checking social media. I think you'll find that it's a very refreshing and positive way to begin each day versus diving into negative news spirals, the demands of your job and the countless other to do's on your list.

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I'm laying out my 10 Steps on How to Create a Better Quarantine Morning Routine. These are meant to inspire you to make those small changes that will ultimately have a big impact overall.

How to Spend the First Hour of Your Morning

1. Consume a Hot Detox Drink- Starting the day with hot water and the juice of half of a lemon (I use this squeezer) or dandelion detox tea, both are perfect as they immediately help stimulate and flush out the liver and set the stage for digestion after resting all evening. These are both alkalizing options vs. coffee or caffeinated tea which are known to be acidic, so it's best to consume it first. If you're like me and practice intermittent fasting, you're not eating or even drinking juices first thing in the morning, so this is a great way to stay hydrated along with water and feel full until you're ready to eat.

Time: Approx. 3 mins

WHAT I USE:

2. Green smoothie + Daily Vitamins- If you struggle to remember to take vitamins or swallow a lot of supplements at once, I recommend doing it with a thick smoothie-it goes down much easier and then you won't forget if you take both together. I opt for a green smoothie that packs in more greens instead of a fruit-based version which contains more sugar. I'm going to share an upcoming post with all of my best go-to recipes that I whip up in my Vitamix, however one of my favorite green smoothie recipe is a Tropical Green Smoothie I created. Recipe: Combine 3 large leaves of green kale, 1/2 cup frozen mango, 1 frozen sliced banana, 1 cup coconut water, 1 cup of spinach blended and 1 tbsp of shredded coconut into your blender. You could also toss in a greens powder if you don't have the fresh version on hand. I usually thrown in 1 tsp of amla powder for hair, skin and nails along with 1/2 tsp of ashwaganda powder which is great for combating stress, anxiety and insomnia.

Time: Approx. 5 mins

WHAT I USE:

3. Open your Blinds with the Sun-While I typically rise before the sun, I like to experience the sunlight pouring into our home so I make a point of opening up all the blinds and letting natural light in, it helps me wake up and feel ready for the day. If you wake up to clouds and gloom on an overcast day, I recommend turning on lights around your home to signal to the brain that there's daylight.

Time: Approx. 2 mins

4. Stretch Your Body- You've just spent 6-8 hours sleeping, now it's time to wake your body up and loosen up stiff muscles. I like to put on some yoga pants, jog on the spot for a minute to warm my body up then spend 3-5 minutes stretching on my yoga mat from head-to-toe focusing more on my tightest muscles from sitting at a desk such as my glutes and hips. I find repeating the same stretches three times from side is what gets the kinks out and my muscles always feel more relaxed. It's one of the best things I do for myself every morning, I also try to do some stretching every evening before bed for a more enjoyable sleep.

Time: Approx. 5 mins

WHAT I USE:

5. Make Your Bed- Nothing else will instantly make a bedroom look put together like making the bed itself. It's the focal point of the room, so leaving it unmade looks untidy and is the equivalent to staying in sweats all day which can affect your mood. I love to climb into a freshly made bed every night versus a messy pile of tangled sheets and blankets so this is something we do every morning upon waking and takes just a few minutes so there is no excuse. I find having a pretty bedding set along with accent pillows that you really like makes you look forward to seeing it perfectly made and fluffed. If you have an extra minute to spare, neaten up your nightstands while you're at it.

Time: Approx. 5 mins

6. Pull Yourself Together- If you work from home and don't need to shower for the day or are immediately dealing with small children, you may only have enough time to brush your teeth, cleanse your face, apply skin cream and pull your hair into a clip, so showering at night may be the better option. For everyone else, I recommend showering in the early morning to feel fresh for the day. Especially right now as we're all in quarantine, it may seem less necessary but I recommend doing it unless you are beginning your day with a run or intense workout first. Right now I've been letting my hair air dry half way while I work or spend time with Lily, then blow dry it and wear very light natural everyday make up, I do this for myself to feel good and polished.

Time: Approx. 17 mins

WHAT I USE:

7. Get Dressed- Although I'm home daily now with our family as we social distance, I still want to look put together and be a role model for my daughter and simultaneously look put together for my sweetie, plus I just personally feel better when I'm wearing real clothes vs. pajamas. My daily quarantine outfits have ranged jeans plus a t-shirt, a zip up sweater with yoga pants and a tank top for a more athleisure look, or making a bigger effort by pulling out a casual dress or black jeans paired with a nice blouse. The days I do wear a dress, I feel more ladylike, feminine and sometimes sexy depending on the style, therefore I find that I carry myself differently. Obviously, this is not always practical such as during a bike ride with my little one or playing on the floor, but when I'm doing work at our dining room table. I've found that when I dress and feel my best, that extends to how I carry myself and also perform, as I take myself more seriously.

Time: Approx. 5 mins

WHAT I USE:

8. Get Some Fresh Air & Sunshine- If you live in a home with a porch, balcony or backyard, I recommend drinking your morning hot drink or smoothie outside, if you are living in an apartment or another space without easy outdoor access, look for ways you can incorporate a walk to increase blood circulation and take in some fresh air when fewer people are outside or find a special spot to take in the morning sunlight. I'm grateful that while we don't have a backyard to call our own, we do have a rooftop deck and we have the option of a park nearby along the water where both of our bedrooms also face. lacing up a pair of sneakers and heading out for daily walks has really helped keep our spirits up while we've been mostly indoors these these past few weeks. Even with a mask on, feeling the sunlight hit your face and absorbing that vitamin D will do wonders as you begin your day.

Time: Approx. 10 minutes

9. Prioritize Your TO DO List- When I was younger I used to love making TO DO lists, it somehow made me feel extra productive to cross off a particularly long list of various activities. However, over the years I've learned that having a long list doesn't necessarily make anyone more productive, but do you know what does? Identifying the top 3 must-do's for my day. For everyone this will look different, but ask yourself if you got nothing else done, which 3 things would move the needle towards your biggest and most important goals? Make these the priority and everything else you get accomplished is just gravy. I find committing it via pen and paper in my planner helps me get more done. Personally, it might be getting one new blog post complete or drafting a new floor plan for an interior design project with a tight deadline or it might be shooting a week's worth of photography for upcoming content or creating and editing one particular video I've committed to as I collaborate with a brand, etc.

Time: Approx. 3 mins

10. Be Still- We all have things to be grateful for and what better time to meditate on positive thoughts than before be start another day! I recommend taking a few minutes daily to close your eyes and either pray, give thanks, recite positive daily affirmations or just be completely quiet and see what you hear and feel. What other time during your day will you have this much uninterrupted solitude without the demands of the day coming at you? This is your time to get centered and if you prefer, you could journal or write in a gratitude journal instead.

Time: Approx. 5 mins

WHAT I USE:

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I love learning how others do life and what shifts make them happier and more productive, and I believe you do too. I hope this will inspire and encourage some of you to try something new that will result in a more rewarding and uplifting day.

What key tips are part of your morning routine? Your can share them with us in the comments below.

XO

My Top 12 Quarantine Purchases from Amazon

2020-04-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

There isn't a week that goes by at our house where we don't receive some kind of package from Amazon. It's where we buy the majority of our vitamins, Lily's toys, kitchen gadgets and my skincare purchases. Their fast and free shipping makes it an easy choice for our family. We order many of our weekly groceries online so they can be delivered to our home. We've been placing orders almost daily as I've been discovering new craft supplies and educational books that Lily can enjoy from home now that I'm homeschooling her during the quarantine.

Today I've rounded up 12 Things I bought from Amazon during the Quarantine for you. Perhaps some will be items you haven't thought of that will help make this time spent indoors more enjoyable while keeping you healthy!

1. Adult Coloring Books- I find coloring to be such a relaxing activity. I often sit and color pages or draw with Lily, but there are such a variety of adult coloring books available now for everyone including: animal lovers, those who love daily affirmations, interior design, or floral images, etc. I just ordered this one from my favorite interior DIY couples and I'm excited to color it in room by room once it's back in stock and arrives.

2. Blue Corn Beeswax Candles- If you love the ambiance and warmth from candles, but not the black smoke most emit, these all natural beeswax candles actually clean and ionize the air as they burn-perfect during quarantine as we all focus on staying indoors. Blue Corn make everything from votives, pillar and tealights to taper and jarred candles also. I was surprised to see that beyond the natural yellow, they also offer a black or white version to match your decor, I like the natural yellow hue.

3. Prismacolor Quality Coloring Pencils- You don't need to use a high quality version of pencil crayons to color, a package of Crayola will certainly do. However, if you decide to purchase a few color books or enjoy sketching and doing other drawings like I do, I recommend investing in a higher quality set of coloring pencils like Prismacolor pencil crayons if you want better results. As an art student in high school, I know they offer a large array of hues, the pencils themselves also sharpen much easier with the casing in tact providing less pencil tip breakage so they are really long-lasting. Better quality pencils also produce a softness that makes coloring and blending easier. This brand is also very high quality and provides a wider range of colors, both have excellent 5 star reviews.

4. Drip Drop- The day before Lily came home from school with a fever and flu symptoms, I just so happened to stock up on several of our usual medicines along with a big variety pack of Drip Drop. We always keep some on hand for our hot yoga classes and intense workouts and pop into our carry-on bags for travel. Drip Drop is a natural oral rehydration powder that you combine with water to prevent or treat dehydration. Lily loves all 3 flavors so they are the perfect thing to fill her water bottle up with when she has a fever and/or flu. It's safe, tastes great and is far better than Gatorade which is filled with artificial colors and drinks like Pedialyte which very often contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame.

5. Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher- When our in-fridge water filtration system stopped working, we knew we didn't want to buy bottled water which is not only expensive, but isn't environmentally-friendly, so we opted for this stainless steel reusable filter pitcher instead that would provide alkaline ionized water and not just filter out chlorine "taste", but actually filter out the chlorine, heavy metals, most of the fluoride from tap water as well as other contaminants. While I loved their beautiful glass version of our stainless steel pitcher, with a 6 year old always reaching for it daily it just seemed less practical and the stainless steel is food grade and corrosion-free plus both of these chic pitchers come with a long-life replaceable filter bag. We've been using ours for 3 weeks now and we all really love it!

6. Bach Rescue Remedy Spray- When the covid-19 news first broke in the U.S. I could feel my stress level rise and as we received our first confirmed case in San Francisco, I found myself more anxious and not sleeping at night so I immediately ordered Rescue Remedy Stress Relief spray, something I've used in the past and found helpful when I was pregnant which was recommended as safe by my Midwife. The Bach flower remedies all serve a specific purpose, this blend helps calm nerves with just a couple sprays under the tongue as needed throughout the day (also comes in dropper form or pastilles and there is a version for pets too).

7. Plant Therapy Immune Blend- Whether you diffuse essential oils into the air or enjoy wearing them on your body mixed into lotion or other carrier oils, there are great benefits. I recently discovered this immune-aid blend by Plant Therapy which someone recommend placing on the bottoms of your feet before adding socks and climbing into bed for immune-building and preventative measures. Especially during the winter months when all sorts of virus are going around, I like to take precautions with natural remedies. They also offer this winter set of 3 which includes a germ-fighter.

8. Hathaspace Hepa True Air Purifier- While a quality air purifier like our Hathaspace Smart True Help Air Purifier is essential if you have pets, live in a mold-prone humid climate or if you experience seasonal allergies, we bought ours specifically with virus' and potential mold in mind along with my sweetie's seasonal allergies. Although we have wood floors throughout (because carpet traps allergens), keep our home clean and don't have any pets, we purchased two of these units for our 1,300 sqft condo that we use in each of our 2 bedrooms and run them day/night. Since it's light, I can carry one downstairs easily to our main level and run it there too. I'm glad we bought both and I've noticed less sneezing when we began using it. Byron had a horrible flu for about 5 days back in February and we ran our Hathaspace unit day/night, even though I slept next to him every night Lily nor I picked up the bug, I attribute it to several things, including our new device. I love that it has 3 fan speeds (the lowest speed is so quiet I barely hear it) and there is a button to turn the display off at night while you sleep which was a huge selling point for me because I need a black room to sleep well.

9. Baking Pan- One thing that became clear from the first day of social-distancing and then eventually quarantine was that we weren't going to be eating out for a while including ordering take out for health safety reasons. Every meal was going to be prepared at home, and that meant having a stocked pantry and fridge as well as the right tools to prepare quick, healthy and delicious meals. While I often use glass dishes for roasting, baking pans like this are larger and far more versatile. They're the perfect solution for 5-ingredient meals where I can add chicken pieces, cubed sweet potato, Brussels sprouts and other veggies to a single tray, minimizing dishes an fuss at dinnertime. I also ordered this mini muffin/cupcake pan as Lily and I have been doing so much baking and the smaller portion sizes are more bite-sized for her and help us maintain our health.

10. Airborne Immune Gummies- Our entire family loves taking vitamins in gummy format. Since high potency and quality are important, we only do it with specific supplements, namely Immune gummies (we get this kids' version for Lily) and our melatonin gummies that we take before bed. Lily has the kids version and this is the adult version we take. The airborne gummies contain vitamin C as well as an herbal blend of immune-building ingredients such as echinacea and ginger.

11. Lemon Squeezer- I'm not sure why we didn't have this lemon squeezer in our kitchen drawer prior to quarantine, especially because we often drink hot water with lemon in the morning. However, once I began juicing lemons morning and night with vitamin C capsules mixed in as my DIY immunity drink (I prepare this when we run out of our Emergen-C packets) I knew there was a better way and it was so worth the tiny investment to eliminate all seeds and also press the maximum amount of lemon juice. It's easy to use and clean and should be in everyone

12. Epsoak Sleep Formula- If you already have lavender oil on hand as well as premium epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) then you may not need this, but if you prefer a prepared version for better sleep and relaxation that you can just pour into your bath, I recommend this particular Epsoak Sleep formula, they also have a unique detox+cleanse version if you're spending this time removing toxins from your body as well as a great foot soak! They also make a kids' sleep version, if you're a mama this is the perfect addition to your little one's peaceful bedtime routine.

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I'd love to know what your must-have purchases have been. Has anyone else been ordering almost daily from Amazon like me?

XO

15 Ways to Stay Healthy & Productive While Social Distancing

2020-03-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

The first week of social distancing felt a bit like a working vacation. My sweetie and I stayed up really late every night (mostly to read and discuss the news), we've been cooking from scratch daily, taking long family walks in our neighborhood and have been more relaxed about screen time with Lily as we navigate homeschooling her while both of us work from home while keeping our sanity. Whether you're single, living with your partner, married or have a family, most of us have experienced dramatic shifts to our daily routine, social life and our overall level of productivity due to being self-quarantined and practicing social distancing.

While things are different and sometimes challenging right now, remember this time will pass by faster than you think, so I encourage you to use it wisely. It took me an entire week to figure out what was working and where things were falling apart with my work schedule and family routine to begin making necessary adjustments coupled with setting goals for myself so that I'll feel strong and accomplished. With that in mind, I put together this post on How to Stay Healthy & Productive While Social Distancing so that we can all come out of this as the best version of ourselves while also staying sane!

1. ORGANIZE YOUR CLOSET

Spring is synonymous with cleaning and organizing for most of us. It's a time to hit the refresh button on our home so why not finally color code your wardrobe the way you've long admired in magazines. A neat, organized closet is not only aesthetically pleasing but lack of clutter actually helps clear the mind along with speeding up the amount of time it takes to get ready, which will be especially important once we're all thrust back into our regular routines and are back at work.

*Start with trying on sections of clothing in your closet to determine what sparks joy as Marie Condo teaches. If you don't love something, it doesn't fit and isn't in style put it into a donation pile.

*Next, separate the items you need to fix such as sew a button, remove a stain, repair a hemline so you can actually wear them again. This may involve dropping an item off at a dry cleaners (still open at this time) or taking a pair of shoes into a cobbler to replace a heel lift or to be resoled if they're in good condition.

*Organize by Category. I personally like to keep work attire separated from everyday casual wear such as jeans and sun dresses etc. I like to arrange items by category so all tops are together, pants hanging in the same formal on an identical set of space saving thin velvet hangers and all facing the same direction in all parts of my closet.

* Lastly, I then hang each item in their respective categories from lightest to darkest via color coding. This makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier and when I'm looking for a particular piece I can spot it right away or recognize that it's in the laundry and wash it right away if I need it for an upcoming event, etc.

If you want to take it a step further, you might also like this post on How to Maximize your Wardrobe with items you already have on and this other one on How to Maximize Your Wardrobe Budget (to avoid wasting money on clothes that never get worn).

2. START YOUR SIDE HUSTLE

Was one of your goals this year to finally start the business you've been dreaming about? For anyone who is looking to begin blogging, open an Etsy shop, wants to write a book, start a podcast, become a Photographer or Graphic Designer, manage social media accounts or a number of other work from home opportunities, I highly encourage you to start putting your business plan in place now and start where you are. If this global pandemic has taught us anything it's that life can change in an instant, no job is secure, anyone can be laid off on a moment's notice and the only guarantees are when we work on a side hustle that allows us to a) work from home or anywhere in the world b) create a business that will not disappear when a 'shelter in place' type order goes into effect and c) is a product or service that will always be needed (think: coaching services, marital counselling, social media marketing, an Editorial position, products on Etsy, etc).

3. REVAMP YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

What better time to revamp your beauty regimen? If your skin has been in a rut this winter, it might be time to introduce some new products, skin care techniques such as a quartz facial roller (I'm loving mine) to smooth out wrinkles and reduce puffiness. There is no time like being in quarantine away from others to test products without the fear of going out in public with potentially red or irritated skin-it's the perfect low-risk moment for trial and error! Have you been meaning to try those eye serum masks that everyone keeps talking about or use a new brightening moisturizer? Order it and give it a whirl, it might just become your new favorite!

If you've already got the skincare part down, this might be an ideal time to experiment with make up techniques such as the winged eyeliner you've wanted to attempt, try out different eye shadow colors or master the art of highlighting and bronzing. There are so many fun beauty tutorials on Youtube and Instagram for makeup and even some DIY skincare masks. When I began using this mineral bronzer about 8 years ago, it became a game changer adding a subtle year-round glow. One new item I want to try is their mineral bronzer/blush combo. Finding just the right shade of subtle natural nude lip gloss (or the perfect red lipstick for your skin tone) is something that takes time and is something every classy woman should have in her arsenal.

4. LEARN A NEW SKILL

If you've ever wanted to improve your photography skills, learn to code or decorate cakes, many online education resources are generously offering e-courses (some of them are even free) to help people stay busy during this time. A classy woman is invested in her personal growth and strives to be a lifelong learner. There are so many free tutorials on YouTube, social media strategy courses, online photography workshops, cooking classes and traditional courses available. Some great free examples are Coursera, Khan academy, Udemy, edX, Codecademy, Ted-Ed and Stanford Online.

5. SCHEDULE REGULAR WORKOUTS

Treat this time as you would if it were part of your regular daily routine-schedule your workouts in advance and as often as you typically would (or more if you're looking to get some serious results during this time). While you can't attend a class surrounded by people, there are so many incredible online workouts available, and I can attest to the fact that some of the most challenging are those that use your own body weight so it's not essential to own a set of dumb bells or other equipment. My favorite Here is my favorite YouTube workout instructor for quick 10-15 minute power packed workouts that get results (it doesn't hurt that she plays great music too). I am also a big fan of the Sweat App (known as BBG-bikini body guide) where you can choose at home no weight workouts all the way through to weight machines at the gym so it's versatile. Tone It Up is another favorite and they also offer a healthy diet plan with multiple various in their own app. Increasing circulation and sweating is a great way to start the day. Don't forget to stretch!

6 . CLEAN UP YOUR DIET

I'm going to encourage you to use this extra time at home to be more mindful of how you're eating. It's easy to grab comfort food like potato chips as you relax and watch Netflix more than usual but our immune system needs to be at its peak, eliminating junk food and excess sugar is essential. Opt for a healthy green smoothie recipe instead of a bagel and cream cheese or replacing your takeout habit at dinnertime with an easy meal such as a salad with roasted chicken breast. With grocery store shelves not being as fully stocked as they were, it may be time to get creative with 4-ingredient meals.

If you find that fresh produce is lacking, frozen is just as fresh. If you're not already doing this, buy bananas in bulk and once they're ripe you can slice them up and freeze them in a ziploc bag for smoothies and and making 'nice cream', a healthier non-dairy take on ice cream that whip up like dessert magic in the Vitamix blender (we use ours almost daily for smoothies plus you can make homemade soup in it!). Also, did you know you can freeze those plastic cellophane packs of spinach or kale? It's the perfect way to preserve your power greens for smoothies. Veggies that tend to keep longer are sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and squash. Bean salads are a healthy lunch alternative with a few bell peppers and onions added and you can always make a meal out of avocado toast sprinkled with hemp seeds or topped with cherry tomatoes. Since bread freezes well, you may want to stock up on it. Be sure to keep shelf stable dairy-free milks on hand so they don't have to be refrigerated until opened to use for granola, cereal, smoothies and coffee/tea. Make batches of healthy muffins and freeze the majority so you won't be tempted to eat them all in one day but still always have access to fresh baked goods. If you're feeling extra ambitious start pre-making healthy freezer meals that can just be popped into the oven or microwave in case you feel ill and can't cook for yourself on the fly.

7. SPRING CLEAN YOUR HOUSE

Is there anything better than a freshly cleaned home? I always breathe a sigh of relief when everything has been scrubbed and polished, now it's extra important to stay on top of disinfecting surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, light switches, refrigerator door handles and faucets. Be sure to use all-natural cleaning products so you're not creating a toxic indoor air environment. I recommend tackling your spring cleaning room by room or category by category over the course of a week or two. I started with our pantry for obvious reasons: tossing anything expired, condensing packages down and making room for new items we need to store. Before replacing everything I took a few minutes to wipe down the shelves. I've also tackled Lily's toy and book bins which have made life easier as she's at home with me all day. If you have kids under foot right now, you may want to save floor washing for after they're in bed. I emptied out our under-stairs storage which we're now able to walk to the back of once again, making room for extra cleaning supplies and some non-perishables. My number one goal during our quarantine time is cleaning and organizing our entire home so that once we're able to be social once again, I won't be spending my weekends inside.

8. SOAK UP SOME VITAMIN D

Just because you can't socialize right now doesn't mean that you should stay cooped up indoors. Getting outside into the sunshine is a great way to keep Vitamin D levels high to build immunity, plus sunlight is mood enhancing. Whether you're enjoying coffee on your balcony, lunch on your front porch, barbecuing dinner on your rooftop deck or laying out in the sun with a good book for a few minutes, there are many ways to get your daily allowance. Since wearing sunblock prevents the absorption, I typically go outdoors first thing in the morning. If for some reason you are sick indoors for an extended period of time and cannot get out of bed, a vitamin D3 supplement is your next best option (once cleared with your medical Physician).

9. READ BOOKS

If you're used to reading blog posts and quick news snippets, I encourage you to dive into a good book, it provides mental clarity as you immerse yourself in it helping the stresses of the day melt away. All book stores might be closed in your area but Amazon and Target remain my favorite places to order books online. If you're not able to step foot into a library and are trying to save money, there are tons of free e-books available with your library membership or you can find great titles on Free PDF drive. Use this time to join an online book clubs or just read that mammoth book you've been starting then stopping again and again. If you've felt pressed for time during regular days and find it hard to keep up with current events, now is a great time to get into that habit of starting and ending the day with reading.

10. LIMIT YOUR NEWS CONSUMPTION

While it's important to stay current on what's happening with covid-19 and I wholeheartedly believe that a classy woman is well informed so she can be an interesting conversationalist and lady with depth, a constant stream of news is not helpful for our mental health. It can be anxiety-inducing and contribute to poor quality of sleep and rob us of our daily joy and feelings of gratitude. I check news stories in twice per day but avoid using my phone or watching the news at least an hour before bed.

11. CREATE A GALLERY WALL

Now is the best time to go through all the photos that are currently living in your phone's camera roll or stored on your camera's memory card and bring them to life! Once you find a few that you love, order the photos to be printed or enlarged online (I find a set of black and white are timeless), then pop them into some black picture frames and create a gallery wall displaying your favorite moments. For larger walls, you can trace your frames onto craft paper or even wrapping paper you have on hand then cut them out and tape them to the wall. Once you have the arrangement you like, take a pencil and mark where the nail holes would go. You can now hammer that nail right through the paper then remove all paper taped to the wall and simply hang your frames in place.

12. SET UP A SPA NIGHT

A spa night is the perfect way to end any day in my opinion, not only is it relaxing and rejuvenating mind, body and spirit, but it's also a great way to unwind before bed for a better night's sleep especially if it involves soaking in the tub with epsom salt which naturally detoxes and relaxes tired muscles. Burning a candle and playing soft mediation music adds to the overall vibe. You can create a combination of spa rituals. For a well rounded spa evening, make sure to focus on the body, feet and face. A purifying clay mask for clearer skin, feet covered in soothing lotion and extra soft spa socks to retain moisture for silky softness and a basic no polish manicure to tidy up cuticles and file rough edges. I always feel like a new woman after I've given myself a treatment or two. Finish the evening off with some lavender essential oil vaporized into the air of your bedroom or a couple drops added to your pillow for restful sleep.

13. CONNECT ONLINE WITH LOVED ONES

With technology like Zoom, FaceTime and Skype, we can stay in touch with loved ones, host casual Netflix watch parties, have a ladies happy hour catch-up session, join other moms who are currently teaching their kids from home or even follow a recipe and cook or bake together. My sweetie has been setting up 5pm happy hour calls to meet up with friends (all are in the same industry so they can talk, keep conversation casual or even play poker). I reached out via a Facebook women's group to see if other ladies want to start regular sessions for a much needed reprieve from our current daily routines and we're already planning our first one which I'm excited about.

14. SET GOALS

The coronavirus may have put a kink in your plans for 2020, but it doesn't mean you can't still achieve some of your goals this year while you're hunkering down inside for a while. Tony Robbins has always said that our happiness is directly tied to our ability to experience progress in our life. Maybe you want to go from being able to do 2 regular push ups to 20 in the next couple weeks or you want to work up to 2 extra miles for your daily run. Maybe you'd love to finish 3 new books (one per week) or try a brand new recipe every single day for dinner. Perhaps you're looking to freshen up your space and your goal is to repaint your bathroom or add an accent wall to your living room or get all of your spring flowers planted in pots on your front porch or backyard to add some cheer. We all need meaningful goals to work towards which will help us keep our sanity and also force us to be productive.

15. GO FOR A DRIVE

While we may not be able to stroll along a beach, enjoy our favorite cafes or bring our kids to the playground (ours are all closed in the city), we can go for a little drive to change the scenery by getting out of the house without technically being "outdoors" or interacting with others. If you're doing the same daily walk around your neighborhood that may get old as the weeks pass. It's amazing how just hopping in your car and driving through a scenic area or parking somewhere in nature can provide a visual refresh. Our go-to has been a local beach just 15 minutes away from home. A nice side bonus being that Lily will often take a nap by the time I've arrived if it's midday or later, so I always pack a good book along with my airpods so that I can read or listen to a podcast as she rests which is a win-win for everyone.

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Social Distancing Etiquette

2020-03-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

Have you been practicing 'social distancing' because of the Covid-19 coronavirus, but simultaneously wondering how exactly to politely communicate it all to those around you? Whether you find yourself needing to turn down requests from friends who are still sending out invitations for girls' brunches, kids' birthday parties (I received 2 for Lily yesterday!) or that client who extends her arm to shake your hand but you're trying to figure out how to politely introduce yourself, build a connection and conduct business without ever sharing germs, my goal is to arm you with the right tips so you're that prepared before you ever find yourself in these situations.

A classy woman likes to be prepared, organized and have a plan, she also strives to make those around her feel comfortable at all times. That said, let's look at 3 specific ways that a modern lady can approach these tricky times with ease and grace.

1. Make it about Them- Instead of expressing personal concerns over how you could potentially contract the virus from someone else, flip it around by showing concern for the recipient by saying "Thank you so much for the invitation, and normally I'd love to join, however I would feel just awful if I unknowingly spread any germs to your family and made them ill". This way, it takes the focus off you and simultaneously shows genuine care which everyone will appreciate.

2. Use Self-Deprecating Humor-While I won't typically recommend that a lady degrade herself or speak unkindly of her personality traits or habits, there are times when a little bit of humor can really lighten the mood and still get your message across. Here are some examples when invited somewhere you cannot attend: "You know me, I've always been the germophobe in the group, I'll have to sit this one out". This can work well if it truly resembles who you are. For that person who is looking for a hug or at the very least, a handshake, you could respond with: "I'm normally such a hugger, but given what's going around right now, I'm greeting everyone with elbow bumps these days!"

3. Defer to an Expert- Unlike personal opinion, facts can't be disputed and sometimes this is the easiest and best way (as it relieves you of having to come up with a creative reply or appear opinionated), and yet still provide useful information to someone who may not be quite as educated and informed as you are on the subject. You can cite everything from your favorite business magazine such as TIME, Newsweek or Forbes to medical-based articles, and of course share stats from the CDC website itself. The key here is to do it in a way that gently informs another without making them feel unintelligent about the subject or as if they themselves are the plague you're looking to steer clear of. If you've been invited to a small church event or business meeting of 6 people and don't feel comfortable, you could site how easily it's transmitted just sitting next to someone else who is unknowingly carrying the virus with the CDC's information or make mention of the spike in cases around your area and suggest a conference call or Skype call if your employer or client isn't up to-the-minute on what's happening. By staying current and being well read, you'll be more prepared and in the know, but benefit from letting the graphs and stats speak for themselves.

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In what ways have you changed the ways you socialize and communicate these details to those you come in contact with?

Thanks for reading!

Karla

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

2020-02-06T14:17:00.004-08:00

CLASSY VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14

Happy February everyone! If you're anything like me, Valentine's Day's day is anything but an after-thought, I consider it to be love month. I had Valentine cards picked out for Lily's classmates a month ago and even bought a fun pack of cards to leave my sweetie a special note of what I love most about him daily up until Feb.14th. It's been fun to lavish him with appreciation, and now he has a little collection he can keep reminding him about what I love most about him.

Since I find that most men are grateful for hints as they choose the perfect gift to show their love and appreciation for us, I always have fun putting together a gift guide of ladylike things I personally love and think every classy woman will enjoy too! Some of these will make great gifts if you're flying solo and opting for a Galentine's celebration instead or just want to love on your bestie or follow though on your promise to yourself this year of being more intentional about self care.

These monogrammed pearl hair pins are such a unique and personalized gesture and I've found that Voluspa candles are as beautiful as they are high quality. They come in the prettiest glass jars, are affordable and their scents are heavenly! We have a few in our home and I love how they enhance my nightstand and coffee table.

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What gifts do you most enjoy receiving for Valentine's Day? I wish you all a beautiful day of love no matter how you choose to celebrate it!

XO
Karla

8 Powerful Books to Read in the New Year

2020-01-01T07:25:00.000-08:00

Happy 2020 Everyone!! I'm so excited about this new year, but more specifically this fresh decade upon us. I have a lot of new posts planned and something I want to share more is the books I recommend (and I want to hear what you're reading too)! A classy woman is always looking for ways to continually learn and educate herself, improve her knowledge in a variety of areas so she can hold an interesting conversation and live a better quality life. I also find that it's quite relaxing to read a real book before bed, instead of an electronic version on my iPad- it's just one of my secrets for a better night's sleep!

Raise your hand if reading more books was on your list of goals for this year! *hand raised over here!* This has been something that I've been more intentional about, especially as I encourage our 6-year-old daughter Lily to sit quietly and read on Saturday mornings with mommy and daddy so we can all begin our day in a relaxed state. Ideally I'd like to be reading one new book I can add to my library every single week (or approximately 50 new books per year), but the reality is that I'm often driving in the car listening to Podcasts as well as audio books along with reading to/having Lily read out loud to us.

During our 2019 summer vacation I got to read a few hard copy books uninterrupted as we lost ourselves in the moment and our surroundings, where were the stunning views in Tuscany. As I added to my list of books I'd happily recommend or gift to others, I decided it was time to share a fresh round of book recommendations with you. As we've entered the new year many wish to hit a reset button of sorts, tackle new goals and clear out old patterns. The books I'm sharing address everything from healthier eating habits to adding more gratitude to your day, they are books I proudly display in my library and my hope is that they will be a welcomed addition to your own bedroom nightstand.

1. The Art of The Good Life- What I love about this book written by Rolf Dobelli (which focuses on the shortcuts to happiness, wealth and success) is that it's broken down into 52 little mini chapters- concepts you can incorporate into your own life and thinking. Rolf couples modern psychology with ancient philosophy which is rooted in Stoicism, so if that's not your thing then this book may not be for you. I found his insights and examples provided refreshing and truly provided food for thought-this book could make for a fun conversation starter as it encourages us to live a more engaged, intentional and authentic life . Dobelli breaks the myth that their is one answer to solve with that you could reach each day or as the topic numbers dictate, you could read a new one each week on a Sunday for example and complete it in a year or finish it in a day. Personally, I have gotten more out of it by not rushing though and instead letting each idea sink it. You can pick it up any time, one to keep on your bookshelf to refer back to your favorite dog-eared chapters when you need a reminder. I also like that this one makes a great gift for virtually anyone male or female and bonus points because it looks pretty on a coffee table. B added his bestselling book "The Art of Thinking Clearly" to our library a few years ago but it's new for me, so I'll be adding that to my reading list.

2. The Universe Has Your Back- I cannot say enough good things about this book written by Gabrielle Bernstein, it is a must-read for everyone in my opinion!! If you follow me on social media you may have seen me share it because it was life-changing for me. I make an effort to practice the power of positive thinking, understand the laws of attraction and faith is a huge part of my life. That said, I was feeling stuck a few years ago as I navigated un-chartered territory: life as a divorced woman and newly single mother who just moved across the country to start fresh. I stumbled upon Gabby's book in a book store one Sunday afternoon around the time I was ready to begin dating. I had so many fears at that time that I would get over in moments and then they'd pop back up again. Being a praying woman, I of course made the bible my main go-to but this was right next to it on my bedside table. I was able to see things differently and noticed amazing shifts taking place. I always knew I was in the driver's seat of my life and had already made many bold moves but this book is one that I've referred back to many times and just recently picked up her Universe Has Your Back 52-card deck of affirmations which are a lot of fun to select a daily card to be reminded up and inspired by. If you have a friend struggling with overcoming certain fears and longing to live in a place of faith, I highly recommend this as a resource.

3. The Clarity Cleanse- I discovered this book by Dr. Habib Sadeghi via a Podcast as several celebrities have read and endorsed it (there is a forward by Gwyneth Paltrow) so I ordered it and decided to read it during our flights while we flew to Europe this summer. I began the first couple chapters of the book at home curled up on the couch but got to more in-depth chapters while traveling. I was so impressed with his ability to make his insight easy to understand, his extensive medical knowledge-the man healed himself of cancer! His story is so inspiring and he unpacks how our unresolved and stored-up emotions actually impact us and express themselves in physical pain, illness and more. As I listened to his story, it struck a nerve and helped me unpack my own deeply-rooted beliefs reminding me of some childhood and teenage experiences I had, it triggered me in a way that I needed but one caution (which was my own fault) is that I do not recommend reading this one in public or during vacation for that matter! It was like having a therapy session while on vacation. LOL. I ended up sobbing during one leg of our trip and it actually brought up some negative feelings I was working through (abandonment issues from my childhood when my parents separated) which in moments didn't positively affect the emotions I had while my sweetie and I were trying to begin a beautiful and relaxing holiday together. That said, I had the good sense to tuck this powerful and transformative read away for the rest of the trip. This book is not a light, fluffy read- it is truly for someone who is ready to do the work of creating clarity and cleansing their life of what no longer serves them, releasing emotions that have unbeknownst to you, held you back. So, if you're ready for that, I believe it's a brilliant guide, causing you to go deeper in a way that I haven't seen other authors do.

4. Judgement Detox- This was my second book by Gabby Bernstein and while I think it's an important read for everyone, it was more challenging and the work was a lot deeper that in her first book I mentioned above. Why I'm ultimately sharing it with you here is because I believe we live in a time where we're surrounded by judgement-we judge others AND ourselves constantly. This book helps us free ourselves of those perceptions and instead align ourselves in a greater place of love and acceptance. While Gabby has shared herself that this is not her most popular book (and one that many don't end up finishing because it requires us to go deeper and deal with our judgement in a way that we're often not ready to give up), if you're ready to do some major self-reflection and release the beliefs that hold you back in life, then this one is a clear winner in my opinion.

5. Everything is Figureoutable- I've long followed Business and Life Coach Marie Forleo via her MarieTV episodes that I found on accident 7 years ago. Her fun, witty style always grabbed my attention while simultaneously adding to my knowledge base as she's filled with incredible insights and advice for business and life. Imagine my excitement when I found out she was writing a book and the very title was named after her famous phrase 'everything is figureoutable' encouraging all of us that there is no challenge or circumstance that can hold us back, we can overcome anything! I digested this book and took away SO many nuggets of wisdom. She herself is proof that it is all possible with dedication, determination and hard work. She deep dives into how exactly to do just that. One of my favorite chapters included the excuses we need to stop using and telling ourselves. Reading the breakdown of just how many hours are dedicated to social media and TV, and how many full 24-hour days of time that translated into if we chose to redirect our efforts and become less distracted struck a nerve and made me ultra-committed to ensuring I don't waste time on things that don't matter. Marie's book touches every area of life and I can't say enough good things about it, plus she is just such an amazing woman and I was proud to support her work by buying this book. Bottom line: Get yourself a copy ASAP, you will be armed with the wisdom you need to achieve all of your dreams!

6. Ketotarian-Switching gears for a moment, let's dive into a fabulous book by Dr. Will Cole for everyone who is looking to add more energy, experience better mental clarity and eliminate brain fog, burn fat, lose weight and keep it off in a healthy, sustainable way following a mostly plant-based approach while doing my favorite thing about keto-eliminating cravings! Anyone who knows me well (or follows my IG stories) knows that I go between the keto diet indulging in grass-fed red meat for the essential minerals I can't balanced out with a huge adoration for the plant-based diet- my body actually craves the flavor and vibrancy of fruit and veggies but I've learned the key to staying full is with healthy fats and a lot of them (especially needed for brain function and to prevent degenerative mental diseases). This book marries the two and balances out both of these for me, plus I get to eat a lot of guac, so there's that! ;) Ketotarian is filled with recipes that are almost entirely plant-based (with a bit of seafood and dairy) however, because I choose to be mostly dairy-free due to allergies, I just omit that when it's called for. So, if you are vegan, vegetarian or prefer a plant-based diet but feel the keto diet could never be for you because you don't eat things like bacon, steak, cheese or coat your veggies in butter, I would recommend reading this for a completely fresh perspective.

7. Celery Juice- Is it just me or was 2019 the year of the celery juicing movement? Some tried it and didn't love the taste, others raved about the incredible benefits that the simple act of juicing one ingredient-celery, had on their body. Anthony William (AKA Medical Medium) wrote this NY Times bestselling book which reveals why celery juice is having such a profound affect in the lives of so many people, particularly those suffering from skin conditions however it extends well beyond eczema, acne and psoriasis. The sodium cluster salts within this humble veggie have already healed millions worldwide. You all know I love my celery juice, I've shared many IG videos of Lily helping me juice and enjoying drinking it with mama. He explains in depth as to how specifically celery juice works within our body and why. I learned so much from him and I consider myself someone who knows far more than the average person with regards to health and wellness as I've studied it for over 20 years. Anthony's instagram feed showcases testimonials of the many people who have reversed disease and improved their life with this one simple change. If you are experiencing any health issues at all, I think his books and free information is incredibly eye opening. He is one of the most truly knowledgeable people in the health space that I've come across and has a following of over 2 Million on Instagram alone. You can prepare celery juice 2 different ways, he explains the 'blender method' as well as using a juicer. I personally prefer the juicer method even though we own a Vitamix that I use daily for smoothies, I don't find the clean up of a juicer to be a pain at all. I tend to make mass batches at once buying several bunches of organic celery instead of juicing daily. This is the juicer that Anthony and I both use which is the masticating type (vs. centrifugal) which allows the juice to be stored for up to 72 hours because of the way it breaks down the juice vs. 24 hours so I only end up juicing about twice per week when consuming it daily, then I use these 32 oz glass mason jars to store them in my fridge. I've had my juicer for 5 years without any issues at all and although it's a bit of an investment, it is the Ferrari of Juicers!

8. Super Attractor- This is my favorite of all Gabby's books and it's her most recent release! I wholeheartedly believe this book will change lives! I read it in a few days, I also picked up the audible copy so I could listen to it while driving in my car which just reinforces the methods and wisdom as daily reminders. That is the beauty of this book, not only is a great one to gift a loved one as we begin 2020 filled with desires in our heart to fulfill, but it is my daily go-to when I feel stuck, as thought I'm caught up in a negative thought pattern and need to redirect and "choose again" -just one method from this gem of a read. Lily and I begin most mornings with the morning mantra inside and I've referred to it on an almost daily basis. If you're looking to manifest amazing things into your life, stop blocking the blessings and opportunities you desire and instead learn how to draw them to you like a magnet, I encourage you to pick up a copy. As many of you know I'm a Christian and this book was not 'new age' to me, it is rooted in the spirit of God/Universe or what we each define it as. The author herself believes in God but doesn't push that on her readers, it is inviting to all. I was honored to get to see her speak live here in San Francisco a few months ago and picked up another autographed copy of her book along with the Super Attractor journal and then I later picked up the Super Attractor 52-card deck of affirmations. Lily and I like to pick 2 cards every single day and now I'm doing the same with her other deck. One day the card I randomly chose moved me to tears as it spoke directly to where I was at in that specific moment. My intention and focus this year is to have more joy and truly listen to my own intuition, I get myself into trouble every time I ignore it.

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One last book I'd like to recommend is this Simply Grateful journal! I gave a copy away during our 30 Day Giving Challenge on Facebook and own a copy myself. It is a beautiful high quality gratitude journal that is sustainably sourced and I can't believe it's only $12! These make great little hostess, birthday or 'just thinking of you gifts'.

Have you read any of these books recommendations? What are you reading right now? I'm always up for something new!

XO
Karla

10 Classy Holiday Gifts Ideas for Him

2019-12-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

1. Massage Gun // 2. Airpods Pro // 3. UGG Slippers // 4. TUMI Backpack // 5. Kiehl's Facial Kit // 6. YETI Mug // 7. Leather Moto Jacket // 8. Whiskey Stones Set // 9. Whiskey City Glasses // 10. Apple Watch ( Series 5)

I'm starting the 2019 Classy Woman's Holiday Gift Guide series with some of the hardest people to shop for-the men in our life! This year, my sweetie has thankfully been more vocal about what he would most enjoy or really needs so it's making my shopping easier. I'm rounding up some tried and true gifts that any guy in your life is sure to love and will use. I've also rounded up the best of today's Cyber Monday deals too, you can find those at the bottom of this post-there are some awesome sales right now including 50% off all Christmas decorating at Target if you're getting ready to decorate your tree and home like I am.

Massage Gun // My hunny asked me to get him one this year after using it after an intense workout, these are more targeted than massage balls and are similar to what you might find in a Chiropractor's office. Perfect if your guy is athletic, making workouts a greater priority this coming year or could use some relief from pain.

Airpods Pro // These are a favorite in our house-not having to untangle wires is a beautiful thing. We both own the regular airpods, however this next generation Pro version offers noise-cancelling capabilities and they fit ears better than the original version. We love ours for air travel, listening to podcasts and audio books while in each other's space and especially at the gym or taking calls with more privacy.

UGG Slippers // Other moccasin slippers may look the same but they are not UGGs. The lambs wool is so soft and cushy and the rubber tread sole is durable enough to wear outdoors, they really last! I bought myself this cute gray pair with leather bow and I literally wear them every single day (even in the summer) because they keep my feet from feeling cold on the hardwood and tile in our home, they are the perfect gift as men usually won't buy themselves slippers.

Tumi Backpack // For my birthday B gifted me with this gorgeous leather women's Tumi backpack and I just love it for its practical yet beautiful design. I first became interested in getting one as he mentioned someone had purchased this one for him as a gift and although at the time he didn't initially think he'd use it a lot, it turned out to be one of the things he uses the most as he travels for business and we use it for weekend road trips along with vacations where it serves as our personal item or carry on (there's even a compartment for a pair of shoes!). Even after a few years' use, his in black looks virtually new thanks to its quality craftsmanship. I love that we're always twinning with our his & hers versions during our trips.

Kiehl's Facial Kit // Especially for the guy who isn't into skincare but knows he should be using something, this is a great introduction. Kiehl's offers quality products that are lightly scented and deliver results. I love their travel kits because they're great for taking essentials away, but they're perfect for discover which full size products your man most prefers.

YETI Mug // Insulated mugs are a great gift and these fit a car cup holder, and given their larger size are the perfect companion to a long morning commute. If we didn't already own these matching (we love to twin) BMW travel mugs, I'd get B one as he does a lot of driving and loves coffee or bone broth for the ride.

Leather Moto Jacket // If you're looking for a classic jacket that won't go out of style, look no further because a black leather moto jacket is where its at. It's a great investment piece that will be a staple in his closet for years to come.

Whiskey Stones // During our first Christmas together I bought B these stones, they are a stylish way of chilling a drink without watering it down. Knowing he loves a good glass of scotch, I couldn't resist and they come in a convenient little bag so you can pop the pair into the freezer door to chill.

City Whiskey Glasses // I love these unique city glasses so much. Each one has the map of a city so if he loves his hometown or the city he attended collage in or simply has a favorite sports team, a pair or set of 4 of these would make a great gift paired with the whiskey stones above. I bought these for B during our first Christmas with San Francisco along with New York (both cities he lived and worked in) and now we call SF home.

Apple Watch (Series 5) // With a built-in fitness app it's perfect for the athletic man in your life who wishes to be hands-free but still get the same information while crushing his fitness goals. It is so much more though, like the iPhone it can receive calls, provide social media notifications, messages, alert and motivate you to stand if you've been sitting too long, you can even adjust the settings to the specific terrain you're on for running indoors/outdoor, spinning or just to count your steps for the day and of course monitor heart rate. There are many more things that it can do, but those are a few beyond telling time and temperature, date etc.

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What holiday gifts have been a hit with your man in the past? Share with us in the comments below. Happy Cyber Week shopping!

Karla

How to Speak with Confidence

2019-10-04T16:55:00.001-07:00

It's pretty easy to spot a person who has confidence when they speak, there is an effortlessness about them, it's not forced and it doesn't sound rehearsed nor do they ramble on. They have a purpose and clarity to their message and there is a certain presence that they command as they are not intimidated by an audience. While a confident communicator is easy to recognize, what is not always as easy to pinpoint is what specifically makes them so. That's what I want to break down for your today so you can become a more effective speaker and an overall more confident, classy woman.

1. Speak Up to Be Heard- If you are coming across as overly quiet and meek, people will quickly tune you out, no matter how valuable your message is. You don't need to yell to raise your voice (that's what microphones are for) but do make sure your voice can be heard and you speak clearly so you're easily understood.

2. Remove Filler Words- Since the goal is to sound like a lady with a point to communicate, it's essential to refrain from using the words 'um, uh huh, uh, yup, yeah, like and other similar sorts of words. Clearly communicate without all the extras and try to keep your message to the point using the greatest range of vocabulary that you can.

3. Maintain Good Posture- If you want to exude confidence, correct posture can go a long way. Sitting or standing up straight and tall with shoulders back (not hunched), chest slightly up and out along with chin up conveys a presence of inner confidence. If you don't feel that way when presenting or speaking in front of a group, try this anyway and your body language will help get your mind into a more confident state. You want to create an inviting presence, not come across as a shrinking violet with her head down.

4. Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously- Be willing to laugh at yourself! If you say something that made more sense in your mind before speaking it or you mispronounce a word or use the wrong word (it happens to the best of us), laughing at yourself or brushing it off will go a long way to appear human and show your truth authentic confidence. You also don't want to be so serious that you lack the ability to be present in the moment or forget to smile while speaking. What you're sharing might in fact be a serious conversation or topic, but even that can be made lighter so others around you feel comfortable, which at the end of the day is the goal of every classy woman.

5. Educate Yourself- It isn't wise to chime in on or talk on end about topics that you don't truly know in depth. In such situations, it's far better to spend time just being an observer and active listener, learning all that you can on the topic at hand versus feeling the need to be a contributor when you don't really have much to add. This is also a great opportunity to learn more by asking thoughtful questions. Everyone has an opinion and they'll all differ from one another, so instead be a woman who brings meaningful insight, facts and experiences to the conversation. A funny story or something that relates is fine, but it's advised to sit quietly. It's always better to remain silent than open your mouth up and prove that you aren't sure what you're talking about. When asked to speak, presenting or in social networking environments, it's best to come armed with a few topics or newsworthy bits that pertain to the event so that you do in fact feel confident speaking to others. In my experience confidence is gained through not only experience, but also increased education whether that be formal or through your own research.

6. Dress Well- When we dress our best, we naturally feel elevated and wonderful about ourselves. That said, dressing well should include fuss-free clothing, shoes and accessories that are not going to take attention away from what we have to say, in turn causing your audience to fixate on your stilettos that appear to be hard to walk in or earrings that are sparkly and distracting. This should always be the goal whether you intend on speaking in front of others or not. If you want to be taken seriously, let's just be honest-hair up in a ponytail with ripped jeans and a tee will not come across as authoritative as someone who has put more thought into their overall appearance and clothing such as a skirt with blazer and simple blouse with pumps. One looks the professional and educated part, while the other may look like casual weekend attire. That said, the opposite can at times also be true if you work in a trendy city or are in the fashion or design industry where this is expected, in which case the aforementioned professional attire would be a bit out of place. Overall, you will never go wrong with being well dressed and erring on the more professional side.

7. Bring Positive Energy- Your authentic energy often enters the room as you walk in before you even open your mouth to speak, so it's important to make sure it's positive. When someone is excited or passionate about what they're sharing, they naturally have a high level of positive energy, this can be heard in their voice through their intonation and a level of enthusiasm for what they're talking about. Happy, positive people also generally have a knack for being problem solvers, their optimism can be contagious and they are far more engaging than someone who brings forth complaints and negativity. We all naturally want to be around others who are happy, light and offer a positive vibe.

8. Practice a Confident Pose- I can't take credit for the superman/wonder woman pose I'm about to mention, it came from a YouTube video of Tony Robbins that I listened to where he reveals that before going on stage, into a boardroom or before an interview, we can use a specific pose to build ourselves up. The idea is to stand with arms and legs spread apart with hands resting on one's waist, which is a pose of confidence and strength. Lifting weights or going for a run earlier in the day before you need to speak are other ideas (and great daily habits) that will allow you to feel in your most peak state. If you've listened to Tony's messages, you'll know he often speaks on how motion creates emotion and just by changing your body's state, you can gain new energy. I have tried this pose along with using a starfish pose (arms out to the sky) and have found it helpful.

A final note: If you are venturing into the world of public speaking, are required to deliver regular presentations to your team or clients at work or just want to improve the way you speak while in larger social settings, one of the best ways to accomplish this is by practicing. They key is consistency, nobody is great at anything from the beginning. The more you educate yourself on a variety of topics by reading books or articles, listening to the news and podcasts, along with regularly conversing with others, the easier this will become. If you are someone who works from home or within an office where you speak to very few people daily, I highly encourage you to find some outlets that offer fun, social experiences such as book clubs, group dinners and anything you can to enhance this skill set.

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What tips have you tried to have a more confident presence when you speak?

XO

*header image

My Experience with the ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet

2019-07-24T15:44:00.004-07:00

Last November a colleague of B's introduced us to a 5-day plant-based program called ProLon. He was really excited and spoke about how he lost weight and had more energy, but we didn't need to take his word for it, the proof was obvious with his clearer, more glowing skin along with his obvious weight loss. We were inspired to learn more about this program that offered such amazing benefits in just 5 short days. I'm not one to jump onto the bandwagon of a new diet or eating program until I've fully researched the benefits and read/heard testimonials. This program is a bit of an investment into your health, so that's just what we did. I loved the fact that everything was made with plant-based ingredients which automatically helps detox and cleanse the body, so we figured we had nothing to lose.

Shortly thereafter my sweetie and I decided to order the ProLon program to give it a try together. We had been planning an upcoming trip during the Christmas holidays to New Zealand and wanted a bit of a jump start on our diet as we had been fairly relaxed with regards to snacking, finding ourselves eating out more than usual and it was all starting to catch up with us! Once our boxes arrived we decided to do the program together and we both noted weight loss (I lost 5 lbs, B lost an incredible 12 lbs!). What we noticed and valued most though wasn't seeing a smaller number on the scale, it was the increased energy levels we both had on far few calories than we were accustomed to, this sparked in us a new appreciation for just how little the human body actually needs to not only survive but thrive! The instructions called for laying low and not adding workouts to an already lower calorie diet so we followed it exactly as it stated (we later learned that workouts on the program were completely okay for us and in fact we preferred that to keep our strength up).

ProLon may appear to be some kind of weight loss magic, however what they pride themselves in most is the science behind longevity-detoxification and keeping body cells healthy to prevent premature aging, promote healthy cell replication as well as provide increased energy which can in turn offer clearer skin and an overall sense of greater wellness. Once we finished our 5 days, we gently transitioned back to regular food the next, this time being more mindful about what we were putting into our bodies and more specifically how much we consumed. I eat a mostly plant-based diet already with some meat and fish, but a goal was to reduce my sugar intake. We also began working out regularly again.

Once we arrived home from our winter vacation we immediately began unpacking moving boxes and getting settled into our new place in San Francisco and found ourselves eating out quite a bit our first week home. We knew we needed to make some changes again. For a couple weeks I would implement a few similar 'ProLon' days involving soups, crackers and lower calories but nothing worked exactly like the program itself, so we decided to order another box. I reached out to ProLon as I was planning to order another box (as was my sweetie) and they generously agreed to sponsor my second round by providing me with a full box and they are offering you a sweet deal also with a coupon code below. Because of the amazing results we both had, I wanted to document it all in greater detail and share my experience with you all. After all, it was in casual conversation with B's colleague that we ended up trying it, and sometimes we discover the greatest products by word of mouth, my hope is that you will find it to be the incredible addition to your healthy lifestyle goals or catalyst for change that it has been for us!

As I'm writing this, we have just returned from Europe where we spent everyday of our summer vacation indulging in everything from croissants in Paris, gelato in Florence to homemade pizza and pasta in Tuscany. While we still incorporated workouts into our time away to compensate for our treats and were mindful of what we ate overall making calculated splurges, the scale doesn't lie and we both still ended up gaining a few pounds so it's Prolon to the rescue again! We're halfway though and just like the very first time trying it we are back to feeling vibrant and lighter. B has already lost an incredible 6.5 pounds after just 2 days and I have lost the 3 that I gained in total. It has now become our secret weapon for bouncing back from vacation and when we've splurged during a weekend getaway trip to Napa.

If you follow along on my instagram stories, you may have seen me posting daily updates of my weigh-in as well as what I was eating and sharing how I felt. If you want to take a peek back at that, even my sweet 5-year-old Lily makes a little appearance. I've shared it in the Instagram Highlights labeled Prolon Fasting right here. Let me break it down for you below...

My 5-Day Experience with Prolon

Day 1: I just want to reiterate that I didn't do this program to lose weight specifically although it is a nice side benefit. However, I will share with you what my 5 days looked like because I don't know anyone who has used this system and has not lost some weight, so perhaps it can provide a reference point. The first day of the program I weighed in at 126.8 lbs. This first day allows for the most calories to transition you to the next few days. I didn't find it challenging because the delicious L-bars are nut-based and very filling as a snack/breakfast for the day. The carefully proportioned fats, fiber and proteins provided through delicious seasoned olives, soups and their yummy kale crackers keep you feeling full, you do not feel deprived. If you're drinking the organic teas provided throughout the day along with water, your brain will naturally receive the message that your body is hydrated and properly nourished and therefore 'full'.

Day 2: I weighted myself in the morning and was 125 lbs which is a bit on the light side for me. I woke up the second day feeling light, full of energy, my tummy felt flatter and my mind was clearer. It may not seem like a lot (especially if you consume about 2,000-2,500 calories per day as I sometimes do including snacks and fancy coffee drinks at times), but today was an 800 calorie day. What makes it sustainable is that the diet includes fat and encourages lots of liquids. Our bodies need either fat or carbohydrates for fuel and this has a nice plant-based balance of both.

Day 3: This day felt harder because we had done a difficult workout routine with a concentration on abdominals (so this may be why they suggest omitting workouts!) Because I wasn't looking to lose weight and had hit where I was comfortable with I did have some cucumber slices and cashews as a supplement as I felt hungrier this day. Had my goal have been seeing a lower number on the scale, I would have been more disciplined and pushed through. That's the great thing about this plan, you can still make minor tweaks (they even recommend cucumber slices per their email encouragement if needed) which I definitely incorporated.

Day 4: My favorite thing today was sipping hot tea and enjoying the choco-crisp L-bar for dessert. A little bit of chocolate and palette change in the evening goes a long way for me, it satisfies my chocolate craving without needing an entire slice of cake!

Day 5: Today was the final day and I reached my goal which was not weight loss but my body feeling lighter, cleaner, my mind is clear and my food cravings have gone way down. When your stomach shrinks back to a more healthy way of eating, this helps prevent overeating.

Day 6 (Transition Day): The day after the cleanse I worked in smoothies, fruit and baked salmon for dinner which kept our meal light so we didn't create a sudden shock to our body like meat would have.

On the 7th day we were back to eating normally once again as our diet is already fairly clean but with the new intention of not overeating. For example, our acai smoothies we used to drink daily were double the size and calories they really needed to be, filled with way too much natural sugars from fruit such as banana, so we instead started to substitute coconut oil and other healthy fats to help prevent us from overeating later on in the day. We were also mindful of portion sizes and committed to sharing entrees while dining out while each having a small appetizer and omitting desserts which are just unnecessary calories.

It's been great, we choose really well and it saves us money too! An interesting side benefit was that while we didn't give up coffee afterwards, we both decided to give up alcohol and we love a good Napa Cabernet! Alcohol slows down the metabolism as your body now puts all of its effort into removing the toxins from your bloodstream instead of burning fat and assimilating nutrients, we figured it was worth a shot and B has gone 2.5 months without any! I have a glass of wine now and then but one thing we both share in common is that we don't crave it and can totally live without it.

The most life-changing aspect of the Prolon Fasting was revealed to me pretty early into the program and that was just how many times I was reaching for a snack, handful of nuts, fruit or even a piece of chocolate not out of hunger but out of boredom or because it had become a habit (such as my late night snacking between dinner and bedtime which was always chocolate or chips and guac). This also really demonstrated to me how we as a society have used food as a form of entertainment and to make us 'feel good' vs. actually using food for fuel, our nutritional needs and to satisfy real hunger. Letting myself become hungry in moments also reminded me to be grateful for all the food I have as I recognize there are people all over the globe who experience true hunger daily. I found myself trusting my body and the program and realized I was eating way too many calories, we can live off less than we think we can. This program was the catalyst to something new B and I are both making part of our daily regimen long after this 5-day experiment that we keep returning to, and that is intermittent fasting. We finish dinner earlier and essentially skip breakfast (we still drink coffee or hot water with lemon) creating a 12-16 hour window where our organs have the time to properly assimilate and digest food and cleanse themselves. You know what? It only took a few days to adjust and my body just feels better, my abs are more visible and I get so much more out of workouts early in the morning with a coffee or two and the absence of a breakfast that usually just makes me feel ill when I run or work out intensely so it's been a win-win.

SHOP THE POST:

PRADA MARFA ART: (smaller version) // BLOUSE: Karl Lagerfeld (old) // JEANS: Express

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If you'd like to experience transformational results too, Prolon is offering Classy Woman readers the following discount codes to use at checkout:

Karla10 for 10% off single orders
Karla10Sub for 10% off subscription orders (3 boxes or more)

Have any of you tried Prolon? What was your favorite result from the program?

This was a long post, thanks for reading!

xo

How to Make Better Decisions

2019-04-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

Decisions, Decisions...we are bombarded with them daily from the monumental to the inconsequential. When you really stop and think about it, our life is shaped by (and ultimately a series of) choices that we have made to get to where we are today- from the city we choose to live in, the school we attended, the career path we've pursued, how much we allocate to our hobbies or working out in a month, the person we call our significant other, the friends we have decided to associate with and in many cases the timing in which we wish to incorporate the more significant events of life such as: when to get married, plan to start trying for a family, the timing of finally turning that hobby or passion project into a full-blown business and everything else in between.

One thing is for sure, in this lifetime we will all experience the feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, confusion, stress or fear at times along with the opposite feelings of possibility that surround it like excitement and anticipation, all of which are components of decision making. My goal for today's post is to get you thinking about how to make better decisions for your own life. I hope your eyes will be opened up to new ideas and tactics that will assist you as you make your most important life decisions so that you're armed with the confidence and conviction to decide without wavering or second guessing yourself, nor experiencing feelings of regret long after your choices have been made.

I vividly remember making one of the hardest decisions that I've ever been faced with...the decision to leave my marriage of nearly 10 years, something I did not take lightly especially with a two-year-old to consider. It was something that I contemplated on a few different occasions due to certain patterns observed over the years, behaviors, and the loneliness that I often felt as we lived apart many times while he traveled overseas along with lack of partnership. I could also see its impact on my sweet little girl and if I wanted her to experience a different and better life, I knew it was up to me to make the bold move so she we could both experience the joy and fullness that life has to offer. If I'm really honest with myself, my gut told me something wasn't quite right the first month following our wedding. I initially disregarded my gut instincts and instead forged ahead making the best of not only a less than ideal situation and relationship, but also dishonored myself and tolerated so many things that I never would have nor did while dating anyone. If I had experienced such things earlier in time, I would never have made such a serious commitment. However, because of that promise and feeling a certain level of shame in not being able to 'make it work', I stayed. I'm grateful to have my beautiful daughter as a result, so not all was lost, there was a purpose for that season of my life.

If you've followed along here for a while, you may have wondered why family posts and life shares came to a grinding halt a few years ago in 2016 both here as well as on social media, it was the year I was faced with reliving my own childhood as I contemplated life as not only a single woman after a decade or being married but also become *gasp* a single mom, following in the footsteps of my own mother. I have sooo much respect for every single mama out there (and I developed a new found admiration for mine), ladies it is hard! After our many conversations I considered her life lessons, regrets and advice. I was also very grateful to have her full support no matter what I decided. Although her and my father's situation, experiences and reasons were entirely different from my own in parting ways, I gained insight from the many conversations she and I had. While I have a wonderful relationship with my mom, I also have an amazingly close relationship with my father and I am eternally grateful for his love and support as he was instrumental in our move to the west coast, I'm thankful to now be living just minutes away from him here in the Bay Area! While I listened to the advice of loved ones along, spent time in prayer and quiet reflection, considered both sides of my decision, read relevant books and sought out wise counsel, what I finally realized I needed the most was to listen to my heart and my gut instinct, to stop drowning out the feelings I felt for so long and truly embrace what I knew I needed to do.

I want to break down the methods I personally use while making decisions because nearly 3 years after taking that big step which included moving across the country, what I know for sure is that although difficult, I felt complete confidence in myself and my decisions which allowed me to squash any fear and instead focus all of my energy and time on the positive: my next steps, the bright future for my daughter and I which I'm currently living out today. And in case you're wondering....in the process of learning the art of better decision making and staying true to myself, at the right time I ended up meeting the most incredible man- my sweetie Byron who is such an awesome, ever-present and loving daddy to our sweet princess, they have built such a beautiful relationship together and it's so precious to see the way she adores him (you can see some of our family adventures on instagram).

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7 Tips for Making Better Decisions

1. Go with Your Gut-There is research proving that our first inclination is typically accurate, after all nobody knows us better than we know ourselves. Often times we intuitively already know the answer even before contemplating our best course of action. We were all given a sense of intuition for a reason, we need only trust it instead of looking outside of ourselves. This may feel different for each person, for me it feels like a sense of peace and in warning scenarios it's a tightening feeling and a sense of uneasiness in my diaphragm, something to pay attention to. You may not be as able to detect such a feeling while you're searching for an answer but I can assure that if you think back to a decision that has gone wrong, you may recall having felt that nagging sense of 'I knew I should have done such and such but didn't listen to my inner wisdom", use this feeling as a guide for making better future decisions. My gut warned me a few months into my marriage that there were red flags, I chose to ignore my gut and instead convinced myself that maybe my expectations were too high and these were just the adjustments to living together under one roof, when in reality I was in an unhealthy relationship. I'm thankful that I ultimately listened to my inner voice, allowing it serve as my guide.

2. Get Clear on Your Values- When we become crystal clear on what our goals and values are, we will be far less likely to operate out of a place of fear. For example, deciding to remain in a romantic relationship with someone that you know is not right for you because it's comfortable and you're not sure if anyone will ever love you again or because you don't want to be single and faced with the dating world again is making a choice for all the wrong reasons and stems from a fear-based mindset. Instead, when we know what we need within a relationship (as well as what we have to offer), the characteristics we would most like our partner to possess as well as what how we wish to feel as a couple, it's far easier to use that as a guide to choose well.

When it comes to what we desire for a career, we can consider aspects as deeply as how we wish to be able to dress for our job everyday, how often we're willing to travel and possibly be away from loved ones or how much time we are willing to invest for the experience, education, salary offered, potential career advancement opportunities down the road, even the type of relationship we'd like to have with our boss or coworkers. Maybe a job offer involves a move out of state to a location that has a completely different climate, is located away from close friends and family, etc. What you decide at 25 will likely be different than what you decide at 40 because as time progresses our goals, dreams and what's important to us will change. It's vital to continually check in and make sure we're making the best decisions for the current lifestyle we lead.

3. Sleep on It- I have slept on every single big decision I have ever made in life and have never regretted it. While the answer won't necessarily be revealed to us in a dream (although I have had that experience a few times!) when we feel tired, stressed and overwhelmed with a variety of emotions and the demands of life is precisely when we need to take a break and give our body and brain some rest. If you can't sleep on it, at the very least commit to spending some quiet time alone in prayer or meditation.

4. Spend Time in Meditation / Prayer- When I face my most difficult challenges in life, I take them to God. Sometimes that means quickly praying in my car before a meeting that I make the best decision for my family or the one that will reveal the highest good for all. I often find tranquility and can clear my mind by sitting in a quiet, dark room or one with relaxing meditation music and sense an answer to a question just come to me. In this noisy world, solitude is greatly beneficial as we struggle to be present in the moment, it allows our brain a reprieve from the many demands upon us and allows us to return to self. Taking a walk in nature is one of my favorite activities, the sounds of ocean waves crashing, birds chirping or leaves crunching under my feet have such a calming effect.

5. Gather Facts- Most decisions are multi-dimensional and affect multiple facets of our life. For example going back to school may impact your entire household's schedule. This in turn may alter our personal life such as how we spend weekends, our significant other and possibly our relationship with them and our children. Due to cost, it can also impact the amount of disposable income available which in turn affects the entire family's happiness in the short term even though the long term goals of great earning power may be a reality. It's important to consider all angles, do some research, speak with others who have had to make similar decisions. Sometimes you'll need to collect far more information than you initially considered (as with contemplating a move overseas) vs. deciding something less involved such as which elementary school your child should attend for example. In my case moving across the country involved moving costs, logistics, a change of career (working for someone else vs. myself), a higher cost of living, closer proximity to my own immediate family, educating myself on preschool and daycare options in a new state along with realizing a better overall quality of life in terms of connecting with nature, climate, outdoor enjoyment, living in a more progressive state-we love having so much at our fingertips here.

6. Create a Deadline- When my dad suffered a massive heart attack a year and a half ago, as his daughter and immediate family who was present, I needed to make quick health decisions on his behalf while he was in the ICU so I didn't have the luxury of pondering options for days endlessly. However, I did have a short defined period to do so. Typically we do have more time on our side, and in such cases I think it's valuable to create an end point whether it's 24 hours, 3 days or a week, I don't think dwelling on something for long stretches of time actually benefit us, most times within about a weeks' time we already know the answer but are just afraid to make the wrong move.

7. Decide, Commit, and Move On- One of the best approaches to decision making is to fully embrace and commit to a choice. There should be no wavering afterward. Don't analyze it later, trust yourself and the decision you've made and just move forward. If you overthink every decision that you make, you will literally drive yourself crazy, and possibly those around you! Living in constant regret is no way to live at all. Be confident that you have made the best possible decision for your life and if you need to pivot at some point in the future, by all means do it, but know that each decision we make will ultimately lead to others, the lessons gathered along the way can only help propel us forward in an even more positive way.

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I'd love to know what strategies you use while facing difficult decisions. What was one of the most challenging ones you've had to make?

XO

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

2019-02-12T18:09:00.000-08:00

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Every Valentine's Day I look forward to showering my loved ones with sweet treats and special gifts. I also feel it's a great reminder to pamper ourselves too! Sometimes as women we can get so caught up with the day-to-day necessities that it's nice to splurge a little on a favorite new lipstick shade, a playful pair of sunglasses or a lacy robe that will make us feel ultra feminine and sexy just to switch things up a bit.

I'm sharing some of my favorite Valentine's Day gift giving ideas for the ladies in your life that can also double as wonderful indulgences for yourself. I received this over-sized Jo Malone candle in peony & blush suede scent over a year ago as a gift from my sweetie (it's also the signature perfume scent I wear daily!) and can't get enough-it really is the perfect gift. Pearl stud earrings are a staple in my jewelry box as well, I probably wear them every other day. This red lace dress is so pretty that I couldn't resist gifting it to myself (I ordered it in black as well), I'm a huge lover of lace and the cut of this dress is oh-so-classy covering in all of the right places. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can wear it on an upcoming date night with my love.

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What are your favorite Valentine's Day gifts to give and receive? What ways do you show yourself some extra love on this special day?

xo

My Favorite Stylish Workout Leggings

2019-02-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

I can still remember a time when yoga pants and workout leggings offered fairly limited options- basic plain black in a full or capri length only, with one particular brand leading the way which also happened to be the most expensive! Thankfully the term athleisure was coined and those days are long behind us now as we have a variety of brands, colors and patterns to choose from now when it comes to activewear. While I do love a perfect-fitting pair of simple black leggings, over the past few years I've 'upped my game' so to speak in the workout department and have opted for more interesting options such as cutouts or textures and incorporating a pop of color with my sneakers or a cute tank or zip up, making getting sweaty much more fun. I snagged this blue Nike zip-up top on sale while we were loading up on hiking gear before heading to New Zealand at Christmas and it has become one of my favorites, I'm already planning to buy it in a few more colors as it's become a layering wardrobe staple lately.

I recently purchased these Alo High Waist Moto Leggings that I've been seeing all over instagram, which are equal parts fashion and function. I love how they are stylish enough to wear with a cute sweater layered over a tank top to provide an edgy vibe but can take you straight to the gym afterwards and there is zero compromise when it comes to comfort, as they offer full stretch and they don't ride up or slide down nor are they see-through at all as some leggings can be-especially important when bending over! I'm excited that they have 7 other color choices because the white version is so pretty and perfect with spring just around the corner!

OUTFIT DETAILS:

LEGGINGS: Alo // TOP: Nike //

SNEAKERS: Nike (color sold out-same style here, similar color here)

SPORTS BRA: LuLulemon // WATER BOTTLE: Life Factory

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When it comes to workouts, while I do wear shorts at times; whether I'm hiking, running, doing a boot camp workout or flexing my ballet muscles in barre class, I'm almost always in a high-waisted yoga pant because they are just so comfortable and cover all the right places properly. They also come in handy when chasing little ones at the park. Lily likes it when I we take a mommy-daughter approach to climbing gyms so they come in handy for playground days too and the design looks like I put in just a little bit more effort into my overall look.

SHOP THIS LOOK:

I hope you're having a great weekend so far and are able to squeeze in a workout however you can! Sometimes all I have time for is a few sets of simple kettlebell exercises in my living room, a quick 15 minute run on the treadmill or a few multi-targeting ab moves such as planking or mountain climbers. Every little bit counts and keeps our momentum going even on the days we aren't able to get in a 'proper' workout. I don't know about you but when I take more than 2 days off to rest in between sweat sessions I personally find it to be SOOO much harder to get back at it again, it's also when I feel my muscles start to stiffen up or become less toned and firm which makes it even more challenging to find the motivation to get moving. For that reason, it's important to do something active for a minimum of 15-20 minutes every single day, even if it's as simple as a brisk walk through your neighborhood.

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I'm always on the hunt for great active wear, so I'd love to hear what your favorite leggings are! Do you have a favorite pair you can't live without? Please share with us in the comments below.

XO
Karla

How to Inspire Chivalry in Men

2018-12-14T17:24:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest complaints I hear from single women navigating our modern day dating world is that they feel there are no quality men left, all the good ones are taken and they have resigned to the fact that chivalry is dead. In some ways, I feel as though this lack of gallantry we so desire is because over time women have, without realizing it, settled for less. Perhaps they haven't received the love, attention and gentlemanly actions or mindfulness from men that they so desire, and as a result they've just bought into the lie that those kinds of men don't exist, and if they do, are very hard to find. While there is no blame here, it's important for both men and women to take responsibility of their own contributions.

As a woman who was raised to be self-sufficient, independent and capable, I have to remind myself daily to lean back into my feminine energy and allow it to shine though. It almost feels like an undoing of what many of us have been taught especially female business professionals who are expected to negotiate, take charge and be a leader. What is feminine energy exactly? It is an allowing, receiving, gentleness and relaxed sense of being vs. the more control-oriented role of masculine energy which is focused on doing, planning, protecting, solving and power. It doesn't mean that women are or should be passive. However, a masculine man by nature will want to please the woman of his affection, he has an innate drive to do so. You can imagine then that if what he offers is rejected, he'll feel as if he cannot make her happy or she doesn't want, need or value his desire to be a gentleman. The more we behave in a loving, gentle and feminine way, the more it will encourage a man to act in his own loving, protective and masculine ways which we women crave. This does not diminish our level of competence, intelligence or strength to essentially be the capable ladies we are, it simply gives him space to be the man he needs to be who desires to love, protect, appreciate, respect and take care of his lady.

It should be every lady's goal to find and align herself with her equal counterpart- a gentleman. I believe there are 4 key ways we as women can encourage the men in our life to act more gentlemanly and I'm going to break them down for you today.

4 WAYS TO ENCOURAGE GENTLEMANLY BEHAVIOR

1. Be a Lady- There is no greater motivation for a man to be a gentleman than when he is in the company of a true lady. While many men go out of their way to impress women during the first few dates and in the beginning of a relationship only to see that diminish over time once he's comfortable, a true gentleman does it from the heart and will continue to do so such as opening the car door for his wife decades into their marriage. He feels a sense of pride in treating women in this way when they are soft, delicate and little-girl-like in moments, speak with a gentle tone, smile, put an effort into their appearance and use good manners.

2. Create Opportunities for Him to Be a Gentleman- Sometimes the best thing in life is to remain silent and quietly observe, step back and wait to see his next move. Allow him the opportunity to take your coat, help you zip up your dress, offer to pump gas at the gas station instead of leaping to do it on your own. We know we're capable of doing such things for ourselves, however there is a joy in experiencing our man doing these things for us, it feels good to be cared for.

3. Be an Encouragement- When we compliment him on what he does that makes us feel good, special or feminine or what is such a huge help ultimately making our life easier (such as cleaning your car or giving you a neck massage), he will naturally want to do more. Positive feedback is what lets your man know what is important to you and where he should spend his efforts. Also a word about comparing him to others (the opposite of sharing your gratitude), avoid ever making him feel that he has to live up to expectations of another. Citing all the wonderful things your best friend's husband does will not motivate him, it will irritate him. Nobody likes to be compared to someone else.

4. Raise Young Ladies & Gentleman-Just as important as it is to teach boys 'ladies first', to hold the door, open a car door or to take a coat from a girl, likewise we must also encourage and remind our little girls to be receptive and thankful to those boys who are little gentlemen in training. I'm not suggesting that we focus on male and female roles where boys play with trucks and girls play with dolls, but in how we treat one another, how we dress, how we receive gifts or someone's kind gestures.

There is a lot to be said about allowing a man to lead. I love my sweetie to feel like a man because it's sexy and allowing him to take charge makes him feel good about himself also, whether it's choosing the restaurant or setting up plans for a date, offering up his seat in a crowded space (to me or another such a pregnant or elderly woman), and just trusting his judgement and expertise in certain areas such as leaning back and letting him negotiate with the sales people while purchasing a new car. Even though we know we're capable, when we go back in history, it's important to recall that men have always been hunter-gatherers, it is in their DNA. I don't know about you but I enjoy the differences and ways men and women can compliment one another.

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In what ways do you inspire chivalry in men? Have you found that your praise and gratitude towards his gentlemanly behavior has made your man want to own that role even more?

Rose Embroidered Top for Fall

2018-10-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

SHOP THIS LOOK:

TOP: Romwe c/o // JEANS: Express ( currently BOGO 75% OFF)

SHOES: Vince Camuto (old -similar here and here | also in pretty olive suede)

CLUTCH: Local Shop (similar here, here and here)

SUNGLASSES: Target old (similar here | Tom Ford) // EARRINGS: Majorca

There is something so cozy and nostalgic about the fall season, it has always been my favorite. Hearing a football game on in the background, sipping mulled apple cider, seeing all of the beautiful colors on the trees, curling up under a fluffy blanket or hearing the sounds of leaves rustle and crunch under my feet as I head out for an evening walk all just remind me how grateful I am to experience this beautiful time of year, a season I missed for nearly a decade while living in the southeast before moving to California 2 years ago.

While many of us gravitate towards lighter and brighter colors during summer, I have to say that as a lover of classic style, black is a staple that I just love wearing year round, and there is nothing better than great fitting black jeans paired with heels, flats or boots during fall! They're easy to dress up or make more casual-a staple in every lady's wardrobe! What I love about this pair is that they hold their shape due to having a bit of stretch and have retained their color really well compared with other black denim I've owned in the past. I recently purchased a second pair on sale and also own 2 pairs in the dark denim wash, both colors are essentials for my fall casual wardrobe. I wear a size 4 long for reference (the long size is awesome for all of us tall girls!) these also come in regular and short lengths.

This rose embroidered ruffle sleeve top has just enough pattern and a pop of color and the best part is it's just under $20! While I could have paired this outfit with a solid black clutch, I find the pattern play against my top along with a red mani adds a playful twist which is perfect for date night or casual Friday at the office.

What's your favorite thing about fall? What pieces are you most excited about wearing this season?

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XO

*This post is brought to you by Romwe. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Classy Woman is Easy to Be Around

2018-10-14T13:56:00.000-07:00

We've all had the experience of being around someone who seems to make every interaction a difficult and uncomfortable one. Many times it's due to their inability to express what they need, and as a result have unmet expectations, or they're simply too demanding and/or negative and ultimately draining to be around. As a result, most of us try to steer clear of such people or at the very least keep our interactions with them to a minimum.

Conversely, there are those who are easy to be around-flexible with their plans and methods, relaxed, understanding, and are not easily upset. It's these type of people whom I most enjoy building relationships with and being in the company of, and it's also the very attitude and presence I strive to bring with me into my own interactions with others.

A classy woman is easy to be around. She brings value to her interactions with others, making time spent more enjoyable and memorable for everyone, which is why she often finds herself on the invite list for various events. It's just one of the many reasons why others feel at ease in her presence.

8 Tips for Being Easy to Be Around

1. Stay Positive- One of the hallmarks of being easy to be around is to remain positive, even when others are not. This is critical in a working environment as it's easy to go down a rabbit hole with everyone around you stating their complaints and challenges. Be the person who offers a smile, a solution and identifies what can be gained/learned in a challenging situation instead of focusing on a problem or whose fault it is. This attitude is equally as important within our personal relationships as we are all responsible for the energy that we bring to any space.

2. Be Flexible- If you had your heart set on Mexican food and now find yourself dining out at a Thai Restaurant because that was the general consensus of the group, go with the flow and don't complain! Instead, choose to be agreeable vs. difficult because at the end of the day these small details don't matter. It's the company we're with and not the cuisine that is most important. There will be plenty of times in the future to munch on tacos and enjoy guac + chips. When a person digs their heels in (even just silently which is observed through their body language) it becomes obvious to the group and makes for an uncomfortable time. This is intimately tied to the next point which is not creating expectations in our mind in the first place.

3. Avoid Creating Expectations- My dad has a saying "If you don't create expectations, you can't be disappointed." When we choose not to create expectations in our mind of how an event or experience should/could be, we won't feel let down if it doesn't go precisely as planned out in our mind. When we experience something as it comes, we can truly enjoy the moment and be present vs. wishing it were different than it is. Let's be honest, sometimes when things don't go according to plan they turn out far better than what we had planned on. The key is to let go of the need to be in control and just enjoy how things unfold whether we're on a date with a special someone, away on a girls-only trip or working with colleagues to set up a company event. It's good to have a plan but even the best laid plans can change at a moment's notice.

4. Be Gracious- Whether someone cancels plans with you last minute due to an emergency or a guest at your dinner party accidentally breaks your favorite vase, give them grace as we will all need it from time to time. I remember a few months back while sitting on my boyfriend's cream-colored twill sofa where we were watching a late movie. I was quite tired and started to nod off with a half glass of red wine in hand. I think you can see where this is going... my arm relaxed and I ended up spilling red wine all over the sofa including our shirts! I was mortified and he softly said "It's okay sweetie, it's only a couch." I felt relieved by his reaction as we both got up to clean it. It's this gentleness that has always made me feel valued and loved by him because I know that he understands what truly matters. I think Maya Angelou's quote sums this up well: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel".

5. Practice Active Listening- We all want to feel heard, seen and as though we matter. Be present in the moment and make eye contact with others. When someone is sharing a story or revealing the difficulties they're currently facing, it's important to remain quiet so they feel listened to and refrain from interrupting. Pay attention to their body language as well. Paraphrasing, summarizing and asking questions are great ways to show the person/people in your presence that you've heard them and are in fact interested in what they have to say. So often now I find people are glued to their phones, checking text messages or social media, active listening and being present in the moment seems to have become somewhat of a lost art. Being in the company of someone who truly listens is so rare, it's also quite refreshing when we encounter it.

6. Be Fun to Be Around- Being laid back in nature and open to the excitement and surprises of life is one of the sure-fire ways to be easy to be around. One way to do this is to be open to possibilities, activities, especially things that take you outside of your comfort zone. Sharing experiences with others is what allows us to connect, it also creates wonderful memories to look back upon as we build relationships with others. I find this particularly true in romantic relationships. Last year we went skydiving together in Costa Rica and it's an experience we'll never forget. A sense of humor is a must and sometimes that means laughing at yourself. Be willing to look silly and share stories that lighten the mood. Be on the lookout for ideas, places and activities that you haven't experienced before, life is too short to stay inside our comfort zone, the fun comes from stepping outside that box.

7. Be Reliable- When building relationships in business or within our personal life, it is imperative that others can count on us, trust us and that we show ourselves to be reliable. I once had a friend who would cancel last minute on myself as well as several of our other friends. We all almost came to expect her "sorry" phone call as a small group of us met at a cafe for lunch or a fun outing, even when she herself was the one who initiated the idea! Life's not perfect of course, we all have things that come up last minute here and there, however it's important to be mindful of others by keeping set plans and showing up on time.

8. Look for Ways to Be Helpful- Most of us know that when we've been invited to another person's home for a dinner party or event, it's only polite to ask the host if they need any assistance. Their responsibilities are many and it just feels good to contribute in some small way. This is the attitude we should lead with at all times. If we see a single mama friend struggling with her children and seems burned out, offering to babysit one evening so she has a few hours to herself child-free to regroup is a priceless gesture. If your man has been working extended hours in the office or on a particular project, step out of your feminine energy momentarily and become the 'planner' who makes a dinner reservation or organizes a fun evening once he's free again (without needing to ask for his input, because the last thing he needs at a busy and stressful time is another task!), this way he can unwind and feel comfortable in your presence. Essentially, view someone else's struggles, challenges and limitations as an opportunity to lighten their burden and step in when you can.

I'd love to hear from you! What ways do you make an effort to be easy to be around?

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TMBR Wood Watch Review

2018-05-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, TMBR wood watches reached out to me to collaborate. While I enjoy such partnerships, I'm very particular about what I share with you all here because authenticity is important to me and as such, anything I share with you has to be a natural fit into my mostly classic wardrobe as well as something I'd truly recommend. After having the opportunity to wear it on a few different occasions, I can say that my new rose gold wood-face helm watch fits that bill, TMBR also has a handful of other beautiful women's wood watches. What I like most is that it's so versatile for everyday wear because the face is light and simple, the brown leather band adds a bit of a casual aesthetic but the rose gold balances it out as it adds a feminine vibe, it's also affordable at under $100. A classy woman should invest in a few different watches for her wardrobe to coordinate with various outfits. I like how this one is different than the others I already own, a great addition to my collection. Here's a look that I wore recently on a cooler California day.

It's no secret I love the weather here in the Bay Area, one day we'll get an 85-degree dose of blazing sunshine perfect for spring days by the pool, and the next we'll be back into the 60's and layering up once again. I wouldn't have it any other way-I appreciate the variety as I really enjoy wearing layers. I wore this outfit a couple weeks ago to check in on a few properties we were staging that happened to be under renovation. As much as I gravitate to heels for my professional attire there are days where I have the ability to dress down more casually and flats just make more sense in terms of safety. I've been living in these sneakers lately, especially walking up and down steep hills in San Francisco, while in homes under construction still and while on-the-go with my busy preschooler. Although I often use my phone to keep time when running from appointment to appointment, I still prefer to wear a watch, so this one has become the perfect addition to wear on more casual days.

My sweetie could tell you that I've literally been living in these skinny jeans on weekends, which you may have noticed if you follow my insta stories. I purchased them in black as well as the dark wash several months ago and wear them so often that I just bought another identical pair of each color as they're currently 40% OFF right now so it's like getting a pair for free. They have great stretch, fit true to size (for reference I'm wearing a size 4 tall). It's hard for me to find long jeans that fit like a glove in a longer length so when I discovered these which are super soft and comfortable, I knew I'd be buying them in more colors-they also come in white which is a staple for summer. For the past couple months I think I've worn this Tory Burch bag nearly every day as I love the adjustable strap which can be worn longer over the shoulder, cross-body or doubled up like I'm wearing it here. It's the perfect size, fits all of my necessities and is so versatile that I can go from a day of client meetings in a dress or suit to dressing up a pair of jeans after hours, it is the perfect classic go-to bag in my opinion.

SHOP THIS LOOK:

TANK TOP: Old (similar here and here) // JEANS: Express (40% OFF)
JACKET: Bagatelle (similar blush jackets here , here and here)

SHOES: Kenneth Cole sold out (similar Kenneth Cole here, similar here)

HANDBAG: Tory Burch (similar here, here, here) // WATCH: TMBR Watches

SUNGLASSES: Kate Spade aviators // EARRINGS: Nadri // BELT: Merona

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XO

*In partnership with TMBR Wood Watches. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

February Classy Fashion Favorites

2018-02-28T17:00:00.000-08:00

Happy early spring! The weather here in the Bay Area has ranged from the 50's to the low-70's. While I've mostly been bundled up in a scarf and coat for chilly early mornings, I did get to shed those layers to enjoy my first dip in the pool a couple weeks ago! That said, I'm sharing a mix of both cooler weather staples such as classic coats coupled with swimwear as many plan an escape from the cold and we move towards open-toed shoes once again.

A few notable trends for springs are: black & white gingham paired with denim, ruffles, stripes, the colors lavender as well as yellow (particularly a hue of golden mustard) and accentuated sleeves of all types. As always, I like to work in a few trends while maintaining a classic aesthetic that can be enjoyed for many years to come. You can shop any of the looks below or get more details by clicking on any image in the boutique.

SHOP THE SALE:

ANN TAYLOR: 40% OFF your purchase

BANANA REPUBLIC: 40% OFF regular-price items w/code: BRFAMILY

BAUBLEBAR: 25% OFF w/code: FF25

EXPRESS: Extra 30% off clearance

J.CREW: 30% OFF w/code: WORKIT

LOFT: 40% OFF everything w/code: NEWNOW

LORD & TAYLOR: Up to 40% w/code: FASHION

NEIMAN MARCUS: Extra 20% OFF sale + clearance

NORDSTROM: 25-50% OFF sale

SHOPBOP: 20% OFF

WHITE HOUSE BLACK MARKET: 30% OFF select dresses

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Thank you for stopping by!

XO

25 Characteristics of a Gentleman

2017-11-17T13:00:00.004-08:00

A classy woman always strives to offer the very best of herself, and in turn, she also expects that level of excellence to be reciprocated by others, especially the leading man in her life. When it comes to dating and whom she will choose to spend her time with (and ultimately her future), she is very selective which both respects her time as well as her potential date's. At first glance, many men may appear to be a suitable partner or come across as a gentleman, for her to later discover it was a show put on over the course of a few dates. As many of us have learned, it is only through the consistency of both time and experience that we will get to know someone's true character, behavior, thought process and values. Not unlike the spirit of a lady, being a gentleman is a lifestyle-one must live it and not simply act like one, when needed.

I'm sharing what I believe are the 25 Characteristics of a Gentleman as I've received countless inquiries pertaining to dating advice and how to identify when you've found the right partner and what truly constitutes a man of honor.

25 Characteristics of a Gentleman

1. Polite- The words please, thank you, you're welcome, no thank you, after you, and I've got this are all part of his daily conversations. He is well spoken, well mannered in his tone and is able to navigate both social and professional situations with ease, grace and consistency. He remembers to push in his chair (and pull yours out for you). He always holds the door open for others and is keenly aware that he should always walk closest to the road while you're walking together on a sidewalk. He leaves his surroundings as he found them or in better condition, he waits his turn to speak, offers to pour water or wine for others at a table first before ever serving himself and greets everyone he meets with a smile and positive attitude.

2. Considerate- Being mindful of others' time and schedules means that he will RSVP to events in a timely manner. Similarly, he is thoughtful in setting up a first date with the woman he's interested in days in advance (3 days is ideal) instead of asking the evening prior or the day of. As a relationship progresses, so will the consistency in which a couple sees one another and they develop a schedule together, at that time spontaneous dates will inevitably take place and become something to look forward to. He also values others' personal property and treats it as his own whether he's renting a car or borrowing tools from a friend. He is kind to everyone he meets whether they are the CEO, receptionist or the janitor, and treats everyone with respect, especially those who can do nothing for him.

3. Confident- A gentleman is anything but arrogant, he doesn't feel the need to prove himself to anyone, his life and accomplishments speak for themselves. His posture and body language communicate a strong presence and convey his preferences. He is always quick to give a firm handshake and look others in the eye. When it comes to romance, he confidently asks a woman out and suggests a date/time/place to meet and follows though, even though this may be the one area he may experience feeling a bit anxious about if he's particularly fond of a woman. He is just as confident in the bedroom as he is in the boardroom, taking charge yet making his lady feel comfortable, focusing on her while staying present in the moment instead of focusing on any areas of his own insecurity. It is this feeling of his capability that puts a woman at ease and makes her feel protected and as though he has everything under control. Time spent in 'preparation' is what allows him to feel the most assured whether he's taking an important exam, getting ready for a business meeting or in anticipation of being introduced to his lady's friends and/or family for the first time.

4. Chivalrous-Being gallant is a way of life, it's part of his DNA. He opens doors, he provides her with his jacket when she's cold, picks her up to take her out on a date, often drives to her side of town, offers to carry her bags, he gives up his seat in the presence of women/children on public transit, he doesn't walk ahead of his lady-he walks beside her as her equal, he sits after she sits, he helps put on/take her coat off, he walks beside her closest to the street while walking side-by-side on a sidewalk showing his desire to protect her, he holds an umbrella over her when it rains. He also walks her home or to her car no matter the time of day, he keeps her secrets, listens to her and compliments her genuinely. In all that he does, he aims to be her protector and make her feel safe and comfortable in his presence.

5. Well Groomed- For him, personal hygiene is a priority and he puts thought and effort into his overall look. He knows when to arrive clean shaven and when it's acceptable to reveal a rugged look sporting facial hair or a 5 o'clock shadow. He has taken the time to find a quality tailor, dry cleaner and barber. He uses cologne sparingly, always a signature scent that has become his own and he has learned that women are attracted to and intoxicated by a man's scent (in the same way that men are visually attracted to them), so he makes every effort to smell fresh. A gentleman aims to have soft, healthy skin and makes quality skincare part of his daily routine including sun protection. His health and overall fitness regimen are a priority to him-he exercises regularly and takes care of himself being mindful of what he consumes as all of this contributes to his peak performance and physique. He pays attention to the finer details that other men ignore and is consistent- a woman knows what to expect from him when she arrives to meet him.

6. He Takes the Lead-A gentleman is old fashioned and traditional by nature and as such, he gets a kick out of planning and enjoys taking charge and the element of surprise. He researches restaurants or venues he hasn't been to before to ensure the best possible experience for his date or friends visiting from out of town, he calls ahead and makes a reservation, he makes it his duty to plan out the details. While he need not be responsible for the planning for every single date (as things progress into a relationship it becomes more of a collaborative effort), he never loses the thrill of taking his lady by the hand and showing her a good time. While we live in modern times, a gentleman always makes the first move from asking a woman out on their first date, leaning in for the first kiss, following up to find out when he can see her again (should he desire to do so) through to asking her to become his girlfriend and ultimately later proposing marriage. When a man and woman both opt to bring their masculine energy to the table by each attempting to take charge, it creates the opposite of harmony. For a relationship to be successful, there needs to be polarity and as it is with dancing, only one can successfully take the lead and that role is reserved for the man.

7. Patient- He may be impatient in his intent to close a business deal, but a gentleman is never pushy or brash. In dating and romantic relationships he takes his time, focusing on building something with longevity vs. selfishly fulfilling his immediate personal desires. He never rushes or pressures a woman into anything she is not yet ready for when it comes to intimacy and in fact won't even mention the word 'sex' or elude to it the first few dates until he receives reciprocal feelings of desire from her. Even then he does not have expectations, he waits for the right timing and doesn't follow arbitrary societal rules for dating such as the 'third date'. For the rare circumstance where she is struggling to get out the door on time for an event they will attend together, he does not badger her to 'hurry up' or raise his voice that they'll be late, he patiently waits knowing that a lady is mindful of the time and is doing her best. He is calm in the presence of children and the elderly understanding their limitations, and when needed and he sees someone struggling, he offers to be of assistance.

8. Committed to Personal Growth-He is curious about life, is well read and desires to get the most out of each day. He reads books that both fuel his passion coupled with others that challenge areas which he's becoming more acquainted with. He is educated and recognizes that knowledge is power. Regardless of his chosen career path, he believes in the concept of cultivating a lifelong learner mentality and is continually striving to better himself. A gentleman believes in doing 'the work', he zeros in on the pivotal moments as well as gaining wisdom from the mistakes of his past and is consciously committed to growing and attempting his next steps from a better angle instead of repeating history, even if it stretches him in ways that are uncomfortable. He aims to remove the limitations in his life that may be holding him back whether they be emotional, mental, physical, financial, sexual, spiritual or social by seeking the help of an expert. A gentleman does not view his asking for help as a sign of weakness, on the contrary, he can comprehend that it takes a strong man to recognize and ask for help when it's required. He subscribes to the notion that there is a force greater than himself whether he defines that as God, the Universe, or something else. He recognizes that we are all here to fulfill our greatest potential and purpose and be of benefit to others along the way-this knowledge is ever-present and at the forefront of every decision he makes.

9. Humble-You will never find a gentleman bragging about his latest raise at work, posting photos to social media of his brand new sports car or rhyming off a list of his professional or personal accomplishments to everyone he meets. Instead, he shares when asked questions and knows that even if his level of intellect is higher than those that surround him, he never makes others feel inferior to him by using jargon or speaking above those in his presence. He is mindful of where he started and how far he has come and never takes any opportunities or successes for granted. A gentleman is always grateful and accepts a compliment but doesn't linger there, he is equally swift in migrating to another topic of conversation.

10. Discreet-A gentleman values privacy. He keeps the details of his income, love life and any upcoming career moves private. He knows not to kiss and tell, that the intimate moments he shares with his lady are intended to be just that-meant to be enjoyed between the two of them, recognizing that when other people are privy to the details, it no longer feels quite so special and it is a sign of disrespect. While out, he does not loudly announce that he will pick up the tab for a large group or draw attention to himself as to build up his ego. Instead, he aims to do things in a quiet and unnoticed manner. He does not repeat rumors or gossip about others, because of his discretion, he is considered trustworthy. When he is out with his lady, he knows how to take her breath away by kissing her and whisking her aside in a private area out of public view-the elements of romance, surprise and danger are a captivating combination, but he is careful not to make others uncomfortable with overt public displays of affection that are best experienced behind closed doors.

11. Hard Working- A noble man takes pride in his work, he is passionate about it and as such, people speak well of him, he's responsible, reliable, trustworthy and loyal in the workplace. His colleagues can count on him to deliver when he says he will. While he dedicates a great deal of time to his craft, he also understands balance and is careful to temper having a social life with spending an exhausting amount of hours in the office. He is not afraid to stretch himself outside of his comfort zone and assist others in ways that may be unfamiliar to him. If he's asked, like everything else he aims to do with excellence, he gives a new challenge a wink and his best attempt. He is in control of his financial situation, his future is at the forefront of his mind and he has measurable goals that he is working towards.

12. Punctual- Whether he's showing up for a job interview, a dinner party, to catch a flight or a second date, a gentleman never wastes the time of another. Rather, he makes it his goal to leave earlier than necessary so that he arrives promptly, and feels fresh, erring on the side of early. Since he respects others' time, if he's going to be late, he'll call or send a message to let the other person know he'll be late and to what degree, so they can plan accordingly. His ability to arrive on time dictates not only his opportunities in life but conveys a level of respect that lets others know he can be trusted and that he respects others.

13. Loyal- A gentleman makes it his mission to keep his word and therefore does not make promises if he thinks there may be a possibility that he cannot keep them. People feel comfortable in his presence and view him as a confidant with wise advice to offer, a listening ear, always careful to keep personal matters discreet. In romantic relationships he does not lead a woman on by saying he'll call if he doesn't intend to follow up or tell her he loves her if he in fact does not, merely saying so to advance the relationship sexually. His lady feels at ease in his presence, safe and cared for, knowing that she can entrust him with her heart, the most private details of her life as well as her body. She can count on him at all times when she may require his assistance and she doesn't think twice about him spending time in the company of another woman in the workplace or socially as he has already proven himself to be trustworthy.

14. Positive- He is upbeat and excited about where his life is headed as well as the man he has become, because a gentleman realizes that the course of his future is in his own hands. His zest for life is infectious and attracts others to him. How he regards the world and himself come from his inner confidence and abilities that he possesses. He chooses to see the best in others and also in the most challenging of situations. After demanding days he bounces back and knows that ultimately the universe has his back. While he feels comfortable sharing the not so glamorous real life details of his life with those closest to him, he doesn't feel sorry for himself. He listens to others' insight and decides to make the most of any difficult circumstance he may find himself in.

15. Generous- One characteristic of a gentleman that many take notice of is his sense of generosity with his time, resources as well as his wisdom. He is always willing to help a friend in need in any way he can sharing his time and providing insight when asked. Whether he's getting his hair trimmed or taking the woman in his life out on the town, he errs on the side of being considerate with his tipping-he is always willing to pay for good service. He recognizes that one of the benefits of having worked hard and achieved success is that he can share it with others. He is aware that the things in life we accumulate are here today and gone tomorrow and as such he values experiences and time spent with those he cares about over accumulating 'things'. His generous nature also causes him to volunteer some of his time to worthy causes that are close to his heart.

16. Attentive Listener-He knows that he can glean the most wisdom by stopping to listen to what others have to say instead of doing all the talking, it's a sign of respect and he is ever mindful not to interject or interrupt while someone is sharing their story. It is only by inquiring that we really get to know others and a gentleman has a keen desire to find out more especially when it comes to someone he is dating and getting to know or his leading lady. On a date he asks her deeper questions that truly allow him to know her on another level in a way that others may not. Because of his superior listening skills, others often feel as though they're the only person in the room as he asks thoughtful questions that cause them to feel special in friendships, among family members and in his business dealings.

17. Grateful- Living a positive life, being humble and feeling a sense of gratitude all go hand in hand. A gentleman knows that not everyone may not be as fortunate to have the kind of life and experiences that he has had, and he does not take them for granted. He is aware that his thankful spirit actually creates more abundance. He acknowledges both the immense and little things in life as well as special people and moments that bring him joy and is thankful for them, often conveying that to others. Those in his inner circle feel loved and appreciated and are inspired by him.

18. Well Dressed-While fashion may not come naturally to every man, he endeavors to learn more about how to dress and present himself and create his own personal sense of style that works for him and his body type, he isn't swayed by trends or labels. He recognizes what appropriate attire is for every occasion. is careful to press his clothing (he will never show up in wrinkled jeans or dress pants). A gentleman understands that while looks aren't everything, taking pride in his appearance, in the way he dresses, grooms and carries himself will open new doors of opportunity to him. He knows that he'll never get a second chance to make that first impression, so he pays particular attention to those 'firsts' in his life such as an initial date, an interview or meeting a new client. He believes that one can never be overdressed or over-educated and as such, he often stands out in a crowd with his obvious classic style and yet seamlessly blends in at the same time with his unpretentious nature.

19. Passionate-There is nothing sexier than a man who is passionate about his work, his family, the woman in his life or the very essence of experiencing daily life. A gentleman knows that he creates his future, it does not fall into his lap. He actively pursues the very things that bring him immense joy, reaching goals are important to him. When he is consumed with passion towards something, those around him cannot help but absorb his energy. This very vitality whether a zest for his life's work or sexual passion with his partner are important to him-he knows that this form of self expression is what keeps him connected to his work, his woman, his family or a cause close to his heart.

20. Charitable-He understands that his life is about contributing to the service of others and not only about serving himself. With this mindset and his strong convictions, he makes enriching other's lives a priority and part of his plan for success. He is giving of his time, finances when allowable as well as other resources that he feels privileged to have the opportunity to provide to those in need.

21. Inspiring- It goes without saying that a true gentleman sets himself apart just by being himself, his goal is never to fit in and conform. The qualities he possess become magnified especially when contrasted by men who do not make the same efforts and diligence. Other men in his presence may not understand his ways initially, but are taken aback by the way in which he treats females and their response to his charm and chivalry. He is a shining example to his male counterparts which both encourages and inspires more gentlemanly behavior. His work ethic, commitment and focus as well as the way in which he treats those around him encourage and bring forth a desire for other men to better themselves because of his example.

22. Well spoken-He knows how to communicate and is also a great listener. He is well versed in connecting with others and is aware of how to get his message across. A gentleman works to enrich his ever-expanding vocabulary both in written correspondence as well as conversing with others. He strives to express himself in a way that is anything but basic. He is specific in his delivery, enunciates words properly, does not use slang and speaks clearly.

23. Uses Proper Etiquette-Every gentleman knows that good manners and everyday etiquette are the cornerstones of who he is and will carry him throughout life. Understanding which fork to use while dining is just as important as deciding upon the appropriate wedding gift for a friend or understanding how to reply (or not) when someone speaks rudely to him. He knows that it is his good manners and civility which allow others to feel respected by him and more comfortable in his presence which is ultimately the goal of etiquette.

24. Possesses Self Control-Restraint separates the boys from the men. Anyone can take on an entitlement mindset, seek out immediate gratification or react harshly, but it is the true gentleman who not only thinks his actions through before reacting; considering the consequences, but whom also is considerate of those he interacts with. He is a planner, and therefore proactive by nature, being reactive is something he tries to avoid at all costs. He guards his tongue, envisions himself in another's circumstances and always operates from a place of kindness. Likewise, he isn't frivolous, he doesn't gamble away his life's savings during a low point in his life, he knows that resorting to physical violence does not solve a disagreement, and when it comes to his romantic life, although he may experience temptation in the presence of another woman who is not his lady, he stays focused and keeps his eyes and hands to himself, careful not to flirt with other women or become overly friendly in a way that would lead them on.

25. Open-Minded- Although a gentleman always adheres to certain societal rules in order to stay in right conduct, he is not so legalistic that he cannot have an open mind. In fact, he is realistic and understands that life is not always easy nor perfect and that everyone he crosses paths with possesses their own unique story. As such, he is liberal in his thinking, accepting of others including himself. Although someone may engage in a completely different lifestyle, he does not judge, for him it is all about understanding so that he can be more sensitive to other's feelings. He is not a dull gent who only thrives on routine, he enjoys a healthy, well rounded and adventurous life which often includes travel, exploring, engaging in new experiences that take him out of his comfort zone and he recognizes that our culturally-rich and diverse world is one to be appreciated and enjoyed, learning from those who celebrate different religions and culture. While he lives by his own specific standards and values that serve him, he doesn't impose them on others.

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From your own perspective, what characteristics stand out in your mind when you think of a gentleman? Which of these qualities do you most wish men possessed more of today? If you liked this article, please share it with a friend or leave a comment below.

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XO

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