Styled by 5: Rad Swim

4.06.2017

Styled by 5 is taking a little summer break, but not before we leave you with one final look from one of my top swim companies ever. Rad Swim. If you don't know them, then prepare to find some of the cutest suits you have EVER seen.

Swim season has arrived! And that means it is time to show off your cute suits at the pool, at the lake, at the beach, and all of the above. Wait.... you don't have a cute suit!? Well I am here to help you out. Rad Swim is going to make all your swimmer dreams come true. They have everything, but these peplums are their newest and I am in loveeee!







Swimsuit: Rad Swim
Coverup: Honey & Lace
Sunnies: Forever 21

This peplum comes in different colors and cuts. I picked the pink peplum with reversible high wait bottoms. But I was so torn when I was picking because I loved the black and cinderella colors too. No matter what, I was high waist bottoms all the way though because I am a big fan of that cut these days.

Aince we are all sharing the same piece on a different body type here is a reminder of my sizing – I am 5’9″ and I generally wear a 10/12 – 10 on a good day, 12 on a not good day… you understand, right? So I ordered this swimsuit in a size XL. Normally I can get by with a Large, but I feel like these suits are cut a little slimmer - and this size is perfect for me. I love sharing my style with you, but I also want you to see clothing I style in other body types so you can find what is best for you. So feel free to check out how KaylynnBethanyJacque, and Lauryn styled this outfit as well! And watch for a new piece of clothing styled by 5 every month.

Styled by 5: Daniel Wellington

2.09.2017

The monthly Styled by 5 is here, and this month we are switching it up a bit. Usually we style a piece of clothing, but this month we styled an accessory which makes it even more fun. Check out how we all styled our own Daniel Wellington


I have been trying to make an effort to wear watches more. There are two reasons why. First, I like the ability of having the time on my wrist so I am not tethered to my phone at all times of the day. That one should be self explanatory, but I am already on my phone enough running my business that any chance to not rely on the phone is good to me. Second, I have been reading lots of articles about how most successful people wear watches. That rings loud in my head because of the business I previously mentioned. Obviously, I want that to be successful so if a watch helps me on that path - then I am in! 





Top: Fashion 15 Below
Jacket: Pink Blush
Leggings: Sweet Legs
Scarf: Soel
Shoes: Nordstrom Rack

I always have a really hard time deciding what color of watch band to get... but after a lot of thinking and debating, I went with a brown band because I knew I could wear that with blacks and browns and blues. Black is pretty but it is hard to put it with a blue or tan outfit, however a dark brown I feel like I can work into any outfit as long as I take a little cheetah into the ensemble. So I paired my all black with a cheetah scarf and brown booties and the watch was the perfect detail to tie it all together on a rainy day.

Normally this is where I share my sizes and what I ordered and how I felt it fit... but since this is a watch, there isn't a ton to say. So I am just going to cut that part out altogether on this post! So feel free to check out how KaylynnBethanyJacque, and Lauryn styled this outfit as well! And watch for a new piece of clothing styled by 5 every month.

UncommonGoods for Valentine's Day

2.07.2017

Are you one of those people that is always trying to thinks of a good idea for some Valentine's Day gifts? Well... let me help you out with some unique ideas. Coming in hot with a bunch of ideas that very all from UncommonGoods. And if you are wondering what UncommonGoods is, let me fill you in! Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, UncommonGoods is a privately-owned retailerthat endeavors to feature unique jewelry, designer décor, tabletop items, and handcrafted gifts created in harmony with the environment without harm to animals or people. So if you want something more than jewelry, even though they have that too - here are some other unique ideas for you!



Food is the way to the heart. And this one is something I would LOVE. A microwave popcorn popper? Sayyyy what!? Enjoy the fresh, healthy taste of stovetop popcorn with the convenience of the microwave. Made from temperature safe borosilicate glass, the main container can be filled with whole kernel corn and then microwaved without the use of oil. Like a little butter on your popcorn? The silicone lid doubles as a kernel measurer and butter melter--simply put a pat of butter on the lid while the popcorn is popping to enjoy a delicious snack.



Let them know how much you love them with the A-Z How Do I Love Thee? How do I love thee? Let me count the ways from A to Z by creating this sweet fill-in love letter. Whether surprising your loved one "just because" or celebrating a special anniversary, this thoughtful book makes it easy to speak from the heart. With 26 prompts laid out in a delightful typewriter font, reminisce about your most romantic moments and inside jokes while complementing your significant other's endearing quirks and charms. This complimentary keepsake will remind your one and only why you're smitten.



What is best after a long day? A FOOT MASSAGE! Especially if your loved one is always on their feet. This rock-and-roll reflexology set will be music to your feet. A way to give yourself an effective foot massage, the smooth soapstone balls can be used heated for just a quick few minutes at home to provide relaxation and relief to tired feet. Place one ball at a time in the cork base and, while sitting, massage the most tender points of the soles of your feet.

Alright. So these are just a few. And if you are a guy here for your lady, don't forget to check out a few more ideas for her here. Don't fall behind this Valentine's Day. Be a winner!




The Bachelor: Season 21, Episode 5

2.06.2017


I am going to be very honest with you. I missed the first 15 minutes because Meg and I was so invested in good conversation and the amazing dinner she had cooked for us that we didn't even realize it was 7pm. So if something crazy happened or something you feel like I should comment on... it isn't going to happen. Because I was eating some really great lasagna. But I am also assuming nothing happened that I needed to see because usually they spend the first 7 minutes recapping the season as if I am an idiot and cannot remember that Corinne and Taylor got in a fight and Nick has already slept with someone but sent them home, and there was a bouncy house.

Oh wait. Something did happen. It can be summed up with this...



Alright. So there is that. And then we take it into the house. And the rose ceremony. And since when do episodes start with a rose ceremony!? ABC! You were supposed to give me all the closure I needed every Monday. Quit with the carry over. And mostly I am just really sad that cute school teach Sarah went home because I really liked her.

Next up. One on one with Rachel. They have good chemistry. Rachel shakes what her mama gave her. And in a very public parade... like I was surprised how much she was willing to shake on live TV through New Orleans. And also as they headed through town the girls were able to watch them all make out from their hotel. How convenient. They ended the night with a special dinner and inside some Mardi Gras floats. She is a great girl. They work well together. I like them together. And that is about where I feel.



Alright. Now to the creepy and crazy group date. When I think New Orleans I totally think Haunted Plantation. WRONG. That is not what I think. Yet somehow that is where they went and landed. I feel like Nick was trying to hint to Shark girl that was the plan when he asked her about ghosts the week before. Basically it was a really good opportunity to stage some stuff and tell the girls that it was haunted. Some of that very easily could have been a ghost... but not really. Because ghosts don't cut down chandeliers on live television. They are smarter than that. And they usually don't move chairs a whole foot. It is more like an inch or two. But it was a great opportunity to make the girls say crazy things like "Ghost tell me if I am staying, oh it is flickering, we are fine...." Okkkkkayy.... Weird. Lots of weird. Oh, I almost forgot. The Ouija board. Not a fan. 


However. There were some great moments. Like Shark girl kissing N. Cage. Raven accidently said she loved Nick. And it was really cute and I think she is the greatest. Like, every week I like her a little more. And then he gave the rose to Danielle M.


Okay. And now the real great part of the episode. THE TWO ON ONE WITH THE TWO GIRLS THAT HATE EACH OTHER! Of course, we knew this was coming. Because it is always the two people that dislike each other that go on the two on one. Need a reminder? Alex and Chad. Kardashley and friend in the badlands. Twin and Olivia. You get the drill right? So let's send Taylor and Corinne. They got this. And seriously, the most romantic two on one straight to the bayou on a gator boat! keyyyyyyyUTE!

Basically this date turned into some weird stuff really fast. Because while one girl was getting her cards read the other one was telling Nick about all the mean things the other one had done. However, I will say. In this moment I felt like I like Corinne better because she might have exaggerated what Taylor said - but I really do think Taylor basically called her stupid. And I don't think Taylor realized that she was talking down. And then Corinne got all creepy and asked for a voodoo doll. Super promising. 

Then we get to let the girls sit there and fight while Nick is... somewhere? And they basically just say that the other one is lying and then Taylor tries some crazy reverse psychology to make Corinne feel bad but she isn't having it....



The Nick comes in to save the day! And then just as I was saying, "Well at least we know he isn't going to leave anyone here because they will get eaten by alligators...." He left Taylor there. And I was surprised because I honestly felt like based on the tattle tail sesh they would both be left.

Then while Corinne is showing lots of side boob as they go to dinner it pans back to Taylor getting... blesssed or cleansed or something by the lady voodoo and then walking straight to dinner to speak her peace. How did she know where they were having dinner? Must be the voodoo magic she got.

And that is where we end. Because, once again... they didn't leave me with a rose ceremony to talk about outfits and such. Which is so rude.

Some Thoughts from the Mirror

2.03.2017

When you look at yourself in the mirror, how do you feel? What do you see? Have you ever sent yourself out to face the day, thinking to yourself “oh yeah, I’m looking good”? 

Many of us hoped that the obsession with appearance, the self-consciousness and the attempts to change our looks would all go away with adolescence. I was hoping that I would never have another zit after the age of 18. 

Yeah. That really did not work out. 

I have a tendency to vacillate between thinking that I look awesome, and being really down on myself about my appearance. There are some days when I get distracted by my own reflection, and think, “wow, what a babe!” and other days when all I can see are the bags under my eyes and the way that my nose is just way too big and pointy. And then, of course, there’s preoccupation with weight. I mean… I’ve been trying to lose 10 pounds for the past 5 years. And somehow, even when I do lose 10 pounds, it seems like I should probably get rid of 10 more.


So how much of this can be blamed on modern media, which is always telling me that I need to look a certain way in order to be acceptable? How far should I go to look better, and how much should I just come to terms with the way I look and block out all the naysaying voices? 

Have You Ever Heard About Body Dysmorphic Disorder? 

This disorder takes self-consciousness to a clinical level. It’s a mental disorder characterized by disproportionate preoccupation with a perceived flaw. This “flaw” might be ridiculously exaggerated in the person’s head, or it might not be present at all. What’s so interesting about learning about body dysmorphic disorder (or BDD) is that so many of the symptoms sound familiar to everyone. The difference between normal self-consciousness and BDD is when the self-consciousness leads to mental and physical health problems, like eating disorders, anxiety disorders like depression or social anxiety, continuous cosmetic surgery, or the like. It can be triggered by puberty, hair loss, or a breakup.


What’s amazing is that BDD affects all ages, and all body types. It even affects men and women about evenly. The best treatment for BDD isn’t pills or changes in appearance. It’s cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches the patient to recognize harmful and mistaken thought patterns and counter them with constructive thinking instead.


Self-Image Doesn’t Have Much to Do with Actual Looks

What always stuns me about self-image and self-perception is that how severe we are on ourselves has nothing to do with how good-looking we actually are (or how attracted others are to us). 

I have one friend who is the most beautiful person I know in real life. I secretly hate how good she’s always looked in a swimsuit. And yet, she’s the only person in my close acquaintance who has decided to get breast augmentation. She’s the only one who decided that she’d undergo surgery in order to change her appearance, which I already thought was perfect. 

This report on body image states a great point: “Perhaps surprisingly, given that their physique is closest to the stereotype masculine ideal, male body-builders experience greater dissatisfaction with their appearance than almost any other males.” The same report also states that more than half of women see a distorted image of themselves. This is supported when women are asked to look at a chart of silhouettes of the female form, from lowest weight to highest. When asked to point out the ideal, they’re usually pointing at a figure weighing significantly less than what men point out as the ideal. Furthermore, when women are asked to point out where they fall on the chart, they usually choose a figure weighing much more they they do themselves. 

These studies (and uncountable anecdotal evidence) teach us an important lesson: how good we feel about ourselves has much less to do with how we look than what’s going on in our heads. 

Of Course, You Want to Look Good

What’s your approach to diet-time? I’ve tried a few techniques, including putting reminders on the fridge, envisioning pictures of me weighing less, and even wearing my favorite bathing suit every morning to remind myself of the extra pounds that I wanted to rid myself of. Many of our diets have most to do with punishing ourselves for the way we look. 

But check out this study. It changed the way I’m going to diet, forever. It found that feeling good about your body image, or even better, “reducing its importance in one’s personal life” (i.e. just not thinking about it so much!) made it much easier to for women to regulate their eating habits. 

How Do You Counter Negative Thinking and Messages? 

Having learned all of this about self-perception, I’m curious to hear from you. What techniques have you found the most effective in countering negative self-image? One method that I like to use is remembering all the amazing things that my body can do. Like Regina Spektor’s song says, “I’ve got a perfect body, but sometimes I forget / I’ve got a perfect body, cause my eyelashes catch my sweat.”

Here are a couple other things that help me. How about you? 

By Christine Hill

The Bachelor: Season 21, Episode 1-4

1.26.2017

Alright. So obviously I took some time away from blogging. If you didn't know that, then just click back in my posts and you will see I have posted like once a month for the last five months. That is fine. And when Bachelor started up again I thought, I should blog about this. And then I missed my review of the women and no one said anything... so I was like meh, no one cares. I am fine not blogging. But THEN in the last week I have had a handful of people message me to ask for my blog URL to read my reviews, or ask where my posts were, or be like Deidre... are you even watching this season? Well let me tell you something I AM WATCHING. And now I am reviewing again. Because I would hate to let my four followers down.

So since I am a little late, I am just going to recap all my thoughts up to this point and then I will start my weekly summaries for you. How do you like that? I like it too.


First, let's talk about something. Does anyone else feel like they are throwing random girls into the rose ceremony every week? Or is that just me? I feel like every rose ceremony I am just sitting there thinking... wait. Who is that? Where did she come from? And I think that not even when it just pans by them.... I think it when they are going to tell Nick YES for the rose. How did she get a rose when I didn't even know she existed!? Okay. I just needed to throw that out there.


Now, for obvi - let's just focus on the characters.

Nick. I love you. I hate you. I like you. I reallllly dislike you. Okay. Wait? Why did you win me over to watch this season and then just let me down. Are the producers really paying you that much to act like a straight fool? I am just so blown away by some of the things he says and does and how awkward he is. Is he getting paid to be awkward? I feel bad because I feel like a lot of my awesome top picks are too good for the kid. I don't know. I am still a fence person for Nick.

My tops are Vanessa, the Danielles, Sarah, and Raven is really starting to grow on me.

Wait. Before I talk about my tops... let's talk about Liz. What!? That was so awkward that she showed up and was like "we slept together but I dont know if he remembers me...." so I am confused why she would announce that on TV. Was she there because of money? Or for plot twist? Or because she really liked him? All so weird.


Okay. Back to the tops. Vanessa. I LOVE her because she totally called Nick out on his crap. I didn't think I would love her this much, but I do. She is classy and she has got it together. Danielles are both great - one is a mega babe and the other just seems like a genuinely wonderful woman. And then Sarah is just the cutest. And I really started to like Raven after her one on one with Nick and their chemistry was incredible. I am sure lots of other people really like these women too so I won't dive into these ones too much.

Now let's talk about Jasmine G, aka Gabrielle Union, I really like that spicy girl. I thought she had a good opportunity to be the villian. But she just seems like a semi diva that likes to get all up in that drama.

Taylor makes me like eeeeekkk....... I cant.

Shark girl. LOVE YOU FOREVER.


And Jospehine, girl girl girl. She is that quirky girl that you are like is she cool or is she strange. I can't decide. One thing though, she looks like a girl that could do really well on ANTM. Like Tyra would love her because she would photograph so well. You know?

Okay. The real girl you are wanting to talk about. Corinne. Whhhhhat? She is female Chad. So if you had any ill feels towards Chad you probably also have them towards Corinne. These are the things I have seen that I think best represent my feelings towards her. "Corinne cannot be a real human! I think she is a plant." And then, "I think Corinne's parents just gave her a copy of Sims and said run the business." Yes and yes. She is gutsy and crazy. And I think she knows they made her the villian so she is getting crazy and crazy and crazy and she eats a lot of chicken nuggets. Come to think about it. She is sort of like a toddler - she likes chicken nuggets and naps and attention. So it makes sense she has a nanny. I am getting it now!


Alright. That is it. Wrapped up. All my thoughts up to this point. Now get ready for a week by week recap and let's rock this joint.

Stripes and Pocket

1.25.2017

I am a big stripes fan. And I am a big pockets fan. So when I was presented with the most COMFORTABLE - seriously, so comfy - dress that had both. I was in. So in it was insane. I have always had my eye on Junie Blake dresses because they are so stylish and they are modest and they are all the good things. I have been able to wear this one so many times for different occasions, but of all of them this styling is my fave.




Dress: Junie Blake
Duster: Pink Blush
Booties: Nordstrom Rack

So I usually don't do the top knot, but I felt like a top knot tied this whole thing together to give it a more trendy look rather than a conservative dressy look. Does that make sense? So for example - I wore my hair down and really pretty with some heels instead of booties for a dinner party. I wore this for a fun day out with my friends. It is as easy as that to swap a look in and out. 

But no matter what way you style it, this dress is beautiful and I am obsessed with it. Next on my list is a fun leopard dress that Junie Blake released last month. And now I need it. 

Styled by 5: Sweet Legs

1.12.2017

Next up? Styled by 5! I know, you were really hoping to see more of me and my girls sharing one item in multiple stylish ways. Well, I won't leave you hanging. Let's do this!


This month we teamed up with Sweet Legs to share every girl's favorite fashion item, black leggings. And let me tell you, a good pair of black leggings are hard to come by. Lots of times they are too short, too see through, or show just a little too much. Or they cut in the wrong place. Or you get the idea... they can be tough! But I got my Sweet Legs pair and I am in love. They wear nice and they feel nice. The fabric is so soft it feels like butter.




Leggings: Sweet Legs
Top: Nordstrom Rack
Hat: Jane
Shoes: Famous Footwear

My plan this month was to go super casual to show how you can wear leggings for a busy day of comfort while still looking put together. Does that make sense? I feel like people either feel like leggings need to look like workout or like they are meant to be worn every day. And I say, hey they are amazing so why feel like we need to wear a tunic and a statement necklace to draw away from the leggings!? Enjoy life. So I paired it with a statement sweatershirt, sneaks, and a hat. An outfit that says I want to be comfortable for errands but I also don't plan to workout. You dig, right?

Since we are all sharing the same piece on a different body type here is a reminder of my sizing – I am 5’9″ and I generally wear a 10/12 – 10 on a good day, 12 on a not good day… you understand, right? So I ordered these leggings in the "One Size", sometimes I debate going plus but one size tends to work. The leggings have been great. I dont have any issues with them being see through and they fit long which I appreciate being tall. I love sharing my style with you, but I also want you to see clothing I style in other body types so you can find what is best for you. So feel free to check out how KaylynnBethanyJacque, and Lauryn styled this outfit as well! And watch for a new piece of clothing styled by 5 every month.


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